In February, if it is not raining and the temperature is around 10 degrees or more then the honey bees will be flying, looking for food. They do not hibernate during the winter but keep warm by clustering together in their hive. They feed on their honey stores and if the hive is managed by bee keepers they also have a sugar block called foundation to eat.
But with the first bit of warmth they are out and about buzzing in the gardens.
You may think there is not much food for them in February, but if you grow the right plants the garden will be buzzing .
Snowdrops are wonderful at this time of year, brightening up the dullest spot and full of nectar and pollen for the bees.
The special varieties of snowdrop are also good food for bees, this is Diggory.
Crocus and Hellebore are a good food source.
Mistletoe, the almost insignificant flowers are easily spotted when you hear the buzzing coming from the branches that are covered in mistletoe.
Sarcococca, again like the mistletoe, the flowers are very small but the scent is amazing. Planted beside a path you can smell them several metres away and as you get closer the buzzing sound announces that the bees are feeding.
