Guess the flower....

[BjornBee]

This flower is not hard, but thought it would be nice for the new beekeepers to know what it is. Its about to bloom. Bees and many butterflies work it. For those who are not experts, any guesses......

http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x...ictures019.jpg

[dcross]

I have that in my garden

[BjornBee]

Its the one plant/flower that does not weed wacked in my apiaries.....

http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x...eepictures.jpg

[Walliebee]

Hummm, I guess we are all experts here! I'm surprised no one has chimmed in. I'm sure my good friend Joe Pye would know!

[Ron Young]

I really do not know, but is it Smartweed?

[Ron Young]

No more guessing and no answers either?

[Walliebee]

It's called Joe-Pye Weed. It's in the aster family and the genus Eupatorium. (u-pa'tor-e-um) There are about 60 different species of it. The one in the picture looks to be Eupatorium maculatum. All are good nectar plants. They always attract a wide variety of butterflies, bees, and wasps. Loads of fun to watch.

It perfers areas of consistant mositure and makes a great addition to the back of a flower garden. There are several cultivars like 'Bartered Bride', 'Gateway', 'Little Joe' available at garden centers.