Yes, delphiniums are exceptional plants for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden. From a botanical perspective, they have evolved specific traits that make them highly attractive and accessible to these vital pollinators. Their floral structure, color, nectar, and pollen resources are precisely designed to facilitate a mutually beneficial relationship.
The physical structure of the delphinium flower is a key factor in its appeal. Each flower consists of five petal-like sepals, with the upper sepal forming a prominent backward-pointing spur. This spur acts as a nectar reservoir. The flowers are densely arranged on a tall, upright raceme, creating a "landing platform" effect for larger insects like bumblebees and butterflies. This vertical presentation is highly efficient, allowing a pollinator to visit multiple flowers with minimal movement, thus conserving energy while ensuring thorough pollination for the plant.
Delphiniums produce abundant nectar, a sugar-rich liquid that serves as a high-energy food source for pollinators. The nectar is stored deep within the floral spur, a feature that specifically attracts long-tongued pollinators. Bumblebees, in particular, are adept at accessing this reward. Their long tongues allow them to reach the nectar, and in the process, their heads and thoraxes make consistent contact with the flower's reproductive parts. This precise fit ensures that pollen is effectively transferred from the anthers to the bee, and subsequently to the next flower it visits.
In addition to nectar, delphiniums offer pollen, which is an essential source of proteins, fats, and other nutrients for bees, especially for feeding their larvae. The plant's numerous stamens are positioned to dust the backs of foraging bees generously. While butterflies, being nectar-feeders, do not collect pollen, the bees' activity in gathering it is crucial for the plant's reproductive cycle. The transfer of pollen from one delphinium to another is necessary for cross-pollination, which maintains genetic diversity within the plant population.
Delphiniums employ a powerful visual advertisement to guide pollinators. Their typically blue and purple hues are highly visible to bees, which see these colors more vividly than red. Many delphinium species also have a central bee, or a contrasting white or black patch, which acts as a nectar guide, directly pointing insects toward the reward. Furthermore, these markings are often visible in the ultraviolet spectrum, creating patterns that are like landing lights on a runway, directing the pollinator to the precise location of the nectar and pollen within the flower's structure.
The delphinium's flowering period, typically in early to mid-summer, is strategically timed to coincide with peak activity for many bee and butterfly species. During this time, these insects are actively foraging to support their colonies or migratory journeys. By providing a reliable and abundant source of both nectar and pollen during this critical period, delphiniums establish themselves as a valuable resource station within the garden ecosystem, ensuring frequent visitation and successful pollination.
