Do Bees Like Dandelions? The Buzz About Dandelion Flowers
I think Dandelions are beautiful – I reckon, if you’d never seen one before and you came across a potted dandelion in a fancy flower shop, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a stunning pot plant!
Butterflies like Dandelions too!Dandelions, with their bright yellow petals and distinctive puffball seed heads, are a common sight in lawns and fields around the world. Many gardeners view them as pesky weeds, but bees most definitely have a different perspective. In this blog post, we’ll explore the relationship between bees and dandelions to answer the question: Do bees like dandelions?
The Importance of Bees
Before delving into the world of dandelions, it’s helpful to understand why bees matter. Bees are vital pollinators, responsible for fertilising many of the plants that make up our global food supply – indeed, it’s estimated (by WWF Movie slow mo bee on dandelion) that 1 in 3 mouthfuls of food we eat are pollinated by bees or other pollinators – without them, the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts would be severely compromised.
Dandelions: A Bee’s Delight
Are dandelions good for bees? Dandelions, often considered a nuisance in lawns and gardens, are actually a valuable source of food for bees. Bees are particularly attracted to dandelion flowers, and there are several reasons why these bright yellow blossoms are a bee’s delight:
Abundant Nectar: Dandelion flowers produce copious amounts of nectar. Bees are naturally drawn to nectar as it serves as their primary source of energy – their carbohydrate. The availability of nectar in dandelions makes them a valuable food source for bees. Dandelions are also a useful source of nectar for bees – nectar is their protein and is particularly useful to help feed growing ‘baby’ bees.
Bella also enjoys dandelion honey from our bees too!Long Blooming Season: Dandelions have a relatively long blooming season, typically from early spring to late Autumn (indeed I saw some last week in November!) This extended availability of dandelion flowers ensures that bees have access to food for an extended period.
Accessibility: Dandelion flowers are easily accessible to bees. Their open, flat structure allows bees to land on the petals and access the nectar and pollen with ease.
Early Spring Food: Dandelions are often one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, providing bees with much-needed sustenance after the winter months. They help kickstart the bee’s foraging season.
Beautiful dandelions in a wildflower meadowThe Mutual Relationship
Bees and dandelions have a mutually beneficial relationship. Bees benefit from the nutritious nectar and pollen provided by dandelions, while dandelions rely on bees for pollination. So Yes! to the questions – do bees like dandelions, and are dandelions good for bees! This symbiotic relationship ensures the survival and proliferation of both species.
Our products are all made by the beeswax the bees create from wildflower nectarConclusion
So, do bees like dandelions? Absolutely! Dandelion flowers are a welcome sight for bees, providing them with a readily available source of nectar and pollen. Maybe, next time you see a dandelion in your garden, or a roadside verge, instead of cursing it, you could thank it for being such an important flower for our bees…and by extension, the sustainability of our planet’s food supply.
If you’d like to create your own mini-meadow, why not check out our range of products – we include a free pack of wildflower seeds with all orders from our website over £12 – a lovely gift for a friend….or a treat just for you 🙂
