Peonies (Paeonia species) are popular garden perennials known for their large, showy blooms in late spring and early summer. The question of whether these plants attract bees has a conditional answer, as not all peonies are equal in supporting pollinators. While the genus offers valuable resources, the flower’s physical structure dictates whether a visiting bee can access the pollen and nectar inside. Gardeners must be selective, focusing on bloom types that provide an open invitation to foraging insects.
Peony Flower Structure and Pollinator Access
A peony’s ability to attract bees is determined by its floral morphology, specifically the accessibility of its reproductive organs. Bees seek pollen (a protein source) and nectar (a carbohydrate source), which are located at the center of the flower. The ancestral, or wild, form of the peony is a simple single flower with an open center, allowing easy access to the numerous pollen-bearing stamens and nectar glands.
Horticultural breeding has resulted in numerous flower forms, many of which inadvertently obstruct the food source. In double and bomb-type peonies, the plant’s stamens have been genetically modified, or “doubled,” into extra petals known as petaloids. This dense layering of modified petals completely covers the center of the flower, trapping the pollen and nectar inside a structure impenetrable to most foraging bees.
The doubling process converts pollen-rich anthers into colorful, sterile tissue, effectively removing the bee’s food source. A bee may land on a massive, fully double bloom, but it cannot collect the necessary resources, making the flower ecologically useless. Consequently, only varieties that retain an open center, exposing the yellow, pollen-dusted stamens, serve as effective pollinator resources.
Identifying the Best Peony Varieties for Bees
The most effective peony varieties for attracting bees are those classified as single, semi-double, or Japanese form, all featuring a visible, accessible center. Single-form peonies, such as ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ and ‘America,’ have a single or double row of guard petals surrounding a prominent tuft of yellow stamens. These open structures provide direct access to the pollen, a primary food source for many bee species.
Semi-double forms, including varieties like ‘Coral Charm’ and ‘Paula Fay,’ contain more petals than single types, but they still intersperse them with numerous functional stamens. The Japanese form, exemplified by ‘Bowl of Beauty,’ presents a unique structure where the outer petals surround a center mass of staminodes—modified, often brightly colored, stamens that may still produce some pollen. These herbaceous hybrids (Paeonia lactiflora and Paeonia officinalis) are the most reliable for early-season foraging.
Intersectional peonies (Itoh hybrids) and Tree Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are good choices because many cultivars are naturally single or semi-double. Open-centered Itohs and Tree Peonies extend the foraging season with their earlier bloom times, often featuring large, accessible flowers. When selecting any peony type, the visual confirmation of a bright, prominent ring or tuft of stamens in the center is the most reliable indicator of a bee-friendly plant.
Maximizing Bee Visits and Pollen Availability
To ensure peonies are a successful foraging stop, gardeners should consider the plant’s environment and its bloom sequence. Peonies generally provide one of the earliest pollen and nectar sources, often blooming in late spring when emerging native bees and honeybees are searching for food. Planting them in full sun is helpful, as ample sunlight often correlates with higher nectar and pollen production.
Before the flowers even open, peonies offer a sugary substance known as extrafloral nectar, which is secreted by the developing buds. This sticky exudate attracts ants but also provides an additional, early food source for bees and other insects, demonstrating the plant’s value beyond the open bloom. For continuous support, peonies should be integrated into a diverse planting scheme that offers sequential blooms throughout the season.
Gardeners must avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides, especially neonicotinoids, on or near peony plants, as these chemicals are toxic to foraging bees. If pest management is necessary, employing organic methods or only applying treatments when bees are not actively foraging will protect visiting insects. Grouping several bee-friendly peonies together creates a larger, more visible resource patch, which increases foraging efficiency and encourages repeat visits by pollinators.