Gorgeous blue globes that bees can't resist!
Globe Gilia is usually found in rocky, sunny sites. In the Seattle area, it is most common on grasslands - including South Puget Prairies and in the Olympic rainshadow. Historically, these sites were periodically burned by Coast Salish tribes in order to increase the prevalence of various food plants. A lover of disturbance, Globe Gilia thrived here. As fire suppression and development have decreased this habitat, Globe Gilia has decreased as well.
However, it has proven very popular with gardeners, and has been brought to gardens around the world! It is easy to see why - it is very easy to care for, and is hugely popular with bees. We primarily see bumble bees (Bombus spp.), long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and european honeybees (Apis Mellifera) on these flowers.
Globe Gilia blooms from through the summer, sending out many light blue globes. Unusually, it also has blue pollen! If you watch bees closely, you may see the blue pollen coating their abdomens, or in their corbiculae (pollen sacs on their legs).
