Whether lilies attract bees depends on characteristics of both the lily and the bee. Lilies offer resources to pollinators, but their effectiveness varies based on flower structure, scent, and rewards. Understanding these factors helps gardeners inform choices for supporting local bee populations.
How Bees Interact with Flowers
Bees are drawn to flowers through visual and olfactory cues. Their compound eyes detect light, color, and movement, helping them spot flowers. Bees perceive colors differently than humans, seeing blue, yellow, and ultraviolet (UV) light, while red often appears dark. Many flowers have UV patterns, invisible to humans, that act as “nectar guides,” leading bees directly to pollen and nectar.
As bees approach, scent becomes important, guiding them to specific flowers. Flowers emit volatile compounds that bees can detect. Once at the flower, bees seek nectar, a sugary energy source, and pollen, providing essential proteins and nutrients. The flower’s physical structure, including landing platforms and reproductive parts, also helps bees access these floral rewards.
Lily Characteristics and Bee Visitation
Lily characteristics influence their appeal to bees. Their flower shapes, such as trumpet-shaped, open bowl, or recurved petals, determine bee access to nectar and pollen. Deep trumpet shapes can restrict access for some bee species, favoring those with longer tongues. Lilies present pollen on anthers, and nectar is located deeper within the flower structure.
All lilies produce pollen and nectar, but their floral architecture dictates accessibility. Lilies with more open structures and visible pollen are more accessible to a wider variety of bees. Scent and color also play roles, with some lily colors being more visible to bees and certain fragrances attracting them. The overall appeal of a lily to bees results from these features, making some varieties more attractive.
Common Lily Types and Their Pollinator Value
Different lily types offer varying pollinator value to bees. Asiatic lilies, known for their upward or outward-facing, open-bowl shapes, provide easier access to pollen and nectar, making them attractive to a broad range of bees. Oriental lilies, often large and highly fragrant, also attract pollinators, though some may have deeper throats challenging shorter-tongued bees.
Trumpet lilies, with their long, tubular flowers, attract long-tongued pollinators like hawk moths due to deep nectar. While bees may visit, their nectar access can be limited. Tiger lilies (Lilium lancifolium) have distinctive recurved petals and visible spotting, attracting bees, despite some varieties reportedly lacking scent or nectar. Daylilies (Hemerocallis), though not true lilies, are often grown with them and also attract bees with their open, often trumpet-like blooms, offering pollen and nectar.
Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden
To support bee populations, gardeners should create a diverse and welcoming environment. Planting a variety of flowers with different shapes, colors, and bloom times ensures a continuous food source for bees all season. Incorporating lilies with more open forms contributes to floral diversity, providing accessible pollen and nectar.
Beyond plant choices, avoiding pesticides is important, as they harm bee populations. Providing a shallow water source with landing spots, such as pebbles or rocks, hydrates bees. Creating nesting habitats by leaving some bare ground, hollow stems, or brush piles encourages bees to thrive in the garden.