Hydrangea flowers are flowers that can be regarded as stunning with an appearance that looks like it is one of high maintenance.
However, they are quite easy to grow and care for if placed under the right conditions.
The question here is, are these stunning hydrangeas good for bees? Well, surely, they are good for bees. As a matter of fact, hydrangeas are pollinator flowers for bees that are known to provide a feast for them.
I mean, who wouldn’t be pleased to have a good meal and one that can fill their stomachs as well? Want to make your bees happy? Then plant hydrangeas and see the magic unfold.
What are the benefits of hydrangeas for bees?
Most beekeepers who plant the hydrangeas bees have stated that they cannot imagine their bees without this plant, and this is as a result of the goodies bees enjoy from the hydrangeas.
Here are some of the benefits of the hydrangeas flowers for bees below:
Delicacy:
Everyone would love to have a delicious meal. Do you think that bees would be any different?
Do hydrangeas feed bees?
Well, this question is quite tricky and the answer is a “yes” and also a “no”.
Hydrangeas flowers vary in their ability to feed the bees.
Unfortunately, the common hydrangeas do not feed the bees or other pollinators and this is because their flowers are sterile.
But there are other species of hydrangeas that feed bees and other pollinators while also being great plants for your garden.
The climbing hydrangea is one species of hydrangeas that bees can rely on for both nectar and pollen.
The flowers give both nectar and pollen for pollinators and it blooms from June to July.
Oak leaved hydrangea is another terrific source of pollen and nectar. They have large assertive leaves.
Their names are due to their edges that resemble an oak leaf and they stand out against other shrubs, even when not in flower, because of their leaves.
Related: Here is an article I wrote on are lupins good for bees?
Which hydrangeas feed bees?
While not all hydrangeas can feed the bee because some of the species of hydrangeas are sterile, other species can feed bees and they are:
Climbing hydrangeas
Living up to its name, this species of hydrangeas is a climber and it has aerial roots that stick to a surface like cement.
This is one plant that isn’t advisable to plant around your house.
Asides from that, the flowers of the climbing hydrangea give both nectar and pollen for pollinators and bees.
It also blooms from June to July.
Lacecap Hydrangea
The species of hydrangea is one laced with flat heads of fertile flowers, and fringed with the showy sterile ones.
It is a brilliant choice for your garden with its colourful flowers that may change as the bloom ages.
These beauties aren’t just beautiful, their fertile flowers provide bees with nectar and pollen.
Oak leaved hydrangea is another terrific source of pollen and nectar. They have large assertive leaves.
Their names are due to their edges that resemble an oak leaf and they stand out against other shrubs, even when not in flower, because of their leaves.
Rough leaf hydrangea
The flowers of this particular species of hydrangea are completely fertile.
Bees love them because of the sweet nectar they enjoy and also because of their fragrance.
They are best grown in rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in partly shaded areas because they can’t tolerate full sun.
Tolerates full sun only if grown with consistently moist soils.
Tardiva hydrangea
Although not all the flowers of this plant are fertile, bees are completely in love with them.
The flowers bloom with white colors in August and then change to dusty pink when they start to age.
Also check out this article I wrote on are butterfly bushes bad for bees?
What month do hydrangeas flower?
The different species of hydrangeas flowers are quite stunning.
They usually look like those high and colorful flowers that might be difficult to grow, but in all honesty, they are easy to grow and maintain.
There are several varieties of the hydrangeas flowers and most hydrangea plants grow as a shrub or a herbaceous vine.
The best season to plant them is either fall or early spring as the idea is to give the shrub plenty of time to establish a healthy root system before blooming.
Most new growth hydrangeas put on buds in early summer to bloom in the following spring, summer and early fall seasons. In hot climates, hydrangeas may stop blooming in the heat of summer, but will rebloom in the fall.
Are there male and female hydrangeas
Yes, there are male and female hydrangeas. The difference is actually with their flowers.
Each flower of the hydrangeas is bisexual.
What this means is that it contains both antheridia which are known as male reproductive structures, and ovary and pistil, which are also called female reproductive structures
The flowers that are often located in the middle of the flower panicle are small and have both male (stamen) and female (stigma) parts.
These are the fertile ones which produce the seed.
Do hydrangeas help pollinators
Well, this is quite tricky. I wouldn’t say hydrangeas will be quite pleased helping pollinators and that’s because not all its species are fertile.
This flower has a number of sterile flowers, however, the fertile ones do not hesitate to help pollinators.
Which hydrangeas attract bees
There are quite a few of the hydrangeas species that attract bees.
However, the one that stands out for me is the oak leaf hydrangeas. Amongst which is the Gatsby Pink species.
The Gatsby Pink has lacecap flowers which emit a sweet, honey-like fragrance that carries on the warm summer breeze, and those big, showy blooms take on a glorious deep pink color as they age.
This does the job of attracting pollinators and bees.
Unlike other oakleaf hydrangeas, Gatsby Pink continues to create fresh flowers through fall, and this extends its appeal to pollinators by several weeks.
Conclusion
The hydrangeas are good for bees, as long as they can locate the fertile ones.
