Do Bees Like Marigolds

If you’re planning a garden to help bees, you might wonder, do bees like marigolds? These bright flowers are a common sight, but their relationship with pollinators is a bit of a garden mystery. Let’s look at the facts so you can make the best choices for your buzzing visitors.

Marigolds, especially the classic French and African varieties, are famous for their pest-repelling qualities. Their strong scent is great for keeping away certain insects. But that same scent can be a double-edged sword when it comes to attracting bees. Understanding this balance is key to a succesful pollinator garden.

The short answer is: it depends on the type of marigold. Many common hybrid marigolds have been bred for big, fluffy, double blooms. These flowers can be so packed with petals that bees find it hard to access the pollen and nectar. For a bee, it’s like a door with no handle.

However, single-petal marigold varieties are a different story. These have a clear, open center that makes the pollen easily available. Bees can land and get to work without a struggle. So, the appeal really comes down to the flower’s shape and accessibility.

What Bees Look For in a Flower

Bees visit flowers for two main resources: nectar for energy and pollen for protein. They are guided by sight and smell. Here’s what makes a flower bee-friendly:

Color: Bees see colors differently than we do. They are especially attracted to blues, purples, yellows, and whites.
Scent: A floral, sweet, or fresh scent is inviting. Overly pungent or bitter smells can be a turn-off.
Shape: Simple, open flowers or tubular shapes they can crawl into are best.
Nectar Guides: Many flowers have ultraviolet patterns that direct bees right to the nectar, like a runway lights.

The Best Marigold Varieties for Bees

To make your marigolds a bee attraction, choose heirloom or single-flower types. These varieties often have the traits bees prefer. Here are some excellent choices:

Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia): These are the top choice. They have tiny, single, daisy-like flowers and a lighter, citrusy scent. Bees and butterflies love them.
Lemon Gem or Tangerine Gem Marigolds: Cultivars of signet marigolds with bright yellow or orange flowers.
Single French Marigolds (Tagetes patula): Look for varieties like ‘Disco’ or ‘Brocade’ that have a visible central disc of pollen.
Wild or “Crackerjack” Type Marigolds: Some older, simpler varieties can be good sources if they aren’t too double.

How to Plant a Bee-Friendly Marigold Patch

Planting for bees is easy. Follow these steps to create a spot they’ll want to visit all season.

Pick the Right Spot: Choose a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of full sun. Bees are most active in sunny areas.
Prepare the Soil: Marigolds aren’t picky, but well-drained soil is best. Mix in some compost to give them a good start.
Plant in Clusters: Bees are more likely to find plants grouped together. Plant marigolds in drifts of at least three to five plants.
Skip the Pesticides: Avoid using any chemical sprays on or near your flowers. They can harm the bees you’re trying to help.
Provide Water: Place a shallow dish with water and pebbles (for landing spots) nearby so bees can safely drink.

Companion Plants to Grow With Marigolds

Marigolds work great in a team. Pair them with other proven bee favorites to create a powerhouse pollinator bed. This ensures there’s always something in bloom and attracting visitors. Here’s a winning combination:

For Spring: Plant marigolds alongside borage and lavender. Borage is a bee magnet with its star-shaped blue flowers.
For Summer Color: Combine with zinnias, cosmos, and echinacea (coneflower). These all have simple, open shapes bees adore.
For Herbs: Interplant with basil, mint, or rosemary. Let some of these herbs flower, and bees will thank you for the treat.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good intentions, its easy to make a few errors that keep bees away. Watch out for these common pitfalls.

Choosing “Double-Flowered” Hybrids: Always check the seed packet or plant tag. Avoid descriptions like “double,” “full,” or “ruffled” if you want bee-friendly blooms.
Over-Fertilizing: Too much fertilizer, especially high-nitrogen types, can lead to lots of leaves but few flowers. Less flowers means less food for bees.
Not Deadheading: Regularly removing spent flowers (deadheading) encourages the plant to produce more blooms. More blooms means more chances for bees to visit.
Ignoring Season Length: Marigolds are often treated as annuals. Plant them after the last frost and keep them going until fall for a long season of color.

Beyond Bees: The Other Benefits of Marigolds

While attracting bees is a goal, marigolds offer other fantastic garden benefits. Their strong scent is known to deter pests like nematodes in the soil and whiteflies above ground. Many gardeners plant them as a natural border around vegetable patches. They’re also incredibly easy to grow from seed, making them a budget-friendly choice for filling large spaces with color.

FAQ: Your Marigold and Bee Questions Answered

Do honey bees and bumblebees like marigolds?
Yes, both will visit single-petal marigold varieties. Bumblebees, being larger, might prefer more sturdy flowers, but they won’t ignore an easy food source.

What flowers do bees like more than marigolds?
Bees are highly attracted to plants like lavender, borage, sunflowers, bee balm, and salvia. These are often considered more reliable than most marigolds for bee traffic.

Are marigolds good for anything else in the garden?
Absolutely! They are famous for companion planting. Their roots can help suppress harmful nematodes, and their scent masks the smell of vegetable plants from pests like aphids.

Can I save seeds from my bee-friendly marigolds?
Yes, and you should! Let a few flowers dry completely on the plant. Then, collect the dried seed heads, break them open, and store the seeds in a cool, dry place for planting next year.

In the end, the question “do bees like marigolds” has a hopeful answer. By selecting the right, single-petal varieties and planting them thoughtfully, you can enjoy there vibrant color while supporting your local bee population. It’s a simple change that makes your garden both beautiful and beneficial.