Do Bees Like Crepe Myrtle?

Jan 8, 2024

When I started gardening, I often wondered: “Do Bees Like Crepe Myrtle?”. Also, is it good for my garden? But when I experienced it in real, I realized bees made my garden more lively.

Bees really like crepe myrtle for their sweet nectar and pollen. The bright colors and different shapes of crepe myrtle flowers catch the bees’ attention and invite them in for a meal. Interestingly, bees like some types of these plants more than others, showing that these crepe myrtles are their favorites.

This article will help us to understand why bees love crepe myrtles and which ones they prefer, making it fun to learn how bees and flowers get along in our gardens.

What Attracts Bees to Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe myrtles are pretty plants with colorful flowers, like bright reds and soft whites. They look nice in gardens and are interesting because bees like them. Bees come to the garden for water and food. Necter is where bees get the most energy. Bees also look for pollen, which supplements their protein and fat.

Moreover, these flowers give bees plenty of nectar and pollen to eat. Plus, crepe myrtles offer a safe place to rest and even some water for bees. So, let’s explain from my experience why bees are attracted to these plants.

Nectar Buffet

Crepe myrtle flowers have a sweet liquid called nectar. Bees love this sugary drink for energy. Different types of crepe myrtles offer nectar in different ways. Some, like the ‘Natchez’ and ‘Black Diamond,’ give nectar that is easy for bees. Others need bees to dig deeper, which might affect what bees like.

Pollen Power

Bees do not just drink nectar; they also collect pollen. Crepe myrtles have pollen full of good stuff like protein and fats. Studies found that bees collecting from crepe myrtles carry more pollen than from other flowers. This shows how nutritious crepe myrtle pollen is for them.

Bright and Varied Colors

Bees naturally attract bright colors, especially shades of pink and darker hues like lavender and deep purple. Crepe myrtle varieties showcasing these colors tend to be highly appealing to bees.

Abundant Blooms and Flower Shapes

The abundance of blooms on crepe myrtles and the diverse shapes of their flowers create an inviting environment for bees. The variations in flower shapes encourage bees to visit multiple plants in the garden.

Bee’s Preference for Crepe Myrtle Varieties

Regarding crepe myrtles, bees display distinct preferences for certain varieties based on color and specific cultivars. Knowing these preferences can help gardeners attract or manage bee activity more effectively.

Color Preferences

Pink Shades: Honey bees are strongly inclined towards crepe myrtle flowers in shades of pink. These hues seem particularly appealing to honey bees due to their brightness and the specific wavelength that attracts them.
Darker Blooms – Lavender and Deep Purple: Bumble bees contrastingly prefer darker-colored blooms, such as those in lavender and deep purple varieties of crepe myrtles. These rich, deeper hues entice bumble bees.

Preferred Cultivars

Seminole: Bees highly favor certain crepe myrtle types among the various cultivars available. Seminole is known for its vibrant blooms and sturdy growth. Also, it attracts many honey and bumble bees alike.
Victor: Another popular crepe myrtle cultivar is Victor. Bees notably visit it due to its appealing flowers and abundant nectar. Bees often visit the blossoms of this cultivar for their essential resources.
Apalachee: The Bumble bee’s favorite cultivar is Apalachee. Their bright lavender blossoms stand out as the bumble bee’s prime choice. Also, its large shrub variety attracts honey bees to a garden setting.

Less Favored Varieties

Biloxi: The Biloxi variety draws comparatively fewer visits from bees. Its blooms may not be as appealing to bees as other varieties.
Red Rocket: Red Rocket is known for its deep red blooms, which do not seem to entice bees as much as other color variants of crepe myrtles.
Raspberry Sunday: Raspberry Sunday is one of the varieties of crepe myrtle. In garden settings, it is less frequented by bees despite its attractive colors.

When I learned about these preferences, it helped me make informed decisions about crepe myrtle. I know which crepe myrtle varieties to plant and which crepe myrtle attracts more bees or minimizes bee activity in my garden.

Impact on Bee Activity in Gardens

Research suggests bees display preferences for specific crepe myrtle cultivars. Varieties such as Seminole, Victor, and Apalachee are among the most favored by bees due to their richness in nectar and attractive colors.

Also, Honey bees favor crepe myrtle varieties with pink-colored blossoms, while bumble bees are more inclined toward darker blooms like those in lavender-colored varieties. This preference distinction influences the type of bees visiting gardens based on the crepe myrtle cultivars planted.

Managing Bee Activity in Gardens

People who like to help bees visit their gardens and assist in pollination can pick certain types of crepe myrtle plants that bees like. Choosing varieties such as Seminole, Victor, or Apalachee can make a place where bees want to come more often. As a result, it helps with pollination and makes the garden more diverse.

On the other hand, if someone wants fewer bees in their garden, they might choose crepe myrtle types that bees visit less, like Biloxi, Red Rocket, or Raspberry Sunday. These plants could lessen the number of bees in the garden while making it look beautiful with crepe myrtles.

The Role of Bees in Pollinating Crepe Myrtle

Crepe Myrtles are known for their vibrant blooms and garden versatility. They rely heavily on pollination for their reproduction. Bees play a vital role in this process among the primary pollinators. Moreover, Bees and crepe myrtles’ relationship shed light on these pollinators’ significance in sustaining the plants’ beauty and growth.

