Bees have fascinating color vision that is different from humans. Their color perception is driven by their need to find flowers to collect pollen and nectar from. Understanding what colors bees are most attracted to can help gardeners design bee-friendly flower gardens.
How bee vision works
Bees see colors in the blue-green, blue, violet, and ultraviolet spectrum. They have three types of photoreceptor cells in their eyes that allow them to see ultraviolet light as a distinct color. Humans cannot see ultraviolet light. Bees also cannot see the color red as distinctly as humans can.
Additionally, bees can see polarized light. The ability to detect polarized light helps bees find water sources and navigate using patterns of polarization in the sky.
Colors bees are most attracted to
Since bees see in the ultraviolet spectrum, they are particularly attracted to flowers that have ultraviolet patterns on them. These flowers reflect UV light in patterns like stripes, dots, and rings that are invisible to the human eye.
Research has found that bees have innate preferences and will visit certain colors more than others if given a choice:
- Blue – Bees have a strong preference for blue flowers. Blue flowers, like bluebells and borage, attract the most bee visitors.
- Purple – Bees can see the ultraviolet patterns on violet and purple flowers that guide them to nectar. Popular purple flowers include lavender, allium, and catmint.
- Yellow – Bees are attracted to various shades of yellow, from pale lemon to bright sunflower yellow. Dandelions, sunflowers, and daffodils are yellow bee favorites.
- White – Bees visit white flowers frequently. White flowers like daisies reflect UV light well.
- Orange – Orange flowers such as California poppies attract bees, but less so than blue or purple flowers.
In general, bees prefer flower colors at the blue end of the color spectrum over red end colors. However, flower shape, scent, and availability also influence bee visitation.
Do bees like pink flowers?
Bees have difficulty seeing the color red. Red looks black to bees. Pink flowers, light red flowers, and red flowers with ultraviolet pattern guides can attract bees, but bright red flowers tend to go unvisited.
Some good pink bee friendly flowers include:
- Pentas
- Cosmos
- Allysum
- Phlox
- Roses
- Fuchsia
- Dianthus
Colors bees avoid
Bees tend to avoid flowers in the red color spectrum because they cannot see the color red well. Red looks black to a bee. Here are some flowers bees often do not visit:
- Red roses
- Red zinnias
- Scarlet sage
- Cardinal flower
- Coral bells
- Geraniums
However, some red flowers have ultraviolet pattern guides or a more pinkish hue that can still attract bees. It depends on the individual flower and species of bee.
Flowers to attract bees
Here is a table of some of the top flower colors, plants, and blooming times to attract bees:
| Color | Flowers | Bloom Time |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Borage, Hyssop, Catmint, Salvia, Lavender | Spring – Fall |
| Purple | Allium, Lavender, Catmint, Hyssop | Spring – Summer |
| Yellow | Sunflowers, Dandelions, Goldenrod, Black-eyed Susans | Summer – Fall |
| White | Yarrow, Oxeye Daisy, Clovers, Elderflower | Spring – Summer |
| Pink | Cosmos, Pentas, Roses, Phlox, Allysum | Spring – Fall |
Planting a bee garden
Follow these tips to design a garden to attract and support bees:
- Plant flowers of different colors and blooming seasons to provide nectar and pollen all season long.
- Include plenty of blue, purple, yellow, and white flowers that bees favor.
- Plant flowers in clumps together, not single plants spread apart.
- Have a water source like a bird bath, fountain, or bee waterer.
- Avoid pesticides which can harm bees.
- Include host plants that native bees nest in like dead wood and unmowed grass areas.
- Choose a mix of flower shapes – bees access nectar better from different shaped flowers.
Flower planting guides by season
Here are some bee friendly flowers to plant by season:
Spring
- Crocus
- Hyacinth
- Lavender
- Clovers
- Fruit tree blossoms
Summer
- Cosmos
- Marigolds
- Sunflowers
- Russian sage
- Milkweed
Fall
- Asters
- Goldenrod
- Sedums
- Zinnias
- Purple coneflower
Conclusion
Bees have a unique ability to see ultraviolet light and are naturally attracted to blue, violet, purple, yellow, and white flowers. They particularly visit flowers with ultraviolet patterns. Gardeners can choose an array of these bee-friendly flower colors and blooming seasons to create beautiful and pollinator-supporting gardens that attract bees all year long.