What make a flower bee-friendly?
It provides a healthy diet. Flowers that attract bees provide abundant nectar and pollen, the only sources of carbohydrates and protein in a bee’s diet. While some bees, called “generalists,” aren’t picky about the type of flower, others are “specialists” and need pollen from particular plants.
It’s the right color. If you thought red or yellow was a bee’s favorite flower color, guess again. They actually see flowers in the blue and purple color spectrum better than other hues and are naturally attracted to them. (Interestingly, flowers in the blue-purple range produce the most nectar.) Bees can also see ultraviolet light, and many flowers have ultraviolet nectar guides that are invisible to us but lead bees right to their sweet treat.
It’s the perfect shape. Some bees prefer certain flowers because of their shape. Often these preferences are determined by the length of a bee’s tongue. For example, long-tongued bees seek out tubular, deep-throated blooms while short-tongued species visit flowers with easily accessible nectar, such as those in the daisy family.
It's just the right size. Sizewise, honeybees often flock to tiny flowers, while larger bees shun them because they are too small to support their weight.
It's single. Regardless of flower shape or size, avoid cultivars with showy double flowers. While attractive, they often make it more difficult for bees to access nectar and pollen than single flowers.
It’s chemical-free. Don't treat your flowers with pesticides, which are extremely toxic to honeybees and other beneficial insects. Instead, opt for eco-friendly treatments and apply them in early morning or at dusk when there are few bees around. Also, avoid buying plants pretreated with systemic chemicals that, even in small doses, can be harmful to bees.
It blooms at the right time. Although spring and summer may seem to be when bees are at their busiest, some early-emerging bees rely on pollen and nectar from late winter and very early spring blooms. In the fall, bees feast on late-blooming plants in preparation for winter hibernation.
Early-season bloomers:Â Crocus, hyacinth, primrose, hellebore, maples, redbuds, willows, oaks, and dandelion
Late-season bloomers:Â Potentilla, viburnum, aster, sunflower, goldenrod.
Join the virtual event entitled “Bee engaged with Youth” to celebrate with us the World Bee Day 2024!