Attracted to Blooms: Bees are drawn to crepe myrtle flowers due to their abundant nectar and pollen. The colorful blooms and rich nectar serve as a beacon for these pollinators.
Pollen Collection and Transfer: As bees hunt for nectar, pollen grains adhere to their bodies. When they move from flower to flower, pollen is transferred without intention, facilitating cross-pollination.
Cross-pollination: Bees play an important role in cross-pollination by transferring pollen between different crepe myrtle plants. It promotes genetic diversity and enhances the overall health of the plant population.
Enhancing Fruit and Seed Production: Efficient pollination by bees increases fruit and seed production in crepe myrtles. It ensures the continuity of the plant species.
Optimizing Flowering Cycle: Through pollination activities, bees contribute to the continuous blooming cycle of crepe myrtles. It ensures a steady supply of flowers.

What Does Crepe Myrtle Attract?

Crepe myrtle plants have pretty flowers that pull in many different bugs. Bees love the sweet nectar and pollen in these flowers. Besides bees, other insects and animals also come to these blooms.

Hummingbirds: These tiny birds enjoy the sugary nectar from crepe myrtle flowers. When they drink nectar, they accidentally move pollen between flowers, helping plants make seeds.

Butterflies: Colorful butterflies are attracted to the bright flowers. They like to hang around these plants and get food from the pollen.

Wasps: Wasps come for the sweet nectar and the sticky stuff called honeydew that appears when aphids bug the plants.

Aphids: These small bugs might harm the plants, but they produce a sugary liquid called honeydew that some other bugs like to eat.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles like crepe myrtle flowers but can cause damage if too many exist.

Primrose Flea Beetles: Another bug that enjoys crepe myrtle flowers for food and hiding spots.

Ladybugs: These bugs come to eat aphids, which helps keep their population under control.

Assassin Bugs: They come to crepe myrtles to hunt other bugs, adding to the variety of insects.

All these different, helpful, and troublesome creatures are attracted to crepe myrtle flowers, making a busy and diverse community in your garden.

Creating Bee-Friendly Gardens with Crepe Myrtles

Bees make the garden pretty and help nature. Here is how you can make a garden that bees will love using crepe myrtles:

Understanding What Bees Like

Bees like gardens with sweet juice (nectar), flowers, and dust (pollen). Crepe myrtles have many colorful flowers that give bees both nectar and pollen. That is why bees like them.

Picking Good Crepe Myrtle Types

Some crepe myrtle kinds are good for bees. Seminole, Victor, and Apalachee are types that bees love because they have lots of flowers with yummy nectar. Apalachee, especially with its pretty purple flowers, is great for bringing in bumble bees.

Setting Up Your Garden

Put crepe myrtles near other flowers so bees always have food. Different flowers of different colors and sizes bring more bees to your garden.

Growing Other Plants with Crepe Myrtles

Planting other flowers near crepe myrtles is a smart idea. Flowers like lavender, salvia, coneflowers, bee balm, and aster are also good for bees. Adding plants native to your area is cool because local bees like them.

Helping Bees Stay Safe

Do not use things that can hurt bees, like strong chemicals. Instead, try to use natural ways to stop bugs from bothering plants. Mulching around crepe myrtles helps keep the soil wet and makes homes for some bees.

Giving Bees Water and Places to Stay

Bees need water, especially in hot weather. You can make a little water spot for them by putting rocks or marbles in a shallow dish. Also, making little homes for bees to stay safe and cozy is nice.

Looking After Your Garden

Taking care of crepe myrtles by trimming and removing old flowers helps them grow better and gives bees more food. Crepe myrtles need sunlight and soil that drains well to be healthy and attract bees.

Final verdict

Crepe myrtle plants are like colorful magnets for bugs and animals. Bees like them because of the sweet nectar and powdery pollen. Bees help these plants make more flowers by moving pollen around.

Different kinds of bees prefer different colors of crepe myrtle flowers. From my experience, I have shared why bees like crepe myrtle and how you can make your garden lively and vigorous. Hopefully, it will be helpful for your gardening. Keep learning to make your garden more vibrant and joyful.

FAQs

What do Crepe Myrtles attract?

Crape myrtles attract many insects like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Bees and butterflies come for the sweet nectar in the colorful blooms, helping plants make seeds. Hummingbirds like the nectar, too, and they help flowers mix their pollen. Wasps visit for nectar, while aphids that bug the plant leave a sugary liquid called honeydew. Good bugs such as ladybugs and assassin bugs also show up to manage pests, creating a busy bug world around these flowers.

What are the benefits of Crepe Myrtles?

Crape myrtles offer various benefits in gardens and landscapes. They provide vibrant and colorful blooms, adding aesthetic appeal. These plants are relatively low-maintenance, thriving in different soil types, and requiring moderate watering. Crape myrtles attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Their beauty, adaptability, and support for local wildlife are valuable additions to outdoor spaces.

Are Crepe Myrtle leaves edible?

No, crepe myrtle leaves are not typically considered edible. While some animals might nibble on them, consuming crepe myrtle leaves is not recommended for humans as they contain compounds that can cause digestive discomfort. It is essential to avoid eating any part of the crepe myrtle plant to prevent potential adverse effects on health.

Are Crepe Myrtles acid-loving?

No, crepe myrtles are not considered strictly acid-loving plants. They are adaptable to a wide range of soil pH levels, generally thriving in slightly acidic to neutral soils. While they can tolerate varying soil conditions, they prefer well-draining soil. Amending soil with organic matter can aid their growth, but they are only categorized as partially thriving in acidic soil environments.