If you are familiar with lilac bushes, you know how attractive they are. These plants are perfect for hedges and borders. Plus, they are relatively easy to grow and versatile: once established, they don’t need much attention from your side. Their colorful blooms increase the aesthetic appeal of any garden, especially under optimal growing conditions.
Plant your shrubs under full sun and in well-drained soil (make sure the pH level is slightly alkaline for even better results), and you won’t have to worry about anything else.
There are more than 800 varieties of lilacs, which makes it hard to generalize, but usually, these plants are fuss-free and hardy. If you live in mild-climate areas, you should, without a doubt, consider adding lilacs to your garden.
But do lilac bushes attract bees? Keep reading the essential guide we put together for you to find out. While many people underestimate the bee’s role in the pollination process, the reality is that these insects can make a considerable difference in the looks of your garden.
If you have plants that attract them, you may get better flower production and more consistent blooming. But is lilac bushes a good option for your garden? Here, you’ll find everything you need to know to make up your mind.
Do Lilac Bushes Attract Bees?
While it is commonly known that lilac bushes aren’t attractive to deer, what about bees? To give you a short answer to the question, yes, most lilac bushes produce nectar and pollen, which bees eat. Thus, most varieties of lilac attract plenty of pollinators, including bees.
Honeybees are the most common species of these insects, but your plants might also attract the leafcutter (also known as specialized bees). Don’t forget that you might have different results depending on your hardiness zone and the species of plant you decide to add to your garden.
Leafcutters not only collect nectar and help distribute pollen around plants, but they also remove small pieces of your plants’ leaves to create their nests. These bees usually remain solitary and won’t significantly damage your plant. Instead, they ensure more variety in your garden.
So, in general, you can expect lilacs to attract bees. Indeed, these plants’ reproductive success considerably depends on the bee population around the area. But how does the process work? Read the following sections to find out.
But first, let’s highlight that lilacs attract bees because of their long-lasting blossoms. Plus, lilacs’ bright colors make bees focus on these shrubs over others. Indeed, these plants produce brilliant purple, pink, blue, or magenta blooms.
Since their flowers grow in clusters, bees use their visual skills and land to your lilac bushes. Indeed, by feeding on lilacs, these insects can take more nectar nourishment by staying on one plant. In essence, lilacs’ growing patterns and bright flowers keep the bees busy around these shrubs and ensure successful pollination.
Bee Pollination
Nectar is the principal food source for bees. These insects move from flower to flower to collect it for sustenance. But pollen is vital for their larvae. Even if it’s not their objective, as bees fly from one blossom to the next, they brush the pollen stamens with their bodies.
By doing so, they contribute to fertilizing one flower with the pollen coming from a closeby lilac. Because bees often visit more than one blossom, the chances for fertilization and seed formation across your lilac shrubs are numerous.
You can increase the chances of pollination by planting your lilacs under sunny conditions. Lilacs will grow better with plenty of sunlight during the day, and bees prefer collecting nectar under the sun.
Additionally, keep your plants spaced and separated from other plants. Don’t forget that by growing more lilacs together, you increase the attractivity in the bees’ eyes, which will ensure successful pollination.
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Do Lilac Bushes Attract Bees?: The Bottom Line
If you came here to find out if lilacs bushes attract bees, you should have learned that these plants are one of the best plants you should add to your garden to enjoy plenty of visits from these helpful insects.
Of course, pollination from bees will ensure your plants stay healthy and reproduce. However, don’t forget to take care of your plants. Even if relatively easy to grow, you’ll still have to meet your lilacs’ requirements for having them thrive in your garden. If you are looking for something to plant that attracts bees, honeysuckle attracts bees too.