The question of whether honey bees like hydrangeas does not have a simple yes or no answer, as the Hydrangea genus includes over 100 species and countless cultivated varieties. Bee attraction depends entirely on the specific flower structure of the plant. Some hydrangeas are excellent sources of nectar and pollen, while others offer no benefit to pollinators. Gardeners must understand the differences in floral anatomy to recognize which varieties sustain insect life.
The Anatomy of Showy vs. Fertile Flowers
The ability of a hydrangea to attract honey bees hinges on the presence of two distinct flower types within its bloom clusters, known as florets. The first is the showy, sterile floret, featuring large, colorful, papery sepals designed to catch the eye. These large florets do not contain the reproductive parts that produce pollen or nectar, offering no nutritional reward. Their primary purpose is to advertise the cluster to potential pollinators.
The second type is the fertile floret, which is small, often inconspicuous, and located in the center of the flower cluster. These tiny flowers contain the plant’s stamens and pistils, making them the source of pollen and nectar that honey bees seek. When a bee is drawn in by the surrounding showy florets, it lands on the fertile ones to collect food, inadvertently facilitating pollination. The ratio of these two floret types determines the plant’s true value to a honey bee.
Hydrangea Varieties That Attract Honey Bees
Certain species and cultivars of hydrangeas are excellent choices for honey bees because their flower heads feature a high number of accessible fertile florets. Hydrangea paniculata, the Panicle Hydrangea, is a prime example. Varieties like ‘Kyushu’ and ‘Confetti’ are known for their generous pollen and nectar supply, often having a conical or panicle-shaped bloom structure that prominently displays the small, feeding flowers.
The Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is another favored species, especially native varieties like ‘Haas Halo’ and ‘Annabelle’ types that retain an open, fertile structure. The Lacecap types of Hydrangea macrophylla are beneficial because they feature a flat flower head with a central cluster of fertile florets encircled by larger, showy sterile florets. This design makes the pollen and nectar easily accessible. The Rough-Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea aspera) and the Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) also offer abundant fertile flowers.
Why Some Hydrangeas Are Not Bee Favorites
Many popular garden hydrangeas are of little use to honey bees because they have been selectively bred to maximize aesthetic appeal at the expense of floral function. The Mophead varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla are the most common example of this breeding focus. These plants feature large, dense, ball-shaped flower heads composed almost entirely of the showy, sterile florets.
This manipulation has effectively eliminated or deeply buried the small, nectar-producing fertile florets, rendering the bloom a floral dead end for a foraging insect. A honey bee may land on a Mophead bloom, but it quickly moves on after discovering the lack of pollen or nectar reward. Highly cultivated double-flowered types also often have petals that crowd the center of the flower, physically blocking access to the fertile parts.
Maximizing Pollinator Support in the Garden
Gardeners wanting to support honey bee populations should prioritize planting hydrangeas that feature open, natural flower forms. Choosing a Lacecap or Panicle variety over a dense Mophead is the most impactful decision for providing a reliable food source. When selecting a cultivar, look for those described as having “fertile flowers” or an “open” structure to ensure the plant offers a nutritional reward.
Integrating native species, such as Hydrangea arborescens or Hydrangea quercifolia, into the landscape can also provide substantial support for local bee species. To ensure a continuous food supply, plant hydrangeas alongside other flowering plants that bloom throughout the season. This strategy provides a succession of nectar and pollen sources, which is more valuable to a honey bee colony than a single, short-lived bloom. Finally, avoid the use of pesticides, especially during the plant’s flowering period, to protect the bees visiting your garden.