List of Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
The nectar resource in a given area depends on the kinds of flowering plants present and their blooming periods. Which kinds grow in an area depends on soil texture, soil pH, soil drainage, daily maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation, extreme minimum winter temperature, and growing degree days. The plants listed below grow in USDA Hardiness zone 5. A good predictor for when a plant will bloom and produce nectar is a calculation of the growing degree days. Hopkins' Bioclimatic Law states that in North America east of the Rockies, a 130 m (400-foot) increase in elevation, a 4° change in latitude north (444.48 km), or a 10° change in longitude east (two thirds of a time zone) will cause a biological event to occur four days later in the spring or four days earlier in the fall.[1] In botany, the term phenology refers to the timing of flower emergence, sequence of bloom, fruiting, and leaf drop in autumn.
The classification in major or minor nectar source is very dependent on the agricultural use of the land. An agricultural crop such as canola or alfalfa may be a major or minor source depending on local plantings. Generally, the more diverse a forage area is, the better for a stationary apiary. Urban, suburban and areas not under cultivation provide more consistent warm-season nectar forage than areas that are heavily cultivated with only a few agricultural crops. The nectar sources from large cultivated fields of blooming apples, cherries, canola, melons, sunflowers, clover etc. benefit a bee keeper who is willing to travel with his hives throughout the season.
Honeydew sources are not included in this listing.
Trees and shrubs
Plant type | Nonscientific name | Scientific name | Begin Bloom Month | End Bloom Month | Monofloral honey | Availability | Source for honey bees / pounds of honey per acre |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T | Maple[2] | Acer | 1 | 5 | no | feral | major but temperature usually too cold |
T | Red Maple[2] | Acer rubrum | 1 | 5 | no | feral | major but temperature usually too cold for bees to fly |
T | Ohio Buckeye[3] | Aesculus glabra | 4 | 5 | no | feral | minor |
S | Shadbush | Amelanchier arborea | 4 | 5 | no | feral | minor, or major depending on location and weather. |
S, T | Devils-walkingstick | Aralia spinosa | 7 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
S | Red Chokeberry | Aronia arbutifolia, Photinia pyrifolia | 5 | 6 | no | feral | minor |
S | Black Chokeberry[4] | Aronia melanocarpa | 5 | 6 | no | feral | minor |
T | Catalpa, Indian Bean[3][4][5] | Catalpa speciosa | 6 | 7 | no | feral, ornamental | minor |
S | Common Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | 4 | 5 | no | feral | minor |
S | Buttonbush[3] | Cephalanthus occidentalis | 7 | 8 | Honey is light in color and mild in flavor. | feral | |
S | Hawthorn | Crataegus | 4 | 5 | no | feral | minor – 50–100 pounds/acre |
S | Honeysuckle[3] | Diervilla lonicera | 6 | 8 | minor | ||
T | Honey Locust | Gleditsia triacanthos | 5 | 6 | no | feral | minor |
S | American Holly | Ilex opaca | 4 | 6 | no | feral | minor, important in southeastern US |
T | Tulip-tree, Poplar | Liriodendron tulipifera | 5 | 6 | yes, see Monofloral honey | feral | major in southern Appalachians, select northern locations, and Piedmont |
T | Apple[4] | Malus domestica | 4 | 5 | No, the nectar is mostly used for spring brood raising and not stored for surplus. see Monofloral honey[5] | cultivated | minor |
T | Crab Apple | Malus sylvestris; Malus coronaria[3] | 3 | 6 | no | ornamental | minor |
T | Cherry[3][4] | Prunus cerasus | 4 | 5 | no | feral, cultivated | minor – 30 kg/ha |
T | Pear | Pyrus communis | 4 | 5 | no | cultivated | minor |
T | Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | 4 | 5 | no | feral, cultivated | minor, can be major under the correct conditions/location. |
T | Plum | Prunus | 4 | 5 | no | feral, cultivated | minor |
S | Common Buckthorn | Rhamnus cathartica | 5 | 6 | no | feral | minor |
T | Sumac[3] | Rhus glabra | 6 | 7 | mixed with other honeys | feral | major |
T | Black locust[4][5] | Robinia pseudoacacia | 5 | 6 | yes, see Monofloral honey | feral | major – 800–1200 pounds/; short bloom period of about 10 days |
