Northern American nectar sources for honey bees

Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
1
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
The nectar source in a given area depends on the type of
vegetation present and the length of their bloom period. What type
of vegetation will 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 are plants that 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 [1] 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 thirdth of a time zone) will cause any given biological event
to occur four days later in the spring or four days earlier in the fall.
In botany, the term phenology refers to the timing of flower
emergence, sequence of bloom, fruiting, and leaf drop in autumn.
A honey bee collecting nectar from an apple flower.
The classification in major or minor nectar source is very dependent on the agricultural use of the land. Agricultural
crops like canola and 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 year-round nectar forage than areas that are heavily cultivated with a few agricultural crops. The
nectar sