Combat the Bee Crisis

Want bees? Plant agastache. This type of hyssop attracts bees in droves. Last year I bought dozens of plants on fall clearance at Lowe's, and in the cool weather, plopped them in a hedge formation along with some bedraggled Russian sage. Just look now!

I also planted some monarda bee balm to bring the lovlies swarming but it has yet to bloom this season. And then there's butterfly weed, which blooms all about in the ditches but is impossible to dig up and replant without killing the poor thing.

But this agastache comes highly recommended--my new favorite--drought resistant, tough as weeds, beautiful, and emits a heady licorice/aniseed fragrance.

Any one else have personal bee favorites?

--As a side, I may be absent from Wazoo for the next week or so, as I will be at the beach with all my good family, eating amazing food, swallowing salt water, trying to get sand out of Elspeth's cheeks, jumping waves and watching my sister and the men bodysurf, slathering with sunscreen, and playing crazy charades. Loonytunes, all of them. Martin is out at this very moment collecting armfuls of produce to take with us. Live nearby? Know Wazoo? PLEASE come by and pick yourselves some food while we're gone! And zinnias!