Begonias are popular ornamental plants, prized for their vibrant, long-lasting flowers and attractive foliage. Gardeners often seek to combine visual beauty with ecological support, leading to questions about the value of these plants to local wildlife. Understanding whether begonias contribute to a pollinator-friendly garden requires looking beyond their showy appearance to their floral structure and resource content. The relationship between bees and begonias is complex, influenced by centuries of horticultural breeding aimed primarily at human aesthetic preferences. Investigating the plant’s biology reveals why most common garden varieties offer little to the bees that forage in our yards.
The Direct Answer: Begonias as Pollinator Plants
Most commercially available begonias, particularly the large-flowered tuberous and bedding varieties, offer minimal benefit to bees and other pollinators. These plants are cultivated for their colorful display, a trait often achieved by selecting characteristics that reduce or eliminate food resources for insects. Compared to native wildflowers or common garden herbs, begonias are poor sources of forage because their reproductive strategy is often incompatible with a foraging bee’s needs. Some single-flowered, less-hybridized varieties of Begonia do produce small amounts of pollen that certain bees may collect. However, these exceptions remain few, and their overall contribution to a bee’s diet is small, especially when richer resources are available nearby.
What Begonias Lack for Bees
The primary reason most begonias fail to attract and sustain bees lies in their floral biology and the effects of intensive breeding. Unlike many flowering plants that produce both male and female parts within a single flower (perfect flowers), begonias are monoecious, meaning they bear separate male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers on the same plant. This structure already introduces a challenge for pollinators, as only the male flowers offer the pollen reward that bees seek.
A significant issue is the near-total lack of nectar in most begonia species. Nectar is a sugary fluid that provides the energy adult bees need for flight and daily activity, and without it, the flower cannot sustain foraging visits. In their native habitat, some wild Begonia species rely solely on offering pollen as a reward, a resource the female flowers then try to mimic visually to deceive the bee into visiting them. This deception is known as food-deception automimicry.
The most popular garden varieties, such as tuberous begonias, are often bred to have “double flowers,” a trait that compounds the lack of resources. In a double flower, the plant’s reproductive organs, the stamens (which produce pollen) and pistils, are converted into extra petals. This transformation physically eliminates the pollen and nectar-producing structures, rendering the flower completely sterile and useless as a food source for insects. Even in single-flowered hybrids, the focus on aesthetic traits often results in diminished pollen quantity or quality, making the effort of collection a poor energy investment for a bee.
Key Characteristics That Attract Bees
To understand why begonias are often overlooked, it helps to know the sensory cues and rewards that bees actively seek in the garden. Bees possess trichromatic vision, allowing them to see ultraviolet (UV) light, blue, and green wavelengths, but they are relatively insensitive to the color red. Flowers in the purple, violet, and blue spectrums are highly attractive to bees. These colors often combine with UV patterns, or “nectar guides,” that are invisible to humans but act as visual targets to direct the bee toward the food source.
The physical structure of the flower is important for accessibility. Bees generally favor flowers with an open, landing-pad structure, such as those found in the daisy family, which allows for easy access to pollen and nectar. Conversely, complex flower shapes or those with long, narrow tubes may exclude certain species, favoring specialized, long-tongued insects. Floral scent is also an important long-distance cue, and this fragrance can be unintentionally bred out of ornamental plants, making them harder for bees to locate.
The most fundamental characteristic is the availability of resources: abundant, accessible pollen and nectar. Pollen supplies protein and fat, which are necessary for larval development, while nectar provides the carbohydrates needed for adult energy. A truly bee-friendly flower provides a generous and easily obtainable supply of both throughout its blooming period. This consistent supply ensures that bees can forage efficiently, which is essential for the survival and health of the colony.
Bee-Friendly Alternatives for Gardeners
Gardeners seeking to maximize pollinator support should focus on plants that offer open flower structures and rich, accessible food rewards. Replacing ornamental begonias with single-flowered annuals is one immediate and effective strategy. Plants like Zinnias and Cosmos, especially the single-petal varieties, provide abundant pollen and a clear landing surface for a wide range of bees and butterflies. Single-flowered Marigolds and Sweet Alyssum are also excellent options, with Alyssum being particularly noted for its strong, honey-like scent that attracts pollinators.
Incorporating perennial and herb alternatives ensures a more sustained food source across the growing season. Blue and purple flowers, such as Lavender, Salvia, and Bee Balm (Monarda), are highly attractive to bees and supply substantial nectar. For a continuous supply, gardeners should select a variety of plants that bloom sequentially from early spring to late fall, ensuring no gaps in the foraging calendar. Planting these alternatives in large groups, known as mass planting, makes the flowers more visually appealing and easier for bees to locate, increasing foraging efficiency. Beyond flowers, a truly supportive habitat includes access to clean water and undisturbed areas for nesting.