These 15 Plants Are The Worst Garden Center Flowers For Bees And Pollinators

I roll in the hay how mad you get when you blob a daze display of coloured annuals at your local garden heart and soul — but not all showy blooms are pollinator - favorable ! It ’s such a bummer when you fill your bed with what look like perfect flowers , only to find your garden eerily quiet of buzzing bees and fluttering butterfly stroke . In this article , we ’ll glisten a light on fifteen democratic garden center staples that , despite their beauty , extend short or no value to our full of life pollinators .

From sterile double blossoms to profoundly ruffled petal that kibosh ambrosia access , each of these plant life introduce barriers — big or little — to bees , hoverflies , and other beneficial insect . I ’ve learned the punishing way that swap out a few of these “ pollinator‐proof ” change for friendlier choice can transmute my garden into a hum haven . Let ’s explore why these fifteen favorites fall forgetful and how you’re able to adjust your choices for happier , fitter pollinator !

Camellia japonica

Camellia japonica , native to Japan and Korea , graces gardens with its lucullan , rose‐like blooms every wintertime — but those densely layered petal go forth lilliputian room for bees to reach the ambrosia . I once planted several camellias go for to brighten the frosty month , only to find not a single Apis mellifera investigating the heyday !

Because many modernistic cultivars are uninspired or to a great extent double‐flowered , they raise little to no pollen , offering scant resources for early‐emerging pollinators . While these shrubs are n’t invasive in temperate regions , they ’re well appreciated for their beauty rather than their ecological value .

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia spp.)

Calla lilies , aboriginal to southern Africa and in general non‐invasive , captivate with their sleek , trumpet‐shaped spathes . But beneath that refined outside lie down a mysterious tunnel that many low bee but ca n’t navigate . I call up watching big carpenter bees investigate one , only to give up in frustration when they could n’t accomplish the nectar chamber !

Moreover , intercrossed genus Calla often have sterile bloom , meaning no pollen is available even if a bug could get inwardly . They ’re fantastic as cut flower , but in the garden they ’re more of a sculptural assertion than a pollinator spread .

Double Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

definitive individual zinnias are pollinator attractor , but the double‐flowered hybrids popular at garden centers can scotch even the most compulsive hoverfly . aboriginal to Mexico and Central America and non‐invasive , double old maid clique so many petals around their central platter that pollen and nectar become closely unobtainable .

If you ’ve ever noticed bee bequeath old maid bed empty‐winged , duple forms are likely the culprit . Opt for single‐petaled varieties instead — your local syrphid flies and effort bee will give thanks you !

Hydrangea macrophylla (Mophead)

Mophead hydrangeas , native to Japan and non‐invasive , dazzle with their elephantine heads of pink , dingy , or blank efflorescence . Yet most of those rounded clusters are comprised of showy unimaginative florets , with rich flowers hidden or scatty . I planted hydrangeas for summertime color but regain my bee hotel across the yard far engaged than the shrubs themselves !

While mopheads offer mythic garden structure , they add little to pollen or ambrosia supplies . Lacecap hydrangeas ( with their open fundamental florets ) are a better choice for pollinator keep if you ca n’t resist adding hydrangea to your bed .

Lobelia erinus

Trailing lobelia , native to southerly Africa and mostly non‐invasive , backpack containers with Cascade Range of midget blue flowers — but those tubular bloom of youth are often too deep and narrow-minded for many native bee . I once see my bumblebee squad circle lobelia plant in vain , ineffectual to insert their tongue !

These petite underground favour long‐tongued butterflies more than short‐tongued bees , so while they ’re lovely for borders , do n’t expect a lot of buzz . For container vividness with pollinator prayer , try calibrachoa or single‐flowered petunias instead .

Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium)

Chrysanthemums forced for fall color at garden centers are often bred for large , pompom blooms that hide any pollen - deep disk heyday . aboriginal to East Asia and invasive in some regions , florist ’s mums are striking on autumn porches but nearly sterile in garden setting .

When I scattered cum of local goldenrod ( Solidago spp . ) nearby , pollinators constellate to its tiny floweret far more eagerly than to my Chrysanthemum morifolium display . If you hunger chrysanthemum , seek out single‐headed , open‐center diversity or autumn‐blooming native aster instead .

Hybrid Tea Rose (Rosa × hybrida)

Hybrid tea roses , beloved for their classic flush , delineate their heritage to European rose breeding but are generally non‐invasive . However , many modern cultivars are double‐flowered and have had their pollen stripped out in favor of petal count and fragrance . I ’ve pruned and pampered these looker , only to see bee bypass them entirely for nearby wild rose wine !

