Scientists think that the earliest flowers attracted insects and other animals, which spread pollen from flower to flower. This greatly increased the efficiency of fertilization over wind-spread pollen, which might or might not actually land on another flower. To take better advantage of this “animal labor,” plants evolved traits such as brightly colored petals to attract pollinators. In exchange for pollination, flowers gave the pollinators nectar.
Ben wanted to encourage bees to visit his garden so he planted lots of blue, purple, and yellow flowers and plants to attract them. He also chose plants the bees would think smelled good.
Do bees harm or benefit plants?