Sun flowers

I have been really pleased this year that 9 out of the eleven sunflowers I planted have exceded 6 foot (my height). Not bad for sunflowers grown in a pot.

They have been visited by a few bees, but have been particularly attractive to hoverflies, often as many as six just on one flower.

Winter bees and hoverflies

A nice clear (if cold) sunny day, very welcome after all the rain and gales. A red admiral flew around the garden looking for nectar. Two large bees visited the hebe which is still in flower.

One appeared to be a large buff tailed bumble bee posibly a queen) and a large red tailed bumble bee, which flew off before I could get a close look.

There were also numerous hoveflies also visting the hebe.