Japanese Honeysuckle And Bumble Bees

@CarolDM (203422)

Nashville, Tennessee

May 24, 2023 10:47am CST

My Japanese honeysuckle continues to grow each year. It started out as a small 8-inch plant on my back fence around 2007. Now it has covered the entire back section of my fence. So happy to see it flourish. It grows wild here in Tennessee and many consider it invasive. I enjoy it very much and would like more. Many winged visitors love the sweet smelling nectar on this plant. I snapped photos and there is a video below as well from yesterday. The bumble bees arrived and are enjoying it very much. Since there is suppose to be a decline in bees, they are always welcome in my yard. Hummingbirds and butterflies have been visiting the blooms as well. So much going on in my yard. The female bluebird is busy incubating her eggs for the next 12 days or so. Many blooms are showing themselves each day it seems. Hope you are all doing well. I will catch up as time permits. Included my YouTube video below. I had to move slowly not to disturb all the bees. I will do another video soon, without the weed eater this time. The bees were very busy going after the nectar. A great feeling to provide food for the critters. They bring my joy and happiness for sure.

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38 responses

@LadyDuck (469488)

• Switzerland

24 May 23

My Japanese honeysuckle is also in bloom. I was looking today at the bees and bumble bees flying around and sucking the nectar from the flowers. Thank you for this beautiful video.

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@LadyDuck (469488)

• Switzerland

24 May 23

@CarolDM Mine has done the same, it is covering a large part of the fence. All my neighbors were mowing today.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

@LadyDuck That is great. And yes many mowers are going here too.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

That is great Anna. I love the smell. Mine is growing and has covered about 6-7 feet on the fence. And thank you for watching my video. It ran over, and wasn't planning on the weed eater, but tis the season.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16305)

• Raurkela, India

25 May 23

Those are beautiful flowers. A garden full of flowers and birds brings joy and happiness. I really feel happy here in Kolkata where my son stays in an apartment which has a lovely garden and a pond close to it.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16305)

• Raurkela, India

1 Jun 23

@CarolDM Flowers and green do bring happiness and keep the surroundings cool.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Jun 23

@aninditasen Yes, nature has much to offer.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

31 May 23

Thanks, I enjoy these each year. They absolutely do bring joy and happiness.

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@allknowing (134103)

• India

25 May 23

Nice video. We get these bumble bees on our blue trumpet flowers. Being invaders I had to get rid of them but now I see a new vine again.

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@allknowing (134103)

• India

25 May 23

@CarolDM I like watching them too

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

@allknowing Love that shade of blue.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

Thanks, I really enjoy watching them in the blooms.

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@RebeccasFarm (89231)

• Arvada, Colorado

24 May 23

Oh just gorgeous Carol. Enjoy your day now. Cant see here because of the fires from Canada. Smokey.

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@RebeccasFarm (89231)

• Arvada, Colorado

24 May 23

@CarolDM Oh its okay..surely there will be some wind to blow it away eventually thanks

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

@RebeccasFarm I hope so and very soon.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

Thank you so much. Too bad about the fires there. Take care.

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@DaddyEvil (137234)

• United States

24 May 23

We have honeysuckle blooming in the forest at the end of our yard... I didn't see any bees around it when I mowed day before yesterday, though. Japanese honeysuckle is pretty... I definitely wouldn't get close to it with all the bees around it.

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@DaddyEvil (137234)

• United States

24 May 23

@CarolDM At the other house we had a huge clump of honeysuckle on one end of the front porch. I never saw hummingbirds around it but did see a few bees once in a while. I planted it when we first moved into that house and love the smell of honeysuckle blooming. The honeysuckle in the forest just came up by itself two or three years ago. We didn't have any when we moved in and it's still small plants back there now. I think it gets too much shade in the forest to do well.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

@DaddyEvil Glad you enjoyed the smell too. The butterflies like it as well. This one grows wild in TN but I bought a small cutting and it has taken off. This one gets a lot of sun. Maybe that is why it is thriving.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

Oh good to hear. I love the smell. Takes me back to my childhood every time. Many bumble bees right now and the hummingbirds are around too. I shot the 3-minute video and was safe. Staying still and moving slow are the key favorites around bees. They could care less about me being there. But I do respect their space.