S | Raspberry | Rubus | 5 | 6 | yes, see Monofloral honey | feral, cultivated | major in some areas |
S | Blackberry | Rubus spp. | 5 | 6 | yes, see Monofloral honey[3] | feral, cultivated | major in some areas[4] |
T | Willow | Salix | 2 | 4 | no | feral, ornamental | major but outside temperatures are usually too cold for bees to fly. 100–150 pounds honey per acre; 1,500 pounds pollen |
T | Pussy Willow | Salix discolor | 3 | 4 | no | feral, ornamental | major but temperature usually too cold for bees to fly |
T | Bee bee tree | Tetradium | 7 | 9 | ornamental | major | |
T | Basswood[4][5] | Tilia americana, Tilia cordata | 6 | 7 | yes, short flow up to 14 days; Honey white; aromatic[3] see Monofloral honey | feral, ornamental Produces a high volume of honey on a cycle of every five to eight years, with lower volume of nectar other years | major – 800–1,100 pounds honey |
T | American Elm | Ulmus americana | 2 | 4 | no | feral | minor |
S | Blueberry | Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pennsylvanicum | 5 | 6 | no. Honey amber and of good flavor. | cultivated | minor in most areas. Very low quality pollen. Strong colonies may store 50–90 pounds of surplus from it.[3] |
S | Black haw[4] | Viburnum prunifolium | 5 | 6 | |||
T | Redbud | Cercis | 4 | 4 | no | cultivated, ornamental | minor |
Flowers, Crops, Herbs and Grasses
Plant type | Common name | Latin name | Perennial/Annual | Begin Bloom Month | End Bloom Month | Monofloral honey | Availability | Nectar Production |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | Anise hyssop[4] | Agastache foeniculum | Perennial | 7 | 10 | no | feral | minor (1858-2787kg/ha)[6] |
F | Blue bugle, Bugleherb, Bugleweed, Carpetweed, Common bugle[4] | Ajuga reptans | Perennial | 5 | 6 | feral | minor | |
F | Chives[4] | Allium schoenoprasum | Perennial | 5 | 9 | no | cultivated | minor |
C, F | Garlic chives | Allium tuberosa | Perennial | 8 | 9 | no | cultivated | minor |
F | Leadwort | Amorpha fruticosa | Perennial | 6 | 7 | no | feral | minor |
F | Milkweed[5] | Asclepias spp. 55 species | Perennial | 7 | 8 | feral All species are great for honeybees. Nectar is so abundant that it is possible to shake the blossom and actually see the nectar fall. | major – 120–250 pounds honey, depending on soil and if good fertilization Asclepias syriaca has the highest honey yield. | |
F | Butterfly Weed[4] | Asclepias tuberosa | Perennial | 7 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
C | Asparagus | Asparagus officinalis | Perennial | 5 | 6 | no | cultivated | minor |
F | Milk Vetch | Astragalus spp. | Perennial | 5 | 6 | no | feral | minor |
F | Aster | Aster spp. | Perennial | 8 | 10 | usually mixed with goldenrod[3] | feral, ornamental | major[4] |
F | Borage[4] | Borago officinalis | Annual | 6 | 10 | no | feral, ornamental | minor, but can be major on cultivated area 200 pounds honey per acre; 60–160 pounds pollen |
C, F | Mustard | Brassica arvenisis | Annual | 4 | 5 | no? | cultivated | minor |
C | Oilseed Rape (Canola)[4] | Brassica napus L., Brassica rapa | Annual | 5 | 6 | yes, see Monofloral honey | cultivated | major |
F | Marigold | Calendula officinalis | Annual | 6 | 9 | no | ornamental | minor |
F | Canada thistle | Carduus arvensis | Perennial | light honey of good quality[3] | ||||
F | Thistle | Centaurea spp. | Annual | 7 | 9 | no | feral | minor |
F | Mountain Bluet | Centaurea Montana (Knapweed) | Short-lived Perennial | 5 | 5 | no?? | feral | major |
F | Creeping thistle | Cirsium arvense | Perennial | 7 | 9 | feral (invasive in North America) | ||
F | Sweet Autumn Clematis | Clematis terniflora | Perennial | 9 | 9 | ornamental | minor | |
F | Clethra Summersweet[4] | Clethra alnifolia | Perennial (Shrub) | 7 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
C, F | Cucumber | Annual | 6 | 9 | no; Honey is pale yellow or amber with strong flavor.[3] | cultivated | minor | |
C | Melon | Annual | 6 | 10 | no | cultivated | minor | |
C | Pumpkin | Cucurbita pepo | Annual | 6 | 10 | no | cultivated | minor |
C, F | Wild Carrot | Daucus carota | Biennial | 8 | 9 | no | feral | minor |
F | Leopard's bane | Doronicum cordatum | Perennial | 4 | 5 | no | feral | minor |
F | Candytuft[4] | Iberis sempervirens | Perennial | 5 | 5 | |||
