Open and semi-double rose blossoms are rich in pollen. As such, they are an excellent habitat for bees.

Biodiversity

Roses not only offer high ornamental value, they also contribute to better biodiversity in public spaces. On summer days, you will often notice quite a buzz around rose plantings. And roses have another function after flowering: many roses produce hips that are excellent food for various types of birds.

Source of food

Unique to garden roses is their long flowering time: from May until at least the first frost. With their scent, roses invite insects across great distances. Semi-double roses and roses with open hearts contain the most pollen. What’s more, it is also easy to reach for insects. Honeybees and wild bees alike use them as a food source throughout the flowering season. They transform the pollen, which contains proteins and vitamins, into bee bread to feed their larvae.

Pollen

All wild rose blossoms are single or open. Semi-double roses were created by natural mutations and crosses by humans. Very full rose flowers can have 70 or more petals. In double flowers, stamens are transformed into petals; they are less accessible to bees and contain less pollen. Nevertheless, bees manage to get pollen from some types of double roses as well.

For years on end

Whether in a park or along a road, a rose in the right place will flower profusely and serve as a bee habitat for years on end. They do require a spot with at least 4 hours of sunshine, however. The more sun, the more abundant the flowering. Most roses are drought tolerant; watering during prolonged periods of drought is rarely necessary, with the exception of young plantings. Any type of soil is suitable, provided it is well-drained, healthy and sufficiently rich in nutrients.