What flowers best deter bees yet attract hummingbirds?

Linda Moye
by Linda Moye

I know to stay away from yellow as bees like yellow. I hear birds like red. I’m new to planting so need something simple

  3 answers
  • Bees have trouble seeing the color red, so I would try a Red Cardinal Flower for starters.

  • MGMN MGMN on May 02, 2019

    The question I would have. Why do you want to deter bees? Bees are wonderful pollinators and besides, pollinators are on the decline. Instead of planting to deter them you should be planting to attract them. Plants that are Native to your area would be what you want and there are also many varieties of Native plants that attract hummingbirds also. Check with your local conservation district, extension office or chapter of Wild Ones and they could help you locate native plant growers.


    • Linda Moye Linda Moye on May 02, 2019

      I want to deter them because I want to attract hummingbirds. The bees scare the birds. I know the bees are very important to nature but not in the same vacinity as hummingbirds. I have several hummingbird feeders near my kitchen window. If I was a gardener I would plant flowers in a different area for the bees but at age 76 I don’t have the energy to take up gardening. Keeping the bird feeders clean is a big enough job