Coneflowers (Echinacea) are hardy North American perennial plants that have become a popular fixture in gardens worldwide. Characterized by their prominent central cones, these distinctive flowers are valuable resources for local ecosystems. Bees are clearly attracted to coneflowers. These robust plants provide a sustained and easily accessible food source for numerous pollinator species throughout the summer and fall.
Why Bees Seek Out Coneflowers
Bees are attracted to coneflowers because the plant provides a dual resource of protein-rich pollen and carbohydrate-rich nectar. Pollen is the primary source of protein needed for larval development and colony growth. Nectar provides the energy required for foraging and hive maintenance. Bees actively seek flowers that offer these nutritional rewards in abundance.
The architecture of the coneflower head, which is a composite structure, makes the flower particularly attractive to a variety of foraging insects. What appears to be a single large flower is actually a dense cluster of many tiny individual flowers, called florets, packed onto the dome-shaped receptacle. These florets bloom sequentially, starting from the outside edge and moving upward. This ensures a continuous supply of fresh nectar and pollen over a long period.
The shape of the flower is open and shallow, unlike tubular flowers that restrict access to only certain pollinators with long mouthparts. This open structure allows bees to land directly onto the fertile central cone, where resources are readily available. This easy accessibility means bees can efficiently collect resources quickly, maximizing their foraging efforts. Bees are also the most effective pollinators for coneflowers, indicating a successful partnership.
Different Bee Species That Visit Coneflowers
Coneflowers attract a broad spectrum of bee species, from managed honey bees to numerous native solitary bees. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are generalist foragers frequently observed collecting both nectar and pollen from the central disc florets. Their presence indicates the flower’s high resource value.
Bumblebees (Bombus species) are also prominent visitors, often seen buzzing around the large flower heads. As large, robust foragers, the sturdy coneflower provides a stable landing platform for them to work the florets. Their size and hairy bodies make them highly effective at moving pollen between plants.
Many smaller native bees, including various solitary species, also utilize coneflowers. These can include smaller sweat bees and certain long-horned bees, which may be less conspicuous than their larger counterparts. The open structure of the cone is conducive to foraging for bees of different sizes. This supports a high diversity of insect life in the garden.
Choosing Coneflower Varieties for Optimal Bee Foraging
For gardeners supporting bee populations, the choice of coneflower variety is important. Traditional or straight-species coneflowers, such as the native purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), have a simple, single-petal structure with a clear central cone. These varieties offer the most straightforward access to pollen and nectar, making them the most valuable for foraging bees.
In contrast, many modern hybrid cultivars feature “double-flowered” forms. In these forms, the central cone is obscured or replaced by a dense proliferation of ray petals. These hybridized varieties often physically block access to the pollen-bearing stamens and nectar-producing glands. One study showed that single-bloomed coneflowers received an average of 69 pollinator visits, while double-flowered varieties attracted fewer than 9 visits, demonstrating a significant reduction in ecological value.
Gardeners should prioritize planting the straight species or cultivars labeled as “single-flowered” to ensure maximum benefit for pollinators. Planting coneflowers in large drifts or dense groups also increases their visibility and attraction to foraging bees. Placing these groups in sunny locations, where the flowers produce the most nectar, helps create an easily recognizable and productive food source for local bee populations.