Yes, Bees Can See in Color – And These Are the Flowers They’re Most Attracted To

Every gardener knows that attracting bees is all about planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers – but does the color of those flowers really make a difference?

You'd be forgiven for thinking that it sounds like a myth, but since bees perceive color differently to humans, they are, in fact, drawn to some flowers more than others. This is primarily because bees see color on the ultraviolet spectrum – which means that they can view far more shades of purple and blue.

As a result, you might find that certain flowers are more likely to attract bees to your garden. Below, a wildlife expert explains the science behind this phenomenon, and offer advice on how to create a truly bee-friendly yard this spring.

Which Colors Attract Bees?

If you're keen to create a buzzing wildlife garden this spring, you'll no doubt be stocking up on flowers that attract bees – which usually means anything that produces a high amount of both nectar and pollen.

When it comes to color theory, however, experts say that blue and purple blooms are most likely to attract bees.

This is because bees perceive light in different wavelengths to humans, and they can access the ultraviolet spectrum in a way that we can't. As a result, shades like purple and blue are far more striking to them.

'Bees have excellent color vision; their visual range is comparable to the size of humans’, but it is shifted towards the shorter wavelengths of light,' explains Dr Anne Leonard, bee expert and Professor of Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno. 'This makes them capable of perceiving UV patterns on flowers (“nectar guides”) invisible to us.'

This difference in wavelengths also means that, while bees can see more shades of blue and purple than humans can, bees are unable to see other colors clearly.

'In terms of color preferences, bumble bees and honey bees tend to find blues attractive, and are less attracted to red,' says Dr Leonard.

All of this has a simple explanation: bees need to be able to pick out colors and shapes in order to find feeding sources. They will, however, prioritize nectar-rich flowers and plants, and color isn't the biggest factor that draws them to your garden.

'Bees are opportunistic and will readily explore all colors of flowers to see what they offer,' says Dr Leonard.

'To bees, flowers aren't just colorful: they are rich bouquets of scents, which also attract bees. Plus, flowers also provide an array of other cues such as temperature and even electrical charge that bees can sense.'

So, while bees are proven to have definitive color preferences, what they are really looking for is a variety of plants with plenty of feeding potential.

'There is a lot more going on than meets the eye when it comes to understanding why a bee chooses to visit a particular plant in your garden,' Dr Leonard concludes.

Dr Anne Leonard

Anne Leonard has been a professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno since 2012. Originally from Berkeley, California, she began her study of animal behavior while an undergraduate at Brown University. After receiving her Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, she received an NIH PERT postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Arizona and the Darwin Fellowship to study bee and spider behavior at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

The Best Flowers to Attract Bees This Spring

If you want to use color theory as the foundation for a bee-friendly garden, experts say that strategic planting is key – and the best plants for pollinators are those that reach beyond aesthetics.

'The nectar and pollen bees collect from plants are what sustains them, and they quickly learn to avoid visiting a good-looking but nutritionally deficient flower,' says Dr Leonard.

'While some horticultural varieties of plants are great for bees, some offer no nectar or pollen at all – they have been bred just for their look, making them a poor food source for bees and other pollinators.'

Naturally, the best options will provide both picture-perfect blooms and a reliable feeding source for bees.

Blue agapanthus and blue mist bluebeard are brilliant choices, as well as lavender shrubs (all of which you can pick up from Fast Growing Trees).

If you don't have time to fill your garden with blue and purple flowers, however, it's best to focus on any high-quality plants which are known to attract insects like bees and butterflies.

'Bees pay attention to the quality and quantity of nectar and pollen they collect,' explains Dr Leonard.

'They are discerning foodies and seem happy to visit rather nondescript plants (like a Phacelia) that offer high-quality food resources, over a beautiful rose that offers no nectar or pollen (as in many double-petaled varieties).'

Shop Bee-Friendly Blooms

Looking for more bee-friendly planting advice? Check out our guide to the different types of bees and what to plant to attract them.

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