Goodbye to geraniums: These 5 balcony plants save bees and enchant every balcony
Geraniums look beautiful, but they don’t help bees. These five flowering alternatives are bee-friendly and will transform any balcony into a sea of flowers.
Geraniums are one of the most popular balcony plants in Germany. Their bright colors and easy-care nature make them a perennial favorite in balcony boxes and pots. But as beautiful as they may be, they are of little use to nature. In fact, geraniums provide little nectar or pollen and are therefore of virtually no value to bees, bumblebees and other pollinators. They are purely ornamental plants with no ecological added value.
It is not difficult at all to transform the balcony into a blooming paradise for people and insects. There are numerous alternatives that are at least as attractive as geraniums and at the same time make a valuable contribution to species protection. The following five plants combine beauty with benefits and magically attract bees, bumblebees and butterflies.
#1 Vanilla flower: Fragrant pleasure for humans and insects
The vanilla flower doesn’t have its name for nothing. Their wonderful vanilla scent not only enchants the human nose, but also attracts numerous pollinators. It presents its delicate, mostly purple flowers between May and autumn, often even until the first frost if cared for well. Bees and butterflies are magically attracted to the rich nectar and scents on offer and find plenty of food here.
The plant originally comes from Peru and is perennial, but does not tolerate frost. If you want to experience their splendor every year, you should bring them into the house before winter and let them overwinter at around ten to fifteen degrees. A bright location is important so that the plant can grow vigorously again in spring. The vanilla flower loves sunny to semi-shady places and needs regular water, but cannot tolerate waterlogging.
#2 Purslane frogs: Colorful sunshine for the balcony box
These mostly annual summer flowers transform every balcony box into a veritable sea of color. With their tendril flowers in bright yellow, orange, pink and red, they create a southern flair. The flowering period extends from early summer to late summer, provided there is sufficient warmth. Purslane flowers love the sun and often only open their flowers when the weather is nice, which is why they are called summer flowers.
The flowers are a real feast for bees and other nectar collectors. Thanks to the nutrient-rich and easily accessible flowers, pollinators find plenty of food here. The frugal nature of this plant is particularly practical. Purslane frogs tolerate drought surprisingly well and sometimes forget to water. They are succulents and store water in their fleshy leaves and stems. A permeable substrate is important so that waterlogging does not occur.
#3 Fan flower: Lush flowers with benefits
The fan flower impresses with its lush, overhanging growth and is ideal for hanging baskets and balcony boxes. Its fan-like flowers in purple, white and blue appear in lavish abundance between May and October. The botanical name Scaevola refers to the characteristic shape of the flowers, which only have petals on one side and are actually reminiscent of small fans.
The fan flower becomes a real nectar donor for bees, bumblebees and butterflies. Similar to other balcony plants Proper care also plays an important role here. The plant prefers sunny to partially shaded locations and needs regular water and some liquid fertilizer every two weeks. It is not necessary to remove any dead flowers as the fan flower is self-cleaning. However, if you want even more flowers, you can occasionally use scissors and shorten individual shoots.
#4 Lantana: a special kind of color play
The lantana absolutely deserves its name. Its small flowers change color over time from yellow to orange to violet, so that different shades of color can be admired on one plant at the same time. This special effect is created by the aging of the individual flowers and creates a fascinating color spectacle. The flowering period begins in May and lasts until the first frost, which makes this bushy summer perennial a real permanent bloomer.
Lantana is a real pasture for butterflies. The many small, nectar-rich flowers provide plenty of food and particularly attract butterflies, but also bees. However, there is an important note: Lantana is a poisonous plant. Gloves should be worn when cutting as the plant sap can cause skin irritation. Caution should be exercised, especially with children and pets, as all parts of the plant are poisonous.
#5 True to men: Small flowers with a big impact
This low and densely growing balcony flower is very popular with bee experts. Maleficent produces tubular flowers in blue, purple, pink and white that are small but appear in large numbers. The flowering period extends from May to autumn, depending on the variety and care. The botanical name Lobelia commemorates the Flemish botanist Matthias de L’Obel, who lived in the 16th century.
The flowers may not be large, but they provide excellent food for pollinators. Mannertreu is wonderfully suitable for the balcony, especially in combination with other bee-friendly plants. The plant loves sunny to partially shaded locations and should be kept evenly moist. Hanging varieties that grow out of balcony boxes and hanging baskets and form true flower cascades are particularly attractive. Regularly cleaning out dead shoots promotes re-blooming and keeps the plant vital until frost.
