Which Dahlias Are Best For Bees – Unlock A Buzzing Garden With These

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever planted a stunning, dinner-plate dahlia, a flower with a thousand perfect petals, only to watch the bees fly right past it? It’s a common frustration for gardeners who want a garden that’s not just beautiful, but also a buzzing, vibrant ecosystem. You’re not alone in wondering why your prize-winning blooms get the cold shoulder from our most important pollinators.

The good news is, you don’t have to choose between gorgeous dahlias and a happy bee population. The secret is simply knowing which dahlias to plant. I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll understand exactly which dahlias are best for bees and how to turn your garden into their favorite neighborhood cafe.

We’ll walk through why some dahlias are a pollinator paradise while others are a food desert. I’ll share my absolute favorite bee-friendly varieties, give you a complete care guide for creating a sustainable dahlia patch, and offer simple tips to create a garden that truly hums with life. Let’s get started!

Why Some Dahlias Are a Dead End for Bees (And How to Spot Them)

It might seem strange that a flower so vibrant could be unappealing to bees, but it all comes down to one thing: access. Over centuries of cultivation, we’ve bred dahlias to have incredible forms, but some of those forms have accidentally locked away the flower’s pollen and nectar.

Think of those huge, fluffy ‘Decorative’ or ‘Ball’ dahlias. Their beauty lies in their dense, overlapping petals. Unfortunately, this intricate structure creates an impenetrable barrier for a bee trying to reach the center of the flower, where the food source—the pollen and nectar—is located.

The bees can see the bright colors, but they can’t access the reward. It’s like a beautiful restaurant with a locked door. They’ll quickly learn to spend their precious energy elsewhere.

The Key to a Bee-Friendly Dahlia: The Open Center

So, what should you look for? The magic word is “open-centered.”

An open-centered dahlia has a clearly visible, accessible central disc. This disc is made up of hundreds of tiny, individual florets, each one packed with the pollen and nectar that bees and other pollinators need to survive. It’s a giant, all-you-can-eat buffet for them!

When you’re shopping for tubers or plants, simply look for flowers where you can see that golden, button-like center. If you can see it, so can the bees.

So, Which Dahlias Are Best for Bees? Your Pollinator-Friendly Guide

Now for the fun part! Let’s dive into the specific types of dahlias that will have pollinators flocking to your garden. This complete which dahlias are best for bees guide will help you identify the best classifications to look for. Don’t worry—these flowers are perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike!

Single-Flowered Dahlias

These are the champions of the bee-friendly world. As the name suggests, they have a single ring of petals surrounding a wide-open, pollen-rich center. They are the epitome of simple elegance and are incredibly productive bloomers. They look a bit like a daisy, and bees absolutely adore them.

Anemone-Flowered Dahlias

These are a personal favorite for their unique look! Anemone dahlias have one or more outer rings of flat petals, but their center is a dense cluster of elongated, pincushion-like tubular florets. This central “cushion” is a treasure trove of nectar and pollen that bees can easily work their way through.

Collarette Dahlias

Collarettes are delightfully quirky and a bee magnet. They feature a single row of large outer petals and a “collar” of smaller, often contrasting petals surrounding the open central disc. This structure provides a perfect landing pad for pollinators, guiding them right to the goods.

Mignon Dahlias

If you’re looking for a compact, powerhouse bloomer for borders or containers, Mignon dahlias are your answer. They are a type of single-flowered dahlia, but they are known for their particularly petite size and prolific flowering. Their simple, open faces are an irresistible invitation to foraging insects.

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Peony-Flowered Dahlias

While the name might make you think of dense petals, Peony-flowered dahlias are wonderfully bee-friendly. They have two or more rings of petals around a very open, golden center. They offer a slightly fuller look than a single dahlia but keep that all-important accessibility for pollinators.

Our Top 10 Bee-Magnet Dahlia Varieties to Plant This Year

Ready to get planting? Here are ten of my tried-and-true favorite dahlia varieties that are not only gorgeous but are guaranteed to be buzzing with activity all season long. These are some of the best which dahlias are best for bees tips I can offer—plant any of these and you won’t be disappointed!

  1. ‘Bishop of Llandaff’: A classic for a reason! This peony-flowered dahlia boasts stunning scarlet-red blooms against dramatic, dark bronze-purple foliage. It’s a showstopper and a pollinator favorite.
  2. ‘Happy Single Kiss’: A beautiful single-flowered variety with salmon-pink petals that fade to a sunny yellow center. Its open face is the perfect welcome mat for bees.
  3. ‘Twynings After Eight’: Incredibly elegant. This collarette dahlia has crisp white outer petals, a smaller white inner collar, and deep, dark foliage for a stunning contrast.
  4. ‘Waltzing Mathilda’: A charming single dahlia whose colors shift from coral and peach to raspberry pink, all with a dark central eye. It’s a painter’s palette in a single flower.
  5. ‘Totally Tangerine’: An anemone-flowered wonder. It has soft orange outer petals and a fluffy, darker orange center that bees can’t resist tumbling into.
  6. ‘HS Date’: Part of the “Happy Single” series, this Mignon dahlia features lovely apricot-colored petals with a warm, dark center. Perfect for pots and the front of a border.
  7. ‘Kelsey Annie Joy’: A delightful ball dahlia that breaks the rules! While most ball dahlias are too tight, this one often opens its center as it matures, inviting pollinators in for a late-season snack. Keep an eye out for it.
  8. ‘Night Butterfly’: A collarette dahlia with deep crimson petals and a white inner collar flecked with red. The dark foliage makes the blooms pop, attracting both gardeners and bees.
  9. ‘Pooh’: You can’t help but smile at this one. A collarette dahlia with bright orange-red outer petals tipped in yellow, and a fluffy yellow inner collar. It’s as cheerful as its namesake.
  10. ‘Mexican Star’: Technically a species dahlia (Dahlia tenuiscaulis), this one has delicate, chocolate-scented, star-shaped magenta flowers. It’s a unique and fantastic choice for a wilder, more natural garden look.

