Are there any plants that keeps bees away from flowers?
I was curious if I planted some flowers in my courtyard. If there were any plants I could plant just outside or around my front yard to minimize how many bees we see.
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Hi Nick, welcome to Greg!
Plants that usually deter bees and other insects are ones that have a very strong smell. Think of ones you usually see sold as essential oils: basil, mint, rose, geranium, eucalyptus, etc. Marigolds can also be a good option.
That said, the bee population is in serious decline and needs all the help they could get so if you can, I suggest also planting a bee friendly garden further away from where you like to enjoy your time on your property.
That way you can have:
1. Flowers in the courtyard.
2. Plants to deter bees and other bugs/insects.
3. Somewhere for them to gather away from where you gather (and more pretty flowers for you to look at from afar).
Plants that usually deter bees and other insects are ones that have a very strong smell. Think of ones you usually see sold as essential oils: basil, mint, rose, geranium, eucalyptus, etc. Marigolds can also be a good option.
That said, the bee population is in serious decline and needs all the help they could get so if you can, I suggest also planting a bee friendly garden further away from where you like to enjoy your time on your property.
That way you can have:
1. Flowers in the courtyard.
2. Plants to deter bees and other bugs/insects.
3. Somewhere for them to gather away from where you gather (and more pretty flowers for you to look at from afar).
@plantmompy as a keeper of bees, I can safely say mint is definitely off that list because they love love love it. They also really love Basil. My Basil bush is always buzzing. To be honest, my experience is that the stronger the scent, the more bees come.
To be honest, the only way to deter bees is to plant leafy plants that don't have many flowers, as bees are naturally attracted to all and any flowering plants. Alternatively, mildy scented plants with BIIIIIG flowers. Bees will preference smaller blooms because they're easier to gather from. They also communicate with each other about where the easiest and best pollen sources are, so if you have one side of your garden with easy plants (think small flowers with big stamens or flowers full of nectar), they will naturally preference those flowers over a difficult side of the garden with big flowers with many petals and small stamens.
I find that they will go for single roses but don't particularly like double roses because they're too hard to eat.
To be honest, the only way to deter bees is to plant leafy plants that don't have many flowers, as bees are naturally attracted to all and any flowering plants. Alternatively, mildy scented plants with BIIIIIG flowers. Bees will preference smaller blooms because they're easier to gather from. They also communicate with each other about where the easiest and best pollen sources are, so if you have one side of your garden with easy plants (think small flowers with big stamens or flowers full of nectar), they will naturally preference those flowers over a difficult side of the garden with big flowers with many petals and small stamens.
I find that they will go for single roses but don't particularly like double roses because they're too hard to eat.
@NickNova sounds like a great plan!
@selphietrabia I was thinking of the herbs and stuff not being allowed to go to flower/seed so they remain strong scented. I should have been more specific. I agree that when they go to flower it's a totally different story! I tend to be lazy and let a lot of things bolt because I'd rather give to the pollinators then pinch back every other day ððŦĢ
@selphietrabia I was thinking of the herbs and stuff not being allowed to go to flower/seed so they remain strong scented. I should have been more specific. I agree that when they go to flower it's a totally different story! I tend to be lazy and let a lot of things bolt because I'd rather give to the pollinators then pinch back every other day ððŦĢ