The question of whether bees are attracted to roses has a nuanced answer that depends entirely on the specific rose variety. While many assume the beauty and fragrance of a rose would naturally draw pollinators, this is often not the case. The difference lies in a fundamental distinction between the original wild rose species and the highly hybridized ornamental varieties common in modern gardens.
The Cultivation Barrier to Bee Attraction
The vast majority of modern roses, such as Hybrid Teas and Floribundas, have been bred to appeal to human preferences for complex, showy blooms. This selective breeding has inadvertently made them inaccessible or undesirable to foraging bees. Breeders focused on increasing the number of petals, a trait known as “doubling,” which creates the dense, ruffled look people prize. This doubling effect occurs when the plant’s pollen-bearing stamens are genetically converted into extra petals, resulting in a flower that offers little to no pollen. Even if a highly cultivated rose still produces some pollen, the multitude of tightly packed petals creates a physical barrier that prevents a bee from landing and reaching the exposed stamens.
Understanding the Sensory Signals Bees Seek
A bee’s foraging behavior is driven by biological signals that guide it toward a valuable nutritional reward. The primary rewards a bee seeks are carbohydrates from nectar, which fuels its flight, and protein from pollen. In the case of roses, most species do not produce nectar and are visited by bees solely for their pollen.
Bees rely heavily on their unique vision, which allows them to perceive light in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, unlike humans. Many flowers display UV patterns, often called nectar guides, that direct the bee toward the center of the bloom. This visual signal is frequently absent or altered in heavily hybridized roses. Floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which we perceive as scent, also play a significant role in long-distance attraction. While many ornamental roses are highly fragrant to the human nose, the specific chemical composition of that scent may not be the same attractive signal that guides bees to species roses.
Selecting Varieties for a Bee-Friendly Rose Garden
Gardeners who wish to support local pollinator populations should select rose varieties that have retained their ancestral characteristics. The most reliable choices are single-petal roses, which feature an open, flat flower structure with five to ten petals. This simple architecture leaves the center of the bloom completely exposed, making the pollen-laden stamens easy for a bee to access.
Wild roses, also known as species roses, are genetic ancestors of all cultivated varieties and are consistently the best choice for bees. Examples like the robust Rosa rugosa or the native Dog Rose (Rosa canina) are highly attractive because they produce an abundance of exposed pollen. Many heirloom or Old Garden Roses that predate the modern hybridization era also maintain bee-friendly structures. When selecting a new rose, look for variety descriptions that specifically mention “open center” or “single-flowered” characteristics. Semi-double roses, which typically have between 10 and 20 petals, can also be beneficial, provided the stamens are still clearly visible.
Specific cultivars known to be excellent for pollinators include ‘Scarborough Fair’, ‘Kew Gardens’, and the climbing rose ‘Mermaid’, all of which feature open flowers and prominent golden stamens.
Avoiding Chemical Intervention
Beyond selecting the right variety, it is important to avoid using systemic pesticides in the rose garden. These chemicals can be absorbed by the plant and contaminate the pollen that foraging bees seek to collect. Choosing disease-resistant varieties also reduces the need for chemical intervention, ensuring a safer food source for the bees.