Columbine can provide food for bees as well as bumblebees and other beneficial insects. Here you can find out what the flower offers bees and which species are particularly helpful.
What food does columbine provide to bees?
Columbine (Aquilegia) is a bee-friendly plant that provides bees with nectar and pollen from May to August. Varieties of common columbine that are not overbred and reproduce easily are particularly suitable.
How good is columbine for bees?
The columbine (Aquilegia) is verybee-friendly Many flowers grow on the low-maintenance buttercup plant. These provide food for honey bees as well as many wild bees and bumblebees. While some varieties also grow wild, some species are also used as ornamental plants.
When does the columbine provide bees?
In the period fromMaytoAugust the plant provides bees with food. This means that you can expect a long flowering period here. For four months, the columbine provides insects with food and at the same time offers a great sight with its flowers. You can also combine the columbine with other plants during this time if you want to make something special out of the bee-friendly location.
What food does columbine provide to bees?
The flower of the Columbine containsNectarandPollenThese serve as food for the bees and help the animals raise their offspring. By planting columbines and caring for bees, you are helping to preserve the natural bee population. This forms the basis for the pollination of many crops around the world.
Which varieties of columbine are bee-friendly?
It is best to plant varieties that arenot overbred. Most varieties of columbine provide bees. In some varieties, a double flower was specifically bred. However, these species do not provide bees with much food. Other varieties, such as the common columbine, are all very bee-friendly. They also easily multiply themselves once they have been sown in one location. The bees will help you with natural reproduction.
Tip
How to extend the flowering period
Cut off wilted flowers from the columbine. Then the plant can concentrate its energy on producing new flowers. More flowers mean you can support more bees. You can also even get cut flowers from the columbine.