Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells, is a popular annual flowering plant that produces stunning blooms all summer long. With its prolific flowering and trailing habit, calibrachoa attracts a variety of beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden.
Does Calibrachoa Attract Bees?
Yes, calibrachoa definitely attracts bees. The nectar-rich flowers provide bees with a fantastic source of food. Bees are very important pollinators for many plants, so having calibrachoa in your garden helps support local bee populations.
Studies have shown that calibrachoa flowers are highly attractive to many different bee species, including honeybees, bumblebees, carpenter bees, and more. The blooms draw in bees with their bright colors, sweet scent, and ample nectar rewards.
Bees feast on the nectar from calibrachoa flowers and help pollinate the plants in return. This mutually beneficial relationship supports the growth of the calibrachoa as well as providing nutrition for the bees.
Does Calibrachoa Attract Hummingbirds?
In addition to bees, calibrachoa is highly attractive to hummingbirds. The tubular flowers provide an excellent source of nectar for these small, energetic birds.
Hummingbirds are specialized to feed on nectar-producing flowers. Their long, slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted to reach into the center of blooms. The bright colors of calibrachoa flowers help guide the hummingbirds to the nectar reward.
Including calibrachoa plants in your garden is a great way to provide food for hummingbirds and attract them for up-close viewing. The constant blooming of calibrachoa means a steady nectar supply for visiting hummingbirds throughout the season.
Does Calibrachoa Attract Butterflies?
Butterflies are also frequent visitors to calibrachoa blooms. Like bees and hummingbirds, butterflies drink the nectar from the flowers for nutrition. Butterflies like calibrachoa flowers with brighter blooms that are yellow, orange, red or pink in color.
In order to attract the most butterflies, plant groupings of calibrachoas with different colors. This creates an eye-catching display that draws in a variety of butterfly species. Since butterflies prefer clusters of flowers, massed plantings of calibrachoa will be more attractive than lone plants.
Providing plants that butterflies feed on, like calibrachoa, is an important way to support butterfly populations in your local ecosystem.
Does Calibrachoa Attract Beneficial Insects?
In addition to pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, calibrachoa can also attract other beneficial insects to your garden. These include ladybugs, lacewings and hoverflies.
Ladybugs and lacewings feed on common garden pests like aphids and mites. Providing these predators with nectar sources like calibrachoa helps them thrive. The nectar gives them energy and nutrition to continue hunting garden pests.
Hoverflies are also attracted to the nectar from calibrachoa flowers. Although they don’t actively hunt other insects, they do help with pollination. Any flowering plants that attract hoverflies are generally beneficial to have in the garden.
Does Calibrachoa Attract Unwanted Insects?
For the most part, calibrachoa does not seem to attract unwanted garden insects. Pest insects like Japanese beetles, cabbage worms, slugs and snails are not reported to be drawn to these plants.
One exception is thrips. These tiny, slender insects can sometimes infest the flowers of calibrachoa. Generally, this is only an issue in greenhouse or florist situations. Outdoors, natural predators usually keep thrip populations in check.
Aside from potential thrip issues, calibrachoa mainly attracts beneficial pollinators and predatory insects. This makes it a great addition to any garden looking to support diverse insects.
Tips for Attracting Pollinators to Calibrachoa
Here are some tips to help you use calibrachoa to attract more bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial insects to your garden:
- Plant in groups – Larger masses of flowers are more eye-catching and attractive.
- Include different colors – Provide blooms in various hues to appeal to more insect species.
- Choose single blooms – Double-petaled flowers make it harder for pollinators to access nectar.
- Provide partial sun – Calibrachoas thrive best in 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Deadhead spent blooms – This encourages more flowering throughout the season.
- Avoid pesticides – Insecticides make gardens less welcoming for pollinators.
Conclusion
With its prolific flowering habit and brightly colored blooms, it’s no surprise that calibrachoa attracts a wide array of beneficial insects. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators flock to these plants for their plentiful nectar. By including calibrachoa in your garden, you can support local populations of these important creatures while enhancing the landscape with vivid color.
