The death of bees is on everyone's lips. Some people who have the opportunity would like to make a contribution and offer the bees rich sources of food. Can chrysanthemums be valuable for bees?
Are chrysanthemums bee friendly?
Chrysanthemums are particularly valuable to bees if they have unfilled flowers. Wild forms of the chrysanthemum provide nectar and pollen. Autumn chrysanthemums are a late source of food for bees when they have unfilled flowers.
Do bees like to visit chrysanthemums?
Bees are usuallynot particularly attracted to chrysanthemums. Especially when it comes to varieties that bloom in summer, the bees prefer to look for other plants. But if the food supply is limited, bees don't stop at chrysanthemums, but rather feast on the nectar available.
Which chrysanthemums provide plenty of food for bees?
Thewild formsof the chrysanthemum provide bees with plenty of food in the form of nectar and pollen. Even cultivated varieties can still be interesting for bees. They should be chrysanthemums that have single andundouble flowers. These include, for example, the following varieties:
- ‘Hebe’
- ‘Goldmarianne’
- ‘Dernier soleil’
- ‘Poetry’
- ‘Oury’
- ‘Clara Curtis’
- ‘Ceddie Mason’
- ‘Mary Stoker’
Which chrysanthemums are unsuitable for bees?
The chrysanthemums withdouble flowers, which are available in numerous shapes and colors from garden centers, are very impressive, but of no value to bees. The double flowers of chrysanthemums offer the bees neither nectar nor pollen, or they do not even reach the center of the flower due to the dense number of petals. Such varieties therefore usually serve a purely visual purpose for humans. Such specimens therefore have no place in a bee-friendly garden.
Why can chrysanthemums be valuable for bees?
Many chrysanthemumsbloomfirstlate in the year between October and November and are therefore a final source of food for bees. Most other flowering plants have already withered at this time of year and the food supply for the bees has almost dried up.
The autumn chrysanthemums in particular become a great gift for the bee world when they have unfilled flowers and are allowed to bloom happily on the balcony, terrace or in the garden until the end of November.
Should you avoid stuffed chrysanthemums altogether?
You don't have togive up filled, pompom-like chrysanthemums to do something good for the bees. If you would like to plant double varieties that do not provide food for bees, create a balance. Place bee-friendly plants next to the chrysanthemums. These include, among others, lavender, hyssop, thyme, sage, oregano, savory, marigolds, zinnias and nasturtiums. Avoid plants such as double roses, dahlias and geraniums.
Tip
Unfilled chrysanthemums – bee-friendly and easier to care for
The varieties of chrysanthemums with wide-open, unfilled flowers are not only bee-friendly, but are generally also less susceptible to disease.