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@moffittjc (121382)

• Gainesville, Florida

24 May 23

My azaleas are in full bloom and are covered with the big bumble bees. It’s always good to see bees thriving.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

My azaleas have bloomed and are almost gone now. I remember how huge they were in Mobile and they always had the Azalea Trail Maids in their different colored dresses. I love seeing the bees.

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@moffittjc (121382)

• Gainesville, Florida

25 May 23

@CarolDM My azaleas bloomed late this year for some reason. I love seeing all the bees too.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

@moffittjc The azaleas don't last long enough but are pretty.

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@ptrikha_2 (46736)

• India

24 May 23

A well shot video ! The picture says a lot too ! Anything that helps increase the population of Bumble Bees is welcome. A happening garden indeed !

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

Thanks. I apologize for the noisy weed eater in the background but many are out working in their yards now. I agree about encouraging the bees. We need them. I appreciate you taking the time to watch the video.

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@ptrikha_2 (46736)

• India

25 May 23

@CarolDM I perhaps didn't pay attention to the weed eater !!

Here we got rains and it has got the mercury down. It is good since the peak had touched 43.5 C.

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@Juliaacv (50757)

• Canada

24 May 23

You can really see how lush the greenery is, it does make a good cover for the fence behind it. I don't know who is happier, the bees or the flowers. It is a nice scene.

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@Juliaacv (50757)

• Canada

24 May 23

@CarolDM Its such a pretty area, I love the bit of privacy and seclusion that it provides.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

@Juliaacv Another of my favorite spots to visit. The privacy fence and deck are beside it as well. I will have to do a larger shot next time so you can see the layout.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

Thanks, all the rain we had really helped. I didn't plan on the weed eater in the video. Oh well. I enjoy this section of the yard a lot. The hummingbirds do as well.

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@kobesbuddy (78885)

• East Tawas, Michigan

25 May 23

I was wondering about the bluebirds, that nest in your yard, Carol! You always enjoy this so much and I look forward to your photos and daily updates

I wonder if your elderly neighbor man has another nest, on his outdoor window ledge:) He will certainly enjoy that!

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@kobesbuddy (78885)

• East Tawas, Michigan

26 May 23

@CarolDM I used to be here every day, but not lately. I pop in about once a day, but don't do a lot of reading any more.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

I have written two posts so far about the bluebirds. Five eggs are in the house now. I am not here daily and do not write daily like I did, I take more breaks lately. I have not heard my neighbor mention a bird nest, he has planted tomato plants and is keeping up his late wife's garden. It is beautiful. Thanks for asking!

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 May 23

@kobesbuddy You are missed but i understand. It helps to take breaks.

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@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

24 May 23

Love Honeysuckles, and it’s good to see bees out enjoying the nectar. Hopefully bees are making a come back.

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@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

25 May 23

@CarolDM So do I, we need our bees.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

@RubyHawk Yes we do.

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

I enjoy these too. The bees are here every year in my yard. Have not seen a decline. Hope it stays that way.

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@LindaOHio (174650)

• United States

25 May 23

Love the video and the photo. The landscaper planted two butterfly bushes (our request) right in front of the window. I'm hoping some hummingbirds visit. Have a great day.

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@LindaOHio (174650)

• United States

25 May 23

@CarolDM You're very welcome. The plants have perked up a little since the watering.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

@LindaOHio Oh good to hear. You will enjoy the hummingbirds soon.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

Thanks so much for watching the video. I think the winter has gotten one of my butterfly bushes. So sad. But the other one is making a comeback. The hummingbirds and butterflies will love the bushes.

