What flowers produce the most pollen for bees?
- Sunflowers. Sunflowers in bloom. ...
- Comfrey. Russian comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum. ...
- Salix/willows. Willow catkins on Salix hastata ‘Wehrhahnii’ ...
- Catmint. ...
- Hellebores. ...
- Spring blossom. ...
- Michaelmas daisies. ...
- Heathers.
What flowers are high in nectar?
- Black-eyed Susan.
- Buttonbush.
- Salvia.
- Purple coneflower.
- Butterfly milkweed.
- Hibiscus.
- Firebush.
Do bees prefer certain flowers?
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.
Are marigolds good for bees?
Marigolds are attractive to bees provided you choose a variety with open centers , so insects can easily find the yellow florets. Little ‘Gem’ marigolds fit this description, but they are not as long-blooming as many French marigolds, which are the preferred type among pollinators in my garden.
Is lavender good for bees?
Lavender is a classic bee plant and a fantastic plant for every garden for many reasons. When in flower it looks and smells wonderful. It’s a great source of nectar for butterflies and bees. It’s semi-evergreen so it has a structure and a presence through the winter.
“ The flowers are an important food source for pollinators — especially bees ,” he noted. Dandelions provide both pollen and nectar. By late May, more flowering plants are available as food sources for bees and other insects, so dandelions become less important for their diet.
Bees love lavender. This fragrant herb provides nectar for foraging bees from spring and through summer . From personal observation, they seem to like both English lavender and French lavender and hybrids.
| Plant type Common name Nectar production | F Milkweed major – 120–250 lb/acre, depending on soil and if good fertilization, Asclepias syriaca has the highest honey yield. | F Butterfly weed minor | C Asparagus minor | F Milk vetch minor |
|---|
We give you seven easy plants to help your bees with honey production. Bees are attracted to bright yellows and oranges, so sunflowers are a great way to start , and they not only help your honey bees, but they also look great in any garden.
Red clover is not a honey bee favorite
So while honey bees may not prefer red clover, other bees think it’s the cat’s meow. And contrary to rumor, crimson clover is an excellent honey bee plant and will often produce a crop of good quality honey.
The most likely colors to attract bees, according to scientists, are purple, violet and blue . Bees also have the ability to see color much faster than humans.
Bees are especially attracted to blue, purple, and yellow flowers. Avoid double petaled flowers, as bees find it difficult to access the nectar.
Flat or shallow blossoms, such as daisies, zinnias, asters and Queen Anne’s lace, will attract the largest variety of bees . Long-tongued bees will be attracted to plants in the mint family, such as nepeta, salvia, oregano, mint and lavender.
- Cucumber. This popular vegetable not only makes a great addition to summer salads, but also keeps bees and wasps away. ...
- Basil. Basil is another great choice for your garden that doubles as a kitchen resource and a pest repellent. ...
- Geraniums. ...
- Wormwood. ...
- Marigolds. ...
- Pitcher Plants.
Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime . These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature.
Honeysuckle
The sweet smell of honeysuckle is known to attract the birds...and the bees.
Creeping buttercup is easily recognised with its bright yellow flowers which attract pollinating insects .
Are All Sunflowers Good for Bees? While all of them are beautiful, only some varieties of sunflowers provide food for bees. Nectar, pollen or both may be gathered from the blooms. Nectar is a sweet liquid substance secreted by flowers to attract insects .
As a general rule, Hydrangea macrophylla hortensis (French hydrangeas) are of no benefit to pollinating insects , since the flowers are not fertile and no food reward is offered to bees.
