Flowers that don't attract bees – 5 types to keep in mind when creating a haven for these beneficial insects

Bees are an incredibly important part of our ecosystem. As some of the best pollinators, they play a huge role in food production, as they enable crops to reproduce. Sadly, like many other species of wildlife, they are under threat due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and other factors – so it's vital to support them in our gardens where we can.

The easiest way to do this is to incorporate plenty of bee-friendly blooms in our pots and borders, whether that's fragrant lavender, vibrant zinnias, or flowering native plants. Knowing which are less attractive to bees can be useful, too, so you can opt for more beneficial plants for pollinators instead.

Being aware of the types of flowers that don't attract bees may also be helpful if you want to keep them away from a specific outdoor area, such as an alfresco dining spot. But, if this is your intention, be sure to grow plenty of helpful plants for them elsewhere.

Types of flowers that don't attract bees, according to experts

Megan Bryant, lead horticulturist and landscape designer at Collington, loves promoting bee-friendly plants because of the incredible work pollinators do for our environment.

However, she does note that there can be times when people’s personal comfort level of being around bees should be taken into consideration.

'When it comes to bee-attractant plants, placement is important,' she says. For instance, you may want to avoid using them along high-traffic walkways, and use varieties that are less attractive to them instead.

For this, she recommends choosing plants with darker colors, minimal fragrance, low pollen production, and smaller bloom sizes.

Megan Bryant

Megan Bryant is the lead horticulturist and landscape designer at Collington, a senior living community in Mitchellville, Maryland, and a Kendal Affiliate. She has been a devoted environmentalist throughout her life and has discovered unique ways of combining her artistic abilities and scientific passion through environmental filmmaking and landscape design. Her greatest focus today is creating community and engagement, especially with older adults at Collington, through environmental education and ecologically centered landscape designs.

1. Double-petalled Flowers

Arthur Cole, head of programmes at The Newt in Somerset, UK, says that flowers that do not attract bees tend to be the double-flowered (double-petalled) cultivated varieties (cultivars) of popular species such as roses, marigolds, petunias, and pansies. Double-petalled dahlias, such as 'Café au Lait', are another example.

Yes – they may be beautiful, and a great addition to cut flower gardens. However, the reason why double-petalled blooms are of lesser use to our busy, buzzing friends is that they have less pollen, plus the densely-packed petals makes access to this difficult. To benefit bees, opt for single-blooming flowers instead.

Arthur Cole

Arthur Cole serves as head of programmes at The Newt in Somerset, a role that sees him at the helm of crafting ideas and curating unique experiences. Arthur’s passion for horticulture was nurtured in his childhood by his grandmother, whose garden in North Norfolk became the backdrop for his earliest lessons in plants and landscapes. He later formalized this love at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, where he honed his expertise. His career has since spanned diverse roles: head gardener on a private estate in Scotland, permaculturist in New York, and specialist bulb grower in the Cotswolds. Today, he channels this wealth of experience into shaping one of Britain’s most innovative garden and hospitality destinations.

2. Ornamental Grasses

Arthur also notes that ornamental grasses, such as miscanthus, stipa, and pennisetum, won't attract bees. Megan adds sedges to the list, too.

However, don't forget that these plants are often beneficial to other small creatures by providing shelter and sustenance, so can still be valuable additions to a wildlife garden.

For both ornamental grasses and sedges, Megan recommends planting them in spring or fall and watering them thoroughly during the first year. 'There are full-sun and shade-tolerant varieties,' she adds.

3. Red Zonal Geraniums

Megan says red zonal geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) won't attract bees, as they struggle to see red wavelengths. 'Plant in full sun and water when the soil is dry to the touch,' she says.

They're a brilliant patio container plant if you're looking for low-maintenance color over the summer months. Deadhead them regularly to keep them looking their best.

While red may be less enticing for bees, red blooms are said to be attractive to hummingbirds – especially tubular-shaped ones such as cardinal flowers.

4. Wax Begonias

Megan adds wax begonias (Semperflorens Cultorum Group) to our list, too, explaining how they are less fragrant, with colors that bees find unappealing.

Alongside their blooms (which last from spring until fall), wax begonias have glossy leaves, and are often grown as ground cover.

They're best in partial shade in rich, well-draining soil, Megan says. Note that they're generally treated as annuals in cooler climates.

5. Impatiens

Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) are brilliant for bringing a splash of color to shaded areas of a garden. However, according to Megan, they aren't so great for bees. Not only are the blooms small, but they also tend to have little pollen and nectar available.

If you still want to grow some in your yard, Megan recommends planting them in partial to full shade in well-drained soil after the chance of frost has passed.

If you want to help bees in your backyard, you don't have to rule out the above plants entirely. For instance, Arthur says they have quite a few ornamental grasses and double-flowering plants in their gardens due to their aesthetic and horticultural interest.

'However, compared to flowering plants that do attract bees, their numbers pale into significance as we place enormous value on bees visiting the gardens as they form a vital and integral part of a healthy ecosystem,' he says.

'Our very survival on this planet (and the survival of all that we hold dear) is dependent on continued existence and increased abundance of the bees and other pollinators – we plant our beds with the bees' interests in mind.'

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