It might look all pretty on the surface, but don’t be deceived. There’s a fierce and brutal competition going on in local gardens these days. Many plants depend on insects for cross-pollination in order to ensure the survival of their species. With such high stakes, it’s inevitable that some are going to be more successful than others at attracting pollinators to their blooms. Take rhododendrons for example. Locally, it’s difficult to find a residential street where these showy non-native ornamental shrubs are not in bloom this week.
What does a plant have to do to get some attention from flying insects? Look bright and beautiful for starters. And this is something rhododendrons do especially well. So well in fact that they distract many pollinators from visiting our less showy native species. Canadian bees probably haven’t heard about the poisonous ‘mad honey’ that’s created with the nectar of rhododendrons. (See more in Wikipedia’s entry on Grayanotoxin). They simply target the most spectacular blooms and tuck in.
Many gardeners too likely don’t know that the petals and leaves of common rhododendrons are poisonous and can prove deadly to livestock and children if ingested.
While attracting a good share of pollinators during the daytime, white flowers also catch the attention of night-flying moths with their subtle scent. What wonderful flying creatures are drawn to these alluring blooms under the moonlight?
In many countries around the globe, common rhododendrons are now considered an invasive species as they’ve taken over the natural understory in some forests. (See the Wikipedia entry on Rhododendron ponticum). In the past year, I’ve found two invasive rhododendrons growing in otherwise wild areas on my property. If they start crowding out the native plants, will I become a rhodi-basher in the years to come? I hope not, but it can be a jungle out there.
June 18th to the 24th 2012 is International Pollinator Week. Do you know what’s going on in your garden? For more information, see Pollination Canada.
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2012.
I never would have thought about this before. Yes, you see rhodos everywhere in bloom right now–that’s why they’re so popular–there’s not much else with such showing blooms this time of year. Some gardeners seem addicted to them! I don’t have any in my garden, but always assumed I’d get a few eventually, I just haven’t been able to fork over the money for any yet (even the small ones can be around $80! which is more than I am willing to pay for a plant at this point). Now I am rethinking their place in my long-term garden plans.
Grace, I didn’t think about it either, until this past week. I planted rhododendrons around the cover of my septic tank several years ago to camouflage it. I chose rhododendrons because their leaves are evergreen and waited until mid-summer when the prices were reduced at garden centers. I paid about $10 for each plant back then.
There goes my theory that we can get rid of invasive species by eating them. It’s just as well I don’t garden. I’d never get any sleep at all. I’m not even going to think about poison honey.
Gerry, it boggles the mind. Gardeners try to control nature which seems like a ridiculous task when you look at the big picture.
The butterfly was a nice surprise after the bees.
Martina, it was a surprise for me too, as was its furriness.
“Mad Honey” hmm. LOL. Thanks!
Eva, mad honey (thought to be made from rhododendron nectar) was used both as a hallucinogen and a deadly poison in Ancient Greece. Who knew?
I had no idea that rhododendrons are an invasive species – they are so lovely. I’ve been told that honeysuckle is also. Sigh… It would be nice to find a nursery that only sells native plants – it would make gardening decisions so much easier to make. Thanks for the valuable information.
Barbara, earlier this week I was wondering how much of a feat it would be to only have native species growing in my yard. At least everything would then be thriving.