I miss the beehives that sat at the edge of the our garden for many seasons. They weren’t particularly special as hives go – not like those that I see from groovier beekeepers, but they were fascinating and I loved observing our beekeepers as they cared for the hives.
We don’t have bees in hives anymore. After a particularly rough year (a couple of years ago) they were taken away. Our beekeeper had 25 hives throughout our town – three in my garden – and the winter of 2013 took out 23 of them. The result of was a regrouping of sorts – all the hives went back to his property in a sweeping back-to-the-drawing-board decision, and they haven’t comeback.
I miss them but also understand the decision.
As I consider finding a new beekeeper – or perhaps even trying to take it on myself – I am very inspired by beehive art. I can’t deny my designer inclinations and I am drawn to anything that can be a canvas for something creative and interesting.
Right: Bee Hive based on Warre top bar hive stylized as the tower of a medieval castle. from Rusuley
Do you keep bees? Have you considered turning them into a bit of a feature? These are a few of my favorites from around the internet.
If you have done something special with your hive share the a link where we can see it!
-Rochelle
Update 2024:
Story Originally published in June 2016. The Hives have not still returned to the P+V garden – but I’d like them to. I am not inclined to become a beekeeper – I think my energy is too much. I am quite sure I’d have a hard time being calm enough to keep the bees calm – and a just don’t have the time to pay attention like I should. If there are any local bee keepers in Central Massachusetts who are looking for locations for hives – email me. I have a garden full of flowers and will happily host!
