Understanding which flowers do not attract bees is valuable for gardeners seeking to manage the flow of pollinating insects in specific areas. This knowledge allows for the creation of targeted planting zones, such as around patios or play areas, while still supporting overall pollinator health elsewhere. The reasons certain plants are avoided are rooted in the sensory biology of the bee, involving visual perception, olfactory cues, and the physical characteristics of the flower itself. Bees primarily seek a reliable source of high-energy nectar and protein-rich pollen, and flowers that fail to signal this reward are generally ignored.
Sensory Characteristics That Deter Bees
Bee vision plays a substantial role in flower selection, operating differently than human sight. Bees are trichromatic, possessing photoreceptors sensitive to ultraviolet (UV), blue, and green light wavelengths, but they cannot perceive the color red as a distinct hue. Consequently, flowers that appear deep red to the human eye often appear black or dark gray to a bee. This makes them difficult to distinguish from surrounding foliage and a poor visual target.
Color blindness to red is a major factor in the avoidance of many bird-pollinated flowers, which evolved to attract avian visitors instead of insects. The most attractive colors for bees are in the blue, purple, and violet range, often featuring distinct UV-reflective patterns known as nectar guides. Flowers lacking these UV bullseyes or lines fail to provide the visual roadmap bees use to quickly locate a food source, leading to passive avoidance.
Olfactory cues provide the second major filter for bee attraction, often acting as a long-distance signal. Floral scents are composed of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can signal either a reward or a deterrent. While bees are drawn to sweet, pleasant scents, they are strongly repelled by complex or pungent aromatic compounds. These compounds often signify toxicity, a lack of nectar, or are used by the plant to deter herbivores.
Specific Plants Bees Are Known to Avoid
Many common garden plants are avoided by bees due to a combination of these sensory and structural factors. Red Geraniums (Pelargonium species) are a classic example, as the intense red color is poorly visible to bees, and many cultivars have been bred to produce very little pollen or nectar. The lack of a visible target combined with a minimal reward means the flower is not worth the bee’s time investment.
Marigolds (Tagetes species) present a nuanced case; some open-centered varieties attract bees, but others are largely avoided. Avoidance is primarily due to the intense, pungent scent of the foliage, which contains volatile compounds like thiophenes and limonene. These chemicals act as natural insect repellents, and their strong odor can overwhelm the delicate scent signals bees rely on to find forage. Highly double-ruffled Marigold cultivars also have physical structures that make it difficult for bees to access pollen or nectar.
The Artemisia genus, which includes Wormwood, is a potent chemical deterrent due to its bitter, complex aromatic profile. The leaves and flowers release compounds such as camphor and cineole, which have insecticidal and highly repellent properties against many insects. This strong, volatile chemical signal actively pushes bees away, making it a reliable choice for establishing an aromatic barrier in a garden.
Avoidance is frequently seen with flowers that feature a closed or tubular structure, such as the Trumpet Flower or certain hybrid roses. These shapes physically obstruct the bee’s path to the nectar, making the reward inaccessible to all but specialized, long-tongued pollinators. Hybrid cultivars of popular flowers, like certain double-bloom Begonias or Pansies, are also overlooked. They have been selectively bred for petal count and color at the expense of nectar and pollen production, rendering them nutritionally barren to a foraging bee.
Understanding Bee Behavior and Avoidance
Bee avoidance of certain plants is generally a form of passive selection rather than active “hatred,” reflecting an economic decision by the forager. A bee’s behavior is driven by efficiency; it learns to ignore flowers that do not provide a clear visual or olfactory signal of a caloric reward. This passive avoidance is different from active chemical repulsion, where a plant’s strong volatile compounds, such as the menthol in Peppermint or the oils in Eucalyptus leaves, create a physical barrier by overwhelming the bee’s sensitive olfactory system.
For gardeners, this distinction is important for non-harmful pest management. Planting highly aromatic herbs like Basil or Wormwood near outdoor seating areas creates a localized repellent buffer without posing a threat to the insect population. This strategy redirects bees to other areas of the garden that offer the clear, accessible forage they require. The goal is to manage bee traffic in human-occupied zones while maintaining ample, attractive flowering plants elsewhere to support conservation efforts.