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@dgobucks226 (35362)

•

27 May 23

Springtime brings out all our favorite friends doesn't it. Many of my trees and plants are in full bloom now. Although what I call my "butterfly and bee" tree does not have blooms just yet. When it does it will be filled with those critters.

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@dgobucks226 (35362)

•

27 May 23

@CarolDM I had a bush that looked like it was done after one of our harsh winters. But like magic the year after it came back and is fine. So, perhaps there is hope

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

@dgobucks226 There is always hope I say. And a little early in the season still, so we will see.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

27 May 23

Love this, thank you! Absolutely, my friends always show up this time of year. Butterflies will be here soon. One of my butterfly bushes doesn't look like it will make a comeback, but there is still time to hope.

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Courtney Dutton

@MommyOfEli2013 (83772)

• Rupert, Idaho

24 May 23

That's a nice photo of the plant/flower... I don't like bees so can't speak about them lol.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

Thanks. I just move slow and the bees do not fly off the blooms. I enjoy seeing them since they are on the decline.

@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

@MommyOfEli2013 They are to be respected no doubt.

Courtney Dutton

@MommyOfEli2013 (83772)

• Rupert, Idaho

24 May 23

@CarolDM Well that is good you do, I have a fear of them...so try not to go anywhere near them

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@happylearner (1569)

• Indonesia

25 May 23

My grandfather used to have bees in his yard. I only ate the honey produced by them but never saw them closely. The photo looks gorgeous.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

These are bumble bees, not the honey bees. I love fresh honey. I keep it in my pantry always. Thank you.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

@happylearner They are very big, about twice the size of honey bees. Gotta have that fresh honey.

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@happylearner (1569)

• Indonesia

25 May 23

@CarolDM it's my first time to see bumble bees. Thanks to you, for sharing the photo. I love honey as well. I always buy it whenever I run out of stock.

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@AmbiePam (90729)

• United States

24 May 23

I always like to see someone talk about appreciating bees. I'm off to go look at your video!

*Watching the video was almost meditative! And I loved the angles you shot from.

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@AmbiePam (90729)

• United States

24 May 23

@CarolDM It was such a peaceful little video.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

@AmbiePam Thank you, didn't know the weed eater was going to be included. The sounds of summer! Appreciate you taking the time to watch. It ran longer than I planned. Hard to stop when I kept seeing so many bees.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

Thank you Amber. I love all of nature. I just stood there and was so amazed at how many were visiting.

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@rebelann (112671)

• El Paso, Texas

24 May 23

I love those bees. I haven't seen those kinds of bees here for quite a while.

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@rebelann (112671)

• El Paso, Texas

24 May 23

If only it rained as much here as it does there then I'd plant honeysuckle along parts of my yard

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

I do too and the blooms were just covered.I stood still and could not count them all. These blooms are great to have and no maintenance at all.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

@rebelann Since they grow wild here I don't have to water this one.

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@psanasangma (7278)

• India

29 May 23

It seems

I can hear buzzing sounds by them

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

29 May 23

They are all buzzing around these blooms, enjoying.

@FourWalls (66720)

• United States

24 May 23

Take your time in catching up. Hope you’re doing well. The beautiful weather and lovely flowers are certainly good medicine. Thanks for sharing them with us!

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@FourWalls (66720)

• United States

25 May 23

@CarolDM — allergies as usual, but happy that my sister in law is out of the hospital.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

25 May 23

@FourWalls I hope she is recovering well at home. Take care.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

Thank you. It is a lot. Doing good. Enjoying the flowers that are making an appearance and a few plants were lost due to the harsh winter we had. And thank you for visiting. I hope you are well.

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@marlina (154131)

• Canada

24 May 23

Thanks for the photo and video, lovely!

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@marlina (154131)

• Canada

24 May 23

@CarolDM Okay, thanks.

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 May 23

And thank you for the visit. Hope you are well.

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@Rashnag (30592)

• Surat, India

4 Jun 23

Beautiful picture. Glad to know about the flowers. Have a good day. Take care

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@CarolDM (203422)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Jun 23

Thanks and you too.

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