Invasive Plants to Avoid in the Bee Garden
Blooming plants have a beautiful relationship with honey bees and other insects. The bees provide pollination that helps produce seed. The plants lure insects in with the promise of food. But, not every flowering plant is suitable for a bee garden. When a new type of plant is introduced into an area (where it does not normally grow) it may take over. This invasive plant may harm the existing ecosystem. It is possible that invasive plants are bad for bees and other pollinators in the long run.
How Invasive Plants Threaten Bees
An invasive species (be it plant or animal etc.) adapts very easily to a new area. It is not native to the region in question. But, capable of rapid reproduction, it causes harm to native plants and animals.
Therefore, it seems easy to say that invasive plants are always bad? The problem is that some of these plants are not only attractive to bees but major food sources. In fact these “bee plants” become desirable (at least to beekeepers).
Beekeepers may harvest large honey crops from some of these species. In some cases, their business model depends on the nectar source.
Damage to Natural Ecosystem
We all know that pollinators are suffering from habitat loss. So what if some plants are a little aggressive, if they are feeding bees what is the problem? As usual, the answer is not a simple one.
In certain situations, invasive plants actually create bad living conditions for bees. In large numbers, they can:
- create monocultures
- smother out native plants that may bloom longer
How can a plant that provides pounds of nectar be a bad thing for a honey bee colony? When introduced into a new area, invasives often out-compete native plants.
They crowd out other types of growth and use the soil resources, water and even sunlight. This creates monocultures. A large area of one nectar source blooming all at one time is not the best food source. Bad nutrition is the result of bees eating only one food profile.
Nectar and pollen from different sources have unique amino acids and nutritional substances. Eating only 1 type of food is not good for us or bees.
Also, if the invasive plant is more attractive to pollinators, native plants may suffer. Honey bee pollination is important to some plants. No bee visits means they may not be pollinated well.
As they fail to produce seed, native plants with a longer bloom period may disappear from the local landscape. This creates an environment that provides large honey harvests but unhealthy bee colonies.
Native insects also suffer – Bumble bees etc. Is the short-term gain worth the long-term loss? The scope of the problem depends on who you ask.
Weeds and Bees
It has been often said that one man’s weed is another man’s bee plant. (That goes for us lady beekeepers too!).
In fact, many weeds are beneficial to bees and I often encourage beekeepers to let them grow for a few weeks. Trimming the lawn can wait a bit longer in most cases.
Dandelions, goldenrod flowers and even clover are beneficial when other food sources are lacking. Even though they are weeds, they are not necessarily aggressive growers.
And, even in the world of invasive plants, some are a bigger problem than others. The region in which you live plays a role in whether a particular plant is a nuisance or a serious big green problem.
List of Invasive Plants that Attract Bees
In no particular order, let’s look at some of the most notable problem plants. They are considered aggressive or invasive in many regions even though some are beneficial to bees. Check with your local agricultural resources to learn their status in your area.
Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) is a popular shrub that has many different varieties. It is also one of the worse invasive shrubs in the eastern US. Forming dense thickets, it displaces many native species.
Bees love privet in my area and produce a light colored honey. Some varieties of privet produce honey with a detectable scent and taste that not all honey consumers enjoy. Yet, the bees don’t seem to mind and enjoy the bountiful food source.
Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) is a fast growing tree native to Asia. It has become widespread through parts of the southeastern US. Chinese Tallow trees produce small flowers in Spring.
They are commonly called “popcorn trees”. This is due to the resulting seed pods that remain attached to the limbs into Winter. The tree is considered by many to be one of the most aggressive weeds in the US.
Attempts to eradicate Chinese Tallow in some South states has been met with considerable angst from beekeepers. Chinese Tallow provides valuable forage for honey bees and other pollinators.
Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is an herbaceous perennial. Similar in appearance to bamboo, it is actually a member of the grass family. In some regions, it is in bloom when no other plants are and provides needed food for bees.
The World Conservation Union includes Japanese Knotweed on its top 100 worst invasive plants. It can grow 5-8 feet tall and forms a dense bush with pretty cream-colored flowers.
Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is native to China, Japan and the Pacific Islands. This plant needs no introduction to those of us living in the Southern region of the US.
An aggressive grower that seems to actually run across the ground during the warm Summer months. It is responsible for killing many native trees and shrubs as it climbs and blocks the sunlight.
Did you know that Kudzu blooms? It does and honey bees will harvest the nectar-though the blooms are not highly attractive to my bees.
I have tasted Kudzu honey and it has a slight grape flavor and maybe a blue tint. But not as dark as the purple honey found in some regions.
Still seriously, who wants more kudzu in their area? I would think that no one who is familiar with this plant would knowingly bring it home.
Mimosa (Silk Tree) Albizia julibrissin: Native to China, the Mimosa tree is a beautiful ornamental tree. The fern-like foliage, showy flowers and sweet fragrance has made it a landscaping favorite.
However, it is a messy tree dropping flowers and seeds and is prone to broken branches. And, yes it is invasive. Having escaped cultivation, you can find Mimosa growing wild across the landscape.
In the wild, this tree develops dense foliage and shades out many bee friendly native shrubs and grasses. Mimosa blooms can benefit honey bees and other insect pollinators by providing nectar.
Mimosa honey is creamy and sweet with a distinct smell and aftertaste. But, this tree is not a major source of nectar in most regions. For most, the problems outweigh the benefits of growing this tree.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria): This plant is native to Europe and parts of Asia. It was brought to American for ornamental and medicinal uses in the 1800’s.
A wetland plant, it is an aggressive grower in most states and propagates by underground stems and seed. One plant can produce 2 million seeds in a season.
This beautiful plant with purple spikes of flowers is very attractive to bees. The nectar results in a dark honey that can be sold or left to feed the bees.
Some states are using imported European Beetles and other methods to attempt control of Purple Loosestrife.
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) is a shrub type plant that is native to China, Japan and Korea. It was originally used by the US horticultural industry as root stock for rose breeding programs.
It was also used by the USDA for erosion control and natural barriers (living fence) for livestock.
The mid-Summer flowers are visited by honey bees and other pollinators providing some food. Personally, I do not have any problem with this bee friendly flowering shrub.
However, left to its own devices I understand how the thorny limbs could create an issue. If you have Multiflora Rose in your area, try to keep it trimmed and under control.
Tamarisk Trees (Tamarix ramosissima ) Also called “Saltcedar” is referred to by some as the “Monster of the Southwest”. These trees are very invasive in areas of central Arizona. They suck up large amounts of water from the desert landscape.
They also spread rapidly and are hard to eradicate – taking up space where useful foraging grasses could grow.
The feathery pink flowers of the Tamarisk attract numerous bees, dragonflies and hummingbirds. They provide large amounts of forage at a times of nectar dearth or drought.
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Beautiful in your water garden but a big problem in the wild. This beautiful water plant is native to South America and was introduced into the United States as an ornamental.
It grows quickly and clogs waterways crowding out native plants. Here in SC, it has such a bad reputation – it is illegal to purchase.
Water bodies of the lower regions become covered with a thick mat during Summer. However, in northern areas of the state, Water Hyacinth dies out during the cold Winter. Bees are attracted to its purple bloom.
Choose Bee Plants with Care
We can all recognize the benefits and problems caused by some of these aggressive plants. And, not all beekeepers will be on board with efforts to completely eliminate plants that they feel are beneficial.
In some regions, the nectar from an invasive plant makes the difference between profit and loss for the year. I can understand the dilemma facing these beekeepers.
However, will the health of the bees and other pollinating insects suffer later? Remember, there are many who consider the honey bee to be an invasive species. They are not native to the US either.
No matter your opinion on what to do. It is the good environmental citizen that gives serious thought to plant choice – beekeeper or not. As you choose trees for bees or shrubs for the landscape, do you homework before planting.
Try to avoid seeds or transplants that will cause harm to your local ecosystem. A plant that is invasive in one area may not be in your climate.
Often, there are other choices – perhaps native plants to use instead. My goal is not to promote any one point of view.
Merely to say that as beekeepers and homeowners, when you are choosing plants – make the very best choices possible. We want a healthy environment for all.