Do bees like hydrangeas? The quick answer is yes. The longer answer is that bees like many different kinds of hydrangeas, but not all plant types. If you want to entice bees, you will have to make sure you plant the correct kind. Finding the best hydrangeas for bees is easy.
Are Hydrangeas Good for Bees?
Even though bees like many Hydrangeas, are they good for bees? We see plenty of occasions where people and animals like things that are bad for them. The good news is that the right kinds of hydrangeas are wonderful for bees.
Bees can use hydrangeas to make good food that will keep them healthy and active. The flowering plant is also suitable for many other kinds of pollinators in your garden.
What type of Hydrangeas do Bees Like?
Many members of the hydrangea family will attract and feed bees. Unfortunately, one of the most popular hydrangea choices in gardens, Mophead hydrangeas, isn’t on this list. If you want to help bring more pollinators into your area, you may want to consider one of these other options.
These less common hydrangeas are still beautiful, and you can get them in a variety of different and fun colours to fit into your garden. Many of the flowers will change colour based on the soil pH where you plant them.
Lacecap Hydrangeas
Lacecaps can be very fun in your garden. They have tiny lace-like blossoms close and tight, ringed by larger flowers to give a little of both styles. They come in blue, white, and pink, and the bloom might change colours over the years.
The small lace flowers are what attract bees. These flowers do great in warmer climates, but they may not survive if you live in cold weather areas. Check out the varieties available here:
Climbing Hydrangeas
Climbing hydrangeas are very hardy plants that you can grow reasonably quickly if you have sturdy supports for them to use. It can be dangerous to grow too close to the house because it will climb anything that supports it.
The white flowers on this vine are filled with nectar and pollen, which draws in bees. They do a good job feeding the pollinators, and they look lovely if you have the space to grow them. Some of the best varieties available can be found here:
Hydrangea Paniculata
This type of hydrangea, sometimes called the confetti hydrangea, is excellent for bees, specifically bumblebees. You can find white, pink, and blue varieties of this flowing plant, and there are many different subgroups of the bush.
The shrub can get pretty large, so they need a lot of space. Also, be aware that not every Hydrangea paniculata attracts bees. So make sure that the specific one you want to get will engage your pollinators. Buy Hydrangea Paniculata here:
Oak-Leaved Hydrangea
If you want an attention-drawing plant, even when there are no flowers in bloom, the oak-leaved hydrangea may help. It offers bold leaves that bear a striking resemblance to oak trees. When they flower, you will see white clusters of blossoms.
In the fall, the leaves turn bright red so that they can add colour to your garden in many different seasons. Bees love the flowers and will make a habit of stopping there when they are in bloom. Oak-Leaved Hydrangeas can be bought here:
Wild Hydrangea
Wild hydrangea, also called smooth hydrangea by many, will attract all types of bees, especially if they are native to your area. The flowers grow in large clusters. In most cases, these will be white.
Not only do they attract bees, but they will also bring a lot of other local pollinators to your garden. If you’re in the right area, these may grow with almost no care.
Rough-Leaf Hydrangea
Rough-Leaf hydrangea is one of the best options for bees because all of its flowers are fertile. They all offer nectar and pollen to entice the bees and bring them to your garden. They flower in small blooms that clump together, surrounded by more giant flowers.
All of these blossoms will attract bees, so it is beneficial. They also look nice and are easy to grow. They can even withstand full sun as long as you keep them well hydrated.
What Types of Hydrangeas Do Bees Avoid?
Even though so many hydrangeas work great for bees, some don’t attract bees at all. There aren’t that many that won’t work for bees, but they do include one of the most popular versions of the plant.
Some people who like these styles will also plant another hydrangea that the bees use. You can have your favorite aesthetic and keep the bees happy. If your primary concern is attracting bees, you may not want to plant these hydrangeas in your garden.
Mophead Hydrangeas
Mophead hydrangeas are a trendy flower with people, but not for bees. The flowers offer no nectar for insects, so there is no point in stopping on the flower. Occasionally a bee will try it out, but they quickly realize there is nothing there for them and move on to better flowers.
These are beautiful blooms, but you have seen many other gorgeous flowers on the list that also attract bees to help pollinate your garden.
PeeGee Hydrangea
There are mixed reviews about how well PeeGee works with bees. Many people consider this a good bee hydrangea, but they admit that many blossoms don’t have pollen or nectar, making them less attractive to bees.
They may not be the worst option for bees, but there are plenty out there that are better. They are still better than mopheads for feeding bees. If you want to grow them, they take up a lot of room, almost twenty feet, so you want to give them space.
Bees and Hydrangeas
If you love cultivating hydrangeas but also want to attract bees and other pollinators, you should be able to do both. You may have to change the type of hydrangea, but you can pick from many different varieties to find one that will work well for you and the bees.
