Do honey bees like camellias? Many individuals are interested in this subject, and the truth is that it varies depending on the type of camellia. Some honey bees may love camellias, while others may not be so enamored with them. It’s important to note that there are many different types of camellias, so it’s best to ask your local beekeeper for their opinion on which ones are best for honey bees. Beyond camellias, here are nine other flowers that are popular with honey bees.
What Factors to Consider to Make Camellias Likeable to Honey Bees?
Bee Aware Month was organized to educate us about the critical function bees play in sustaining life on our planet by providing food and essential resources. Camellias are a terrific option if you’re picking plants for your garden and want to offer bees food.
Pollen contains proteins and vitamins that bees consume. Camellias have high-quality, protein-rich pollen, according to research, but not all pollen is created equal. Camellias’ timing is also relevant.
When there are few other plant species in bloom, they bloom during key periods in the life cycle of bees. Since bees are storing pollen for winter use and building their populations in the spring, camellias are particularly valuable during autumn and early spring.
You’ll have to think about a few factors before choosing which camellias will be the pollen factory you’re looking for.
Bees cannot benefit from many cultivated camellias because they lack stamens and thus don’t provide pollen. Camellia flowers with enormous stamens and pollen loads are chosen.
The benefit of providing bulk pollen is enjoyed by Floriferous camellias. Pick blossoms with vivid color contrasts, brilliant-yellow pollen, and a flower form that is readily accessible in the position of the bees.
The Winter Blooming Camellia is one of the sources of winter pollen entering the hives. Their astounding rain-repellant blooms and lovely fragrance must feel like winning the bee lotto in the middle of winter. You’ll want to give them enough space to grow and have airflow, especially during the winter blooming Camellias, who prefer partial shade.
White to red flowers is available, as are single-form flowers that enable easy access to the pollen, which is always a good idea when purchasing pollinator-friendly plants.
Camellias require a well-drained, somewhat acidic soil, and they are evergreen, providing lovely leaves all year. This may be the container plant for you if you’re trying for a lovely container plant for your patio, balcony, or entryway.
9 Best Flowers for Honey Bees
A bee isn’t purposefully trying to pollinate a plant when it’s on one. It’s because it sees one. That’s pure happenstance. The bee and its colony are hungry, which is what’s happening.
Pollen and nectar are used by bees as food. Pollen provides protein and fat, while nectar provides carbohydrates. With that in mind, let’s discuss the list of 9 flowers that honey bees love the most!
1 – Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan requires very little care for those of you who are still trying to keep a garden. Clay, rocky soil, heat, and drought can all be handled by dry soil and older plants. It’s comparable to the other plants on this list, and it’s a great source of nectar for other native pollinators like the bordered patch butterfly.
2 – Marsh blazing star (Liatris spicata)
From seeds, this magnificent indigenous plant may take up to a few years to develop, but its stunning appearance is well worth the wait. If starting from a seed frightens you, there are a few online stores that sell the bulbs, so you may give them a try.
3 – White wild indigo (Baptisia alba)
On poor clay, gravel, and clay soil, wild Indigo may grow up to four feet tall. This plant thrives in the sun but requires watering on occasion. It can withstand seasonal droughts or floods. After the winter, it will go dormant, remaining dormant until spring. Among the insects attracted to white wild indigo are frosted elfin butterflies and the block-spotted notable moth. Any wild indigo will suffice if you can’t locate white wild indigo.
4 – Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Honeybees, hummingbirds, and butterflies love this lovely perennial! It’s available for purchase as a seedling at most garden shops. Make sure to water them until they’ve gotten established. If you avoid planting it near other plants, this plant may grow up to five feet tall.
5 – Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)
Wrinkleleaf goldenrod is a tough plant that looks a lot like black-eyed Susan. Even in low, arid soils, it can grow. Goldenrod is often blamed for causing hay fever (seasonal allergies), however, it blooms at the same time as ragweed, so people are mistaken.
6 – Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Pot marigold is the name for this edible blossom. Soups and stews were traditionally flavored with yellowish-white and orange petals. With moist, well-drained soil, grow in full sun. It flourishes in cooler temperatures. This plant seeds itself, resulting in years of gorgeous bloom and honey for bees.
7 – Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Bees need a late-season source of nectar as we approach the fall. The answer to this challenge is Joe-Pye weed. Bees and other pollinators, such as hummingbird moths, will be drawn to it because it’s so fragrant.
8 – Borage (Borago officinalis)
Bees are drawn to the borage’s brilliant blue star-shaped blooms. Raw, steamed, or sautéed cucumber-flavored leaves are also available. Since it is a perennial self-seeder, it will be a long-lasting addition to the garden. You’ll have a lot of seedlings to give away to your friends and family! It becomes drought tolerant once it has developed.
9 – Bee balm (Monarda spp.)
Since it was originally utilized to treat bee stings, this plant has the moniker of “bee balm,” but bees adore the blossom. Native to North Carolina, the bee balm family of plants includes a variety of species. Over 80% of the flowers bloom for eight weeks or more and are aromatic.
Final Words
Nice work on establishing a pollinator-friendly garden for the first time! It may seem overwhelming at first…there is a lot of stuff out there! We believe you’ll be overjoyed when you see a honeybee or butterfly drinking from one of your planted flowers. We believe that the following brief guide will be of assistance.
Related FAQs
What do camellias attract?
Camellias are popular trees for gardeners because their striking yellow and red flowers attract many different kinds of pollinators, including hummingbirds. In addition to attracting birds, camellias are also low-maintenance plants that can be easily pruned and have few pests or diseases.
Their large leaves provide good shade in the summertime, they’re drought tolerant (although they may require water during periods of extreme heat), and their fragrant blooms add a splash of color to any landscape.
Are camellias good for bees in the UK?
Some people believe that camellias are harmful to bees, while others think they are helpful. The truth is that there is no clear evidence either way as to whether or not camellias are good for bees. However, some experts speculate that the flowers may contain nectar and pollen which can be beneficial to the bee population. Additionally, Camellia sinensis has been shown to possess anti-depressant properties and protect against oxidative damage in cells.
Ultimately, it’s up to each pollinator community (hive) as to what plants they prefer for feeding purposes; whatever helps them thrive will be beneficial for everyone involved!
How do I know when my camellias are ready for harvest?
Camellias are a favorite flower of many, and they can take a long time to reach their peak bloom. There are several factors that you should consider when it comes to determining when your camellias are ready for harvest, including the weather conditions, how vigorous the growth has been, and how well the flowers have converted light into energy.
If all these factors indicate that the flowers will soon be pollinated and ready to produce fruit, then it is recommended that you begin harvesting them shortly after this point. However, if any of these indicators suggest otherwise (e.g., there has been heavy rainfall), then wait until later in the season before harvesting your plants. Once you know for sure which stage your camellias are at, make arrangements with a local arborist or gardener to get them taken down safely!
When is the optimum time to plant camellias?
Camellias are a popular breed of flower, and many different types can be planted in various parts of the world. The best time of year to plant them depends on the type of camellia you’re trying to grow. For example, azaleas need warm temperatures while shimpaku prefer cooler weather.
Generally speaking, Camellias should be planted between May and September in temperate climates or from November to February in colder climates. Make sure to consult your local garden center for more information specific to your region’s climate and growing conditions. Once you have decided when it is the best time for you, purchase a good quality seedling kit and get started!
Before planting camellia seeds in the ground, do they need to be soaked?
No, camellia seeds don’t need to be soaked before planting them in the ground. They are a type of legume and as such, they contain a hard shell that protects the seed from moisture. Once you have removed the protective outer layer, simply pour water over the seeds and let them soak for about 2-3 hours. This will help to soften the hulls so that your seed can germinate faster and more easily.