Bee Safe!

Your health matters! Take bee allergies seriously!

Here’s a client question:
"[An] issue is one of my son’s is possibly allergic to bees so I’m hesitant to purposely attract them- butterflies, hummingbirds yes, but if that automatically means bees as well then I want to make sure we are not going to have a great influx coming in- we have bees at the garden now in the summer (not so much butterflies)- a tolerable amount but I don’t want the area to be swarming with bees always as we play outside in that area everyday and walk by along the top daily while coming in. I love the flowers in the photos but want to still have a safe environment.  My husband suggested spraying for bees specifically but I imagine that would also deter butterflies, birds as well?"

Here’s my response:
Yes that would affect all the insects.
I never make guarantees about what will or won't appear in the gardens. I do like to plant to attract wildlife AND I understand how concerning it would be if your son has an allergic reaction to a bee sting. I could put in a very plain landscape of shrubs and grasses but I remember how strong your desire was to see beautiful flowers. I can see where your motherly concern is absolutely valid. I've been looking into gardens that are beautiful and attract less bees and have good news based on what I found in the articles below.

---> Please read through the source snips/sources if you like when you get the chance. I'm all for healthy families! Let me know what you want to do next after you review the information.

Good news!
COLOR: Most of the flowers in the design are red, yellow and orange. The only purple in the design is the existing catmint that your husband previously installed. There's the lilac bushes too, which also have strong scents.
FLOWER SHAPE: Red hot poker flowers are tubular as well as the lobelia.

SCENT: None of the flowers in the design have strong scents that would attract bees. I can add red geraniums, marigolds and basils [NOT MINT] along the driveway edge if you like so bees are less likely near where the daily activity takes place.

Below are the vision photos I sent for review - top of hill and the the side of the hill

Article Snippets and Sources

"Bees favor flowers based on color, accessibility, and scent
Bees can't see the color red...
we can use red tubular flowers in gardens to attract hummingbirds without creating a huge attraction for bees. Narrow tubular flowers that bees cannot crawl into to reach the nectar are the best choices...Despite not being able to see red, bees can see a wide variety of the rest of the spectrum. They are most drawn to the colors purple, violet,and blue. Avoiding those colors...is key to creating a garden that bees won’t want to hang around in...
The last quality that draws bees to gardens, scent, means that long-blooming scented flowers such as roses, petunias, jasmine, lilies, peonies, and more are not wise choices for those with bee allergies."
Gardening for Bee Allergies — HELIOSlandscapedesign
"Geraniums are not very attractive to bees. They have a strong scent that is off-putting to many insects.
...bees see red as black.  This dark color is not inviting to a foraging worker.
[Marigolds] can discourage some stinging insects from hanging around due to their pungent odor. Marigolds have very little pleasing fragrance and little pollen. "
https://carolinahoneybees.com/plants-that-repel-bees/
"Bees can see most colors from orange to ultraviolet (which humans cannot see), but they cannot see infrared or red. This knowledge is especial for this post, though red is not an easy to find color even in plants...
Hummingbird Mint (Agastache) – there are several red flowing species that only attract hummingbirds
Red Hot Poker – this heat loving perennial is a short bloomer, but the flower shape and red color deter bees
Marigolds – another double flower plant that is difficult for bees to penetrate
Red Hot Poker is less attractive for its red, tubular flowers
Basil – this aromatic herb is great for pasta night, as well as repelling bees
Geranium – several scented cultivars repel not only bees, but mosquitoes and wasps as well
Marigolds – bees not only do not pollinate these annuals, but are also repelled by them
Artemesia – wormwood or other members of this genus are very aromatic, and have both scented leaves and flowers that repel insects"
Plants that do not Attract Bees - Grimm's Gardens

"Bees also choose yellow, purple or blue flowers over red ones, probably because bee eyes don’t perceive red shades very well.
...concentrate on those that aren’t nectar-rich. ... and zinnias are good choices...
...bees avoid chrysanthemums, geraniums, marigolds, artemisias and feverfew.
Hummingbird pleasers like fuchsias, trumpet vine, and columbines seem to baffle bees as well"
https://www.loghouseplants.com/blogs/greengardening/2014/10/how-to-bee-free-in-your-garden/
"Of nectar plants, he uses those whose flower form evolved for pollination by creatures other than bees. His list includes flowering tobacco, trumpet vine, yuccas, bananas, palms and hardy, ground-hugging woodland gingers that are pollinated by slugs.
He also uses hostas, grown primarily for their foliage, and makes a point of cutting off their emerging flower stalks. You could apply the same principle to other foliage plants, such as heucheras, brunneras, coleus, cannas and liriope."
https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/06/23/afraid-of-bee-stings-plant-these-flowers/
"Opt For Red Blooms
Bees can’t see the color red. It appears black to them, so they tend to buzz right over red blooms. Poppies, canna lillies, zinnias, celosias and peonies are good options for red-hued flowers.
Ranunculuses are a good choice, as are dahlias.
Avoid planting bee-favorites like sunflowers, violets, lavender, foxglove and crocuses."
Allergic To Or Terrified Of Bees? Here Are Plants That Will Keep Them Away From Your Yard