F | Viper's Bugloss, Blue thistle, Blue weed[4] | Echium vulgare Echium vulgare is most widely known, though there are about 60 additional species. | Perennial | 6 | 8 | no | feral In California, spring blooming plant with repeat bloom. Fall bloom provides nectar for bees for overwintering. The most unusual feature of Echium vulgare is the protection of the nectar inside the flower from vaporization (when it's hot) or flushing away (when it rains). It is why almost for 2 months this plant is a stable source of nectar for bees. Additionally this plant produces nectar throughout the day unlike most plants which produce nectar for a short period of time. If the bees have a good access to Echium they can collect between 12–20 lbs of nectar a day. The concentration of sugars in the nectar vary 22.6–48.3% depending on the quality of the soil, and not on the amount of rain. The honey is light amber in color and very fragrant with a pleasant taste, and does not crystallize for 9–15 months.[7] | major – 300–1,000 pounds honey/acre depending on soil. 500–2000 lbs of dark blue pollen. |
F | Globe Thistle | Echinops ritro | Annual | 8 | 8 | feral | major | |
F | Fireweed | Epilobium angustifolium | Perennial | 6 | 9 | yes | feral | major |
F | Heather | Erica vulgaris, though many varieties | Perennial (shrub) | see Monofloral honey | 100–200 pounds honey | |||
F | Joe-Pye weed, Boneset, White Snakeroot[4] | Eutrochium spp. "Eupatorium spp. Eupatorium purpureum; Eupatorium perfoliatum; Eupatorium ageratoides | Perennial | 8 | 9 | no | feral | minor |
C, F | Buckwheat[4] | Fagopyrum esculentum | Perennial | 7 | 8 | can be; dark honey with distinct flavor; granulates quickly | rarely cultivated now | minor |
F | Blue vine | Gonolobus laevis | Perennial | no. Honey is clear, heavy bodied of excellent flavor.[3] | feral | minor; Strong hives can collect up to 100 pounds.[3] | ||
C, F | Soybean | Glycine soja | Annual | 7 | 10 | cultivated | major | |
C, F | Sunflower | Helianthus annuus | Annual | 6 | 9 | can be | feral, cultivated | minor – 30–100 pounds/acre |
C, F | Basil | Koellia | Annual | no | cultivated | minor | ||
F | Henbit Deadnettle | Lamium sp | Perennial | 3 | 5 | no | feral | minor but valuable due to earliness/frost hardiness |
C, F | Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Perennial (shrub) | 6 | 9 | can be, see Monofloral honey | cultivated | minor |
F | Birdsfoot trefoil[4] | Lotus corniculatus | Perennial | 6 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
C, F | White Sweet Clover[3][5] | Melilotus alba | Biennial | 5 | 8 | yes | feral, cultivated | major up to 200 pounds per hive |
C, F | Yellow Sweet Clover[3][5] | Melilotus officinalis | Biennial | 5 | 8 | yes | feral, cultivated | major up to 200 pounds per hive |
C, F | Alfalfa[3][4] | Medicago sativa | Perennial | 7 | 8 | as clover honey. Alfalfa honey granulates readily.[3] | feral, cultivated | major |
C, F | Clover[4] | Melilotus spp. and Trifolium spp. | Biennial | 5 | 8 | as clover honey | feral, cultivated | major – up to 500 pounds per acre in a good year[3] |
F | Melissa, Lemon Balm[3] | Melissa officinalis | Perennial | Western US – Prolonged bloom of 45 – 50 days generally in summer, but with repeat blooming in California. Delicate honey with very light, pinkish color. | 150–250 pounds honey per acre; 50–120 pounds pollen | |||
C, F | Peppermint[5] | Mentha piperita | Perennial | no | feral | |||
F | Catnip, Cat mint[3][4] | Nepeta mussinii; Nepeta grandiflora; Nepeta cataria | Perennial | 6 | 9 | no | feral, ornamental | minor |
F | Oregano | Origanum vulgare | Perennial | 6 | 9 | no | cultivated? | minor |
C, F | Poppy | Papaver somniferum | Perennial | minor – 20–30 pounds/acre | ||||
F | Russian Sage | Perovskia atriplicifolia | Perennial | 7 | 9 | can be | ornamental | minor |
C, F | Phacelia, Tansy | Phacelia tanacetifolia | Perennial | Western US – One of the best spring forage sources for honeybees. Blooms 45–60 days and continuously produces nectar throughout the day. Can be seeded several times per year. Prefers three feet of topsoil. | 180–1,500 pounds honey per acre, depending on soil quality and depth; 300–1000 pounds of pollen.[7] | |||
G, H | Plantain | Plantago Major | Perennial | 7 | [8] | |||
