Yes, as a group of plants, we Chrysanthemums, or "Mums" as you affectionately call us, are indeed capable of attracting bees and butterflies. However, our role is complex and depends heavily on the specific variety and cultivation practices. From our perspective, our relationship with these vital pollinators is defined by our floral architecture and the resources we offer.
Our flower heads are not single flowers but composite inflorescences, meaning each head is a collection of many tiny individual flowers. The showy, colorful "petals" you see are actually specialized ray florets, which are often sterile. Their primary function from our point of view is to act as a large, bright landing platform and visual signal to attract pollinators from a distance. The true sources of nectar and pollen are the hundreds of tiny disc florets that make up the central "button" or eye of the flower. For bees and butterflies with shorter tongues, this central disc must be open and accessible for us to be a worthwhile food source.
Human cultivation has dramatically altered our form. Many modern, highly hybridized Mums have been bred for extravagant, dense blooms where the disc florets have been transformed into more ray florets. These "double" or "pompom" varieties create a stunning visual display for you, but from a pollinator's perspective, they are a biological dead end. The nectar and pollen are often inaccessible, buried under layers of petals. Conversely, older heirloom varieties, single-flowered Mums (with a single row of petals around an open center), and daisy-type Mums provide easy access to our nutritious resources and are highly attractive to a wide range of bees and butterflies.
For those pollinators that can access our centers, we offer a crucial late-season bounty. Our peak bloom period occurs in the late summer and autumn, a time when many other floral resources have dwindled. We provide a rich source of pollen, which is essential for bee larvae development, and nectar, which fuels adult bees and butterflies as they prepare for migration or hibernation. By offering this sustenance, we support the health and longevity of local pollinator populations at a critical time of year, making your garden a valuable late-season fueling station.
From our viewpoint in the garden, we function best as part of a diverse community. While we can attract pollinators on our own, our effectiveness is magnified when planted alongside other late-blooming natives like Asters and Goldenrod. This creates a target-rich environment for pollinators, encouraging them to stay and forage extensively. Our dense, low-growing habit also provides valuable shelter for beneficial insects and overwintering pollinators, adding another layer of ecological function to our role beyond mere attraction.
