The bearded carnation (Dianthus barbatus) is a typical ornamental plant for the cottage garden. If this is to be designed to be bee-friendly, the question arises as to what value the pretty cut flowers have for bees.
Are carnations bee-friendly?
Carnations are often visited by bees and offer nectar and pollen. However, for a bee-friendly garden, unfilled flowers should be preferred as they are more accessible to insects. Experts classify the value of cloves for bees as “low” to “medium”.
Are bees flying to bearded carnations?
Bees often fly to bearded carnations. In the trade, the pretty flowers are often referred to asBienenweide. But the hard-working nectar collectors are not the only insects that settle at the location of the bearded carnation. Butterflies and bumblebees are also visitors to the flowers.
How do I sow cloves for bees?
Sowing cloves for bees is easy. The flowers are sold commercially in the form ofseed mixtures with different flower colors. In this case, it is best to follow the instructions described on the package. However, the plants only begin to bloom in their second year. You can bridge this waiting time with early bearded carnations.
What significance do cloves have for bees?
What significance cloves have for bees is controversial. While the trade emphasizes the bee-friendliness of the flowers, some bee experts classify their value as “low” to “medium”. However, bees are extremely important for the plants, as only through their pollination can cloves form seeds for reproduction.
Tip
Prefer carnations with unfilled flowers
While people are usually particularly happy about the double flowers of the bearded carnation, bees are hardly happy about them, because it is often difficult for the insects to collect nectar and pollen in the tangle of petals. Therefore, you should only sow carnations with simple flowers in a bee-friendly garden.