F | Smartweed | Polygonum spp. | Perennial | 8 | 9 | feral | major | |
F | Selfheal | Prunella vulgaris | Perennial | 7 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
F | Lungwort | Pulmonaria spp. | Perennial | 5 | 5 | no | feral | minor |
F | Appalachian Mountain Mint | Pycnanthemum flexuosum | Perennial | 8 | 10 | minor | ||
F | Azalea | Rhododendron spp. | Perennial | 6 | 8 | no | ornamental | minor |
F | Scrophularia | Scrophularia spp. | Perennial | 7 | 7 | no | feral | minor |
F | Sedum, Autumn Joy[4] | Sedum spectabile | Perennial | |||||
F | Goldenrod[3] | Solidago spp. | Perennial | 9 | 10 | can be; Honey golden color of deep amber; marked flavor; granulates quickly | feral | major |
F | Woundwort | Stachys byzantina | Perennial | 5 | 5 | no | feral | minor |
F | Chickweed[4] | Stellaria Media | Annual | 4 | 7 | no | feral | minor |
F | Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | Annual | 4 | 5 | no Honey deep yellow will granulate quickly; mostly consumed by bees during brood rearing[5] | feral | major |
F | Germander, Thyme | Teucrium canadense | Perennial | 7 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
F | Thyme | Thymus pulegioides; Thymus serpyllum | Perennial | 6 | 7 | no | feral, cultivated | minor – 50–150 pounds honey/acre |
F | Red-Flowering Thyme | Thymus praecox | Perennial | 6 | 7 | feral? | major | |
C, F | Alsike Clover[3] | Trifolium hybridum | Perennial | as clover honey. Alsike clover honey is one of the very best honey plants in America.[3] | feral, cultivated | major, up to 500 pounds/acre[4] | ||
C, F | Crimson clover | Trifolium incarnatum | Perennial | as clover honey | feral, cultivated | major[3] | ||
C, F | Red Clover | Trifolium pratense | Perennial | 6 | 7 | as clover honey | feral, cultivated | major |
C, F | White Clover[5] | Trifolium repens | Perennial | 6 | 7 | as clover honey; The honey is white or nearly white; very mild flavored and does not granulate readily. see Monofloral honey | feral, cultivated | major |
F | Blue Vervain | Verbena hastata L. | Perennial | 7 | 8 | no | ornamental? | minor |
F | Tall Ironweed | Vernonia altissima | Perennial | 8 | 9 | no | feral | minor |
F | Speedwell | Veronica spicata | Perennial | 6 | 6 | no | feral | minor |
F | Tufted Vetch, Common Vetch[4] | Vicia cracca | Perennial | 7 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
F | Common Vetch | Vicia sativa | Perennial | 7 | 8 | no | feral | minor |
F | Blackhaw | Viburnum prunifolium | Perennial (shrub) | 5 | 6 | no | feral | minor |
Garden plants to feed honey bees in Canada
Gallery
- A honey bee on Sweet autumn clematis in September.
- Honey bee on Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Hylotelephium telephium).
- Two Bees on a Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense.
See also
- Forage (honeybee)
- List of honey plants
- Honeydew source
- Nectar source
- Pollen source
- Melliferous flower
- Regional honeys
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2007-10-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Delaplane, Keith Bee Conservation in the Southeast The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension; Service Bulletin 1164; April 2010 (web accessed May 2019)
- Pellett, Frank Chapman (1920). American Honey Plants: Together with Those which are of Special Value to the Beekeeper as Sources of Pollen. American Bee Journal. Retrieved 23 May 2019 – via Internet Archive.
American Honey Plants.
- Tew, James Some Ohio Nectar and Pollen Producing Plants Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet, 2000
- Lovell, John H. Honey plants of North America; THE ROOT COMPANY, 1926
- Zhiliang, Pan (Summer 1997). "Bee Visitation and Nectar Production of Anise Hyssop" (PDF). Department of Plants and Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts.
- "A Selection of Bee Forage Plants" (PDF). Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary.
Further reading
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (2017). Planting Forage for Honey Bees in Canada (PDF).
- Chan, S. (2012). A Landowner's Guide to Conserving Native Pollinators in Ontario (PDF)
- Magnini, R. (2011). Honey Plants of Eastern Canada: A Field Guide. Sweet Clover Productions. ISBN 978-0987729903