Why blooming begonias are bad for bees
FLOWER beds of blooming begonias and colourful pansies are a spectacular sight.
But gardeners should stop growing them – because they are bad for bees, an expert warns.
many popular plants have been bred to look beautiful, but no longer contain enough nectar to feed insects, according to biologist Professor dave Goulson.
His warning comes as bees are in decline across Britain, with two species having become extinct in the past century.
While pesticides are often blamed, Professor Goulson, of the University of Sussex, said our choice of flowers for our gardens is part of the problem.
He told the British Science Festival in Brighton some ornamental flowers, including begonias, hybrid tea roses and carnations, have been bred for ‘ big blooms, extra petals and colours’ at the expense of nectar and pollen supplies, adding: ‘Intensive selection has made these flowers useless to insects and they are a bit of a travesty for wildlife.’
Begonias contain ‘almost zero nectar’, he said. Plants with a single row of petals, like geraniums, are better for bees as they have more nectar. the professor added: ‘You can really notice it in the garden, that some plants like lavender are buzzing with insects. But if you choose a different plant, no insects attracted to it.’
Bees prefer flowers where nectar is hidden in a tube, which they suck out with a straw-like tongue. But plants such as pansies have been selectively bred to lengthen their nectar tubes, meaning bees can no longer reach inside.
He added: ‘People do not have to buy ugly flowers to attract bees, because there are lots of beautiful varieties attractive to both humans and insects.’
He also urged gardeners to get rid of bedding plants bought from garden centres and ‘drenched in pesticides’. Studies have found they contain chemicals thought to damage bees’ ability to forage and navigate.