Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are tall, cottage garden favorites cultivated for centuries. These impressive plants, with their stately spires of vibrant blooms, often line fences and garden borders. Given the widespread decline in pollinator populations, the health of bee communities is a major concern for gardeners. Understanding whether these classic flowers support local bees helps guide planting choices for a healthier ecosystem.
The Attraction: Why Bees Seek Out Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks belong to the Malvaceae family, a plant group that includes hibiscus and cotton, which is generally well-regarded for attracting pollinators. Their large, open, trumpet-shaped blooms are highly accessible to foraging insects, acting as visual beacons on stalks that can reach up to eight feet tall.
The plant provides two primary resources necessary for bee survival and colony health. Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by five distinct nectaries at the base of the sepals. This sweet liquid is a high-energy carbohydrate source necessary for adult bees to power their flight and foraging activities. Pollen serves as the primary source of protein and fats for developing bee larvae.
As a bee reaches deep into the flower to access the nectar, its fuzzy body inevitably brushes against the central column of stamens and anthers. Hollyhock pollen grains are large and possess a prickly surface, making them highly effective at adhering to the bee’s coat. This ensures the bee becomes dusted with pollen, ready to transfer it to the next flower. Blooming in mid-summer, hollyhocks are a valuable food source when other spring-blooming plants have faded.
Diversity of Bee Visitors
Hollyhocks are considered generalist flowers, utilized by a wide variety of bee species rather than being restricted to specialized pollinators. The most frequent and noticeable visitors are the large, fuzzy generalists, particularly bumblebees. Bumblebees are well-suited to the flower’s structure; their larger body size and long tongues allow them to effectively navigate the bloom and reach the deep nectar stores.
Honeybees are also common visitors, though small plantings are sometimes less likely to attract them due to their preference for foraging on extensive patches (floral fidelity). However, the sheer abundance of pollen and nectar offered by the tall, multi-flowered spikes often overcomes this preference.
Beyond these common social bees, native solitary bees are also drawn to hollyhocks. This includes larger native bees like carpenter bees and longhorn bees (Melissodes species), and smaller metallic green sweat bees (Agapostemon species). A unique interaction involves leafcutter bees (Megachile species), which utilize the soft petals for nesting material, cutting small, neat circles to line their nest cells.
Cultivating Hollyhocks for Maximum Pollinator Support
Gardeners can take several actions to ensure their hollyhocks provide the greatest benefit to local bee populations. Planting location is important, as hollyhocks thrive in full sun, which promotes robust plant growth and abundant flower production. Well-drained soil is also necessary for the overall health of the plant.
The most impactful choice is selecting varieties with single-petaled flowers over heavily hybridized double-petaled forms. Single-petaled hollyhocks, such as the dark-flowered ‘Nigra,’ have open centers that provide unobstructed access to the nectar and pollen. Double-flowered varieties often have so many petals that they physically block bees from reaching the reproductive parts of the flower.
Avoiding the use of systemic pesticides is important, as these chemicals can contaminate the pollen and nectar consumed by foraging bees. Allowing the plants to self-seed is also beneficial, as this natural process ensures a continuous, reliable food source for pollinators throughout the mid to late summer season.