Hello Bee-L,
    This is my first post to Bee-L. I am Joel Parton from Tennessee near
Knoxville. Tim Morris wrote asking about Privet as a bee forage and for any
other suggestions for a small planting. The book Honey Plants by Lovell,
reprinted by Bee Culture in 1977, briefly mentions Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
as being an important honey plant in England. I'm not sure this is the same
Privet we have here in the States. Most references I have found do say the
bees like privet but that privet honey has a disagreeable smell and very
strong flavor.
    The best reference I've found for planting for bees can be found on the
web at www.ent.msu.edu/abj. This is the series of articles The Other Side of
Beekeeping by George Ayers from Michigan State University, which has run in
the American Bee Journal. Not only are specific plants evaluated, but also
considerations such as cost and maintenance of the planting are discussed.
    I would suggest that anyone wanting to plant for the bees start by
evaluating what the forage sources are in their area and try to find
something to augment or fill in the nectar flow gaps in their area.
    Tim, let us know what you decide to plant and how successful you are.

Joel Parton