Begonias, like many other balcony flowers, shine with their beautiful appearance but not exactly with their high ecological value. Here you can find out how bee-friendly the flower is and how you can offer something to beneficial insects.
How bee-friendly are begonias?
Begonias offer beeshardly any food. Even in begonia varieties with larger flowers, the insects hardly find any nectar or pollen. Bees don't specifically stay away from begonias, but they can't feed themselves well on the flowers.
What do bees expect from balcony flowers?
Bees specifically search the flowers of plants forNectarandPollen. However, in urban areas, the number of plants that provide nectar and pollen has been declining for years. Both honey bees and wild bees are therefore happy about any garden plants and balcony flowers that offer them food. When you plant bee-friendly flowers and provide a source of food for the animals, you are making an important contribution to supporting beneficial insects. They will therefore also search for flowers such as the begonia (Begonia) for food.
Do begonias provide food for bees?
The flowers of the begonia offerlittle food to bees. Thanks to its beautiful appearance, the begonia is a popular houseplant and is also often used as a balcony plant in summer. However, this type of flower is not bee-friendly. If you don't want bees on your balcony, this can also be an advantage.
Are double begonias more bee-friendly?
Even begonias with double flowers are notbee-friendly The double inflorescences are highly cultivated flowers. In this case, however, appearances are deceptive. The larger flowers also don't promise much nectar or pollen for bees and other beneficial insects. If you put such begonia varieties on the balcony, it won't make your balcony any more bee-friendly.
Tip
Use bee-friendly companion planting
You don't have to give up begonias completely if you want to make your garden or balcony bee-friendly. Use bee-friendly companion planting with nutritious flowers and avoid floral monoculture. If you sow some suitable balcony plants for insects, bees will be able to thrive there. Individual begonias do not have a deterrent effect on bees.
