My Blooms (post pics)

[buzzbee]

This is a pic forwarded by livefreeordie

He has told me it is wild Rhododendron.

[Livefreeordie]

Thank you for posting that for me.

We have a very dense growth of wild rhododendron in this area for 20 miles in either direction, the hillsides are covered with it, that picture was the first week of May last year while morel hunting. I am not sure how much of a factor it is to honeybees though if any.

[buzzbee]

Is this different from Mountain laurel?

[Livefreeordie]

Is this different from Mountain laurel?

Yes, very different. I know the Mountain Laurel, and we do have that here as well, but not in near the numbers of the wild Rhododendron. The Rhodo looks just like the kind in everyone's yard, except the wild variety has less blooms per plant, although still covered, and all I have seen is white and a pale pink. The plant is also much bigger and more gangly that the cultivated variety. But it literally covers some of the hillsides, especially those with streams.

[sc-bee]

Rhododendron nectar to my understanding makes poison honey. It is referred to in these parts as mother-in-law honey !

The bees usually don't work it if another source is available. Last year in SC it was a bad year and I understand the bees worked it heavy due to no other choice.

[AllenF]

Here is a site on rhododendron poisoning.                 http://www.rhodyman.net/rhodytox.html

Don't put your bees where that is the only thing around.