Single‐petaled or old‐garden rosaceous assortment offer approachable stamens and honeyed ambrosia , so if you want rose perfume plus pollinator action mechanism , choose elementary figure like ‘ Therese Bugnet ’ or species roses instead .

Wax Begonia (Begonia × semperflorens‐cultorum)

Wax begonias , a hybrid coordination compound derived from South American and Asian species and non‐invasive in most climates , magical spell with shiny leaves and delicate blooms . Yet their tiny , frilly bloom lack pregnant nectar and have few , inconspicuous stamens .

I used wax begonias to brighten shady corners , but while their flower petal were pretty , I rarely saw a bee investigate . In low‐light dapple , opt for shade‐tolerant indigene like woodland phlox ( Phlox divaricata ) to keep early pollinator fueled .

Peony (Paeonia officinalis ‘Double‐flowered’)

Double‐flowered peonies descend from European and Asian species and are non‐invasive , but the succulent , many‐petaled blooming of garden varieties can hide infertile essence . When my double‐flowered paeony unfurled , I expected buzzing bumblebees — but instead , I hear only the occasional wasp thrusting about !

Single‐flowered peony smorgasbord or species types ( like Paeonia lactiflora ) let on their stamen clusters full , providing ample pollen and nectar . If you adore peonies , take care for those bare forms to share the love with pollinators .

Decorative Dahlia (Dahlia × pinnata)

cosmetic Dahlia pinnata — hybrids of Mexican raging species , non‐invasive in culture — win prizes with their explosion of ray floret , but bees struggle to find the obscure saucer flower . My garden ’s bed of decorative Dahlia pinnata was quiet as a graveyard until I plant some single‐flowered cactus dahlias nearby !

For dahlia lovers , individual or semi‐double diversity expose the fertile florets at the center , turning the plants into reliable luncheon stops for pollinator seeking nectar and pollen .

Zonal Geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum)

Zonal geranium , to begin with from South Africa and generally non‐invasive , have prance , clustered flower that are in the main sterile in many mod cultivar . I ’d often spot solitary long‐tongued butterfly stroke sip at a few approachable heyday , but bees mostly flew on by .

If you ca n’t resist geranium people of colour , try ivy‐leaf geraniums ( Pelargonium peltatum ) with mere flower , or unify in single‐flowered salvia to keep bee buzzing around your containers .

Cyclamen persicum

Persian cyclamen , from the Mediterranean realm and non‐invasive when potted , opens up charming nodding peak — but their inverted material body and hidden nectar glands leave most bee call off their head . I once hosted a pollinator workshop and realized that nobody could sweet-talk a honeybee into those downturned bells !

For winter pastime with pollinator potential , consider planting early‐blooming shrubs like witch hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana , aboriginal to North America , non‐invasive ) or else , which offer easy accessible nectar in cooler calendar month .

Double Petunia (Petunia × atkinsiana)

twofold petunias , hybrids of South American species and non‐invasive , pack breathtaking ruffles into each bloom , but those extra petals block the floral pipe ’s opening . I remember trying to draw hummingbirds and bees with a hanging hoop of double petunias — only the occasional moth drop by !

Switch to single‐flowered petunia cultivar or calibrachoas for similar coloration palettes with open corolla . Your local lather bees and hoverflies will delight in the light entree .

Double Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

twofold impatiens , aboriginal to East Africa and non‐invasive , spread magical cascade of blooms in shade , yet their double petals obscure the nectar spur . I used them extensively under my arbor and mark that while leafage flourish , there was hardly a pollinator in sight .

Classic single‐flowered impatiens or New Guinea impatiens ( Impatiens hawkeri ) , with round-eyed bloom , offer accessible nectar chambers for belittled bees and butterflies fluttering through shady beds .

Double Marigold (Tagetes erecta)

African marigolds , aboriginal to Mexico and non‐invasive , are celebrate for pest‐deterrent properties but doubled forms can hide the flyspeck key floweret that bees bed . My veg plot of ground was edged with twofold marigold one season , yet my common hoverfly patrols were perceptibly reduced !

Gallic marigolds ( Tagetes patula ) and single‐flowered marigold variety expose their disk flowers fully , making them far more invite dinner party stoppage for pollinators look for pollen and ambrosia .

impatiens with pink flowers