Hydrangeas are popular shrubs that bring color and structure to garden spaces, and their popularity has led to the development of many varieties. Gardeners often seek types of hydrangeas that will not attract bees, typically due to allergies or concerns about high insect traffic near patios and doorways. While no flowering plant completely deters all pollinators, the structure of the hydrangea bloom dictates its appeal to bees. Selecting the right cultivar based on flower anatomy is the most effective way to minimize bee presence in specific areas.
The Biology of Bee Attraction to Hydrangeas
The fundamental difference in bee attraction comes down to the two distinct flower types present on a single hydrangea plant: sterile and fertile. The large, showy, petal-like structures, which are actually enlarged sepals, are the sterile florets. These sterile flowers contain no pollen or nectar, offering no reward to a foraging bee.
Bees are only interested in the small, inconspicuous fertile florets, which contain the pollen and nectar they need for food. The accessibility of these fertile flowers determines a hydrangea’s appeal. Varieties that have a high ratio of sterile to fertile florets, or whose sterile florets physically obscure the fertile ones, are generally the least attractive. Mophead hydrangeas, for instance, are far less appealing than lacecap types due to their densely packed, mostly sterile structure.
Low-Attraction Hydrangea Varieties for Gardeners
The best strategy for avoiding bee attraction is to choose cultivars bred to maximize the number of sterile florets. The most reliable type is the classic Mophead hydrangea, which is a cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla. These large, globe-shaped flower heads are overwhelmingly composed of tightly packed sterile florets, making any small, fertile flowers difficult or impossible for a bee to reach. Because the showy parts offer no food, a bee may land briefly but will quickly move on.
Double-flowered cultivars, found in various species, are also excellent choices for minimizing bee presence. These varieties have extra layers of petals or sepals, creating a physical barrier that blocks a pollinator from reaching the center where pollen and nectar are found. For instance, the ‘Vaughn’s Lillie’ cultivar of Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) has double blooms so dense that pollinators rarely attempt to penetrate them.
In the Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea) group, cultivars with dense, conical blooms are better for low-attraction needs than the more open, lacy types. Cultivars like ‘Limelight’ or ‘PeeGee’ (H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’) have a very high percentage of sterile flowers, which limits the available food source. Those with the densest, most ball-like or cone-like clusters of sterile flowers are the least likely to sustain a foraging population.
Garden Placement and Maintenance to Minimize Bee Presence
Beyond selecting the right variety, a gardener can use placement to manage where bees congregate. Plant potentially attractive hydrangeas, such as lacecap or native varieties, in areas away from high-traffic zones. Placing these plants near a property line, a fence, or in a backyard border keeps the insects out of direct contact with people on patios or near entryways.
Regular maintenance can also reduce the overall appeal of a hydrangea throughout the flowering season. Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, is useful when the fertile florets begin to wither. Removing these spent flowers before they fully dry out eliminates accessible pollen and nectar, signaling to foraging insects that the food source is depleted.
A diversion planting strategy is an effective technique to draw bees away from sensitive areas. By planting highly attractive, nectar-rich flowers like lavender, bee balm, or native flowering herbs in a separate, distant part of the garden, the bees will focus their foraging efforts there. This provides the pollinators with a dedicated food source while allowing the less-attractive hydrangeas to be enjoyed closer to the home with minimal insect activity.