Creating a Thriving Bee Haven: A Sustainable Dahlia Care Guide

Planting the right varieties is step one. Step two is caring for them in a way that maximizes their health and appeal to pollinators. Following this which dahlias are best for bees care guide will ensure your garden is a healthy, eco-friendly haven.

Planting for Success

Dahlias are sun-lovers. Choose a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They thrive in rich, well-draining soil. Before planting, amend your soil with a generous amount of compost to provide a nutrient boost that will fuel blooms all season long. This is a key principle of sustainable gardening.

Watering Wisely

Dahlias are thirsty plants, especially once they start growing vigorously. Water them deeply 2-3 times a week, more if you’re in a very hot, dry climate. Avoid shallow, frequent watering, which encourages a weak root system. A soaker hose or drip irrigation is a great water-wise option.

To Pinch or Not to Pinch?

When your dahlia plant is about a foot tall and has 3-4 sets of leaves, “pinch” out the central growing tip. It feels scary, but I promise it’s one of the best things you can do! This encourages the plant to branch out, resulting in a bushier plant with far more flowers—and more food for the bees.

The Magic of Deadheading

This is one of the most important which dahlias are best for bees best practices. As soon as a flower starts to fade, snip it off. This process, called deadheading, prevents the plant from putting energy into making seeds and instead tells it to produce more flowers. More flowers mean a longer-lasting buffet for your pollinators.

Forget the Harsh Chemicals

To create a truly eco-friendly which dahlias are best for bees garden, you must avoid pesticides. Insecticides, even organic ones, can be harmful to bees and other beneficial insects. Embrace a little imperfection! A few nibbled leaves are a sign of a healthy, functioning ecosystem. If you have a pest problem, try gentle solutions like a strong spray of water to dislodge aphids or hand-picking larger pests.

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Common Problems with Which Dahlias Are Best for Bees (And Easy Fixes)

Even with the best care, you might run into a few bumps along the road. Don’t worry! Here are some common problems with which dahlias are best for bees and how to handle them.

Problem: My Bees Aren’t Coming!

Solution: Patience is key, especially if it’s a new garden bed. But you can also help by planting other bee-friendly flowers nearby. Bees love variety! Plant lavender, salvia, borage, or cosmos alongside your dahlias to create an irresistible pollinator patch that draws them in.

Problem: Powdery Mildew on Leaves

Solution: Powdery mildew, a white dusty coating on leaves, is common in humid weather or when plants are crowded. Ensure good air circulation by giving your plants plenty of space. You can also treat it with a simple spray of one part milk to nine parts water. It sounds strange, but the proteins in the milk act as a natural fungicide.

Problem: Earwigs or Slugs are Damaging Blooms

Solution: These critters love dahlias. For earwigs, you can create simple traps with rolled-up newspaper or a small can filled with a bit of oil. For slugs, diatomaceous earth sprinkled around the base of the plant creates a barrier they won’t cross. Both are non-toxic solutions that protect your pollinators.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bee-Friendly Dahlias

Are dinnerplate dahlias ever good for bees?

Generally, no. The vast majority of ‘Dinnerplate’ and other very large, fully double decorative dahlias have too many petals for bees to access the center. While a bee might occasionally land on one, they are not a reliable food source. Stick to open-centered varieties to truly help them.

Do I need to plant many dahlias to attract bees?

Even a single bee-friendly dahlia plant will attract pollinators! However, bees are more likely to find and return to a larger grouping of flowers. Planting a cluster of 3-5 dahlia tubers is a fantastic way to create a bold visual statement and a reliable food patch for bees.

When is the best time to see bees on my dahlias?

You’ll see the most activity on warm, sunny days, typically from mid-morning to late afternoon. Dahlias are late-season bloomers, providing a crucial food source from mid-summer through the first frost, a time when many other flowers have finished blooming. This is one of the key benefits of which dahlias are best for bees—you’re feeding them when they need it most!

Can I grow bee-friendly dahlias in pots?

Absolutely! Many single-flowered and Mignon varieties are perfect for containers. Just make sure your pot is large enough (at least 5 gallons) and has excellent drainage. Container dahlias may need to be watered more frequently than those in the ground.

Your Garden, Their Sanctuary

Choosing to plant for pollinators is one of the most rewarding things we can do as gardeners. It transforms our outdoor spaces from merely beautiful to truly alive and purposeful.

By simply selecting dahlias with open, accessible centers, you’re rolling out the welcome mat for bees, butterflies, and a host of other beneficial insects. You’re providing a vital food source that supports the health of our entire ecosystem, right from your own backyard.

So go ahead, pick out a few single, collarette, or anemone-flowered dahlias. Watch as their simple, beautiful faces turn towards the sun, and listen for the happy hum of a garden that’s doing its part. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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