Bees are drawn to daisies because they provide a rich source of pollen compared to other species of flowers. While a Bellis Perennis or English Daisy only provides about half the amount of pollen as some other species of daisies, it still produces far more pollen than many common flowers.
Keep reading to learn which daisies are best for attracting bees and what to expect from adding daisies to your garden.
How many types of daisies are there?
There are about 20,000 different species of daisies, from small and white to big and colourful. The more popular daisy types are:
- English daisies are common lawn daisies that bloom between April and June and come in various colours like white, pink, red and blue.
- Shasta and Bellis daisies have classic white petals and yellow centres and are low-maintenance perennials that can grow up to 90cm tall.
- African daisies are large flowers of vibrant pink, orange, red and yellow and are a low maintenance perennial since they enjoy sunlight and need little water.
- Gloriosa daisies are distinct in their yellow petals with black centres, and they are among the favourites for bees and butterflies.
With so many different daisies to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide what you should plant in your garden. However, if you want to attract bees to your garden, some daisies are better suited for the job than others.
Do daisies attract bees?
Daisies attract many different bees because they produce a lot of pollen and have flat and shallow blossoms, making it easier for bees to get to the pollen. Daisies are also single flowers meaning they have a single ring of petals instead of multiple layers like roses so bees can quickly get to the pollen-laden anthers or the centre of the flower.
If you’re trying to decide which daisies to put in your wildflower garden to attract bees, you will want to choose something blue, purple or yellow since bees find flowers of those colours most appealing.
Are Shasta daisies good for bees?
Shasta daisies attract bees thanks to their flat, single ring of petals and clear yellow anthers. Bees can easily land on these daisies and access the pollen they are looking for without struggling for purchase or needing a long tongue.
A bonus from planting Shasta daisies is they attract butterflies, which not only helps pollinate your garden and other surrounding plants, but you will also get the joy of seeing more beautiful butterflies around your home.
Shasta daisies are available to buy here and cost anywhere from £5 to £24, depending on how big a pot you buy.
How fast do daisies grow?
How fast daisies grow depends on what conditions they are growing in. Ideally, daisies will thrive in cool temperatures with partial sun and moist soil. In these conditions, daisies can grow to their full height in about two years but can take up to five years to fully mature.
Daisies can spread quickly, so make sure you leave enough room between them when you’re planting them in your garden. Daisies can grow between thirty to ninety centimetres tall, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding where to plant them.
What time of year do daisies bloom?
Daisies bloom in the late spring and continue to bloom until early fall. However, due to how tall they can grow, they tend to droop, which can shorten their blooming season if you don’t intervene.
Are daisies perennials?
Some daisies are perennials, while others will only last a single season. For example, marguerite daisies will only grow for a single season, whereas African daisies are perennial daisies and will grow back every year.
Keep in mind that the climate can affect whether daisies grow back. A daisy can be a “perennial,” but only within the hardiness zone where they best thrive, and the wrong climate can have them living and dying in a single summer.
How much do daisies cost?
The cost will depend on the type, quality, and whether you want to grow from seeds or french stems. Generally, you can expect to pay about £1 to £4 for a packet of seeds and anywhere from £1 to £3 per stem.
Usually, you won’t be buying them in singles stems but in bundles of stems which varies widely depending on where you’re buying them. For example, Gerbera daisies cost around £60 to £75 per 80 stems, while others cost as much as £70 for 60 stems.
Where can I buy daisies?
A local greenhouse is a great place to start buying daisies, but if that isn’t an option or you would prefer to buy them online, the Crocus website is a great alternative. You will be able to buy pots of daisies as well as seeds. The daisies’ pots range from £10 to £20, depending on how big the pot is.
Final Thoughts
Daises are a great flower choice when bringing more pollinators to your garden and seeing your flowers thrive. They are lovely wildflowers that add great colour to your garden while being widely loved by many different types of bees, from bumblebees to more solitary bees.
The best choice is to find a type of daisy that is a native wildflower for your area, as this will work best with other species of flowers and attract the bees in your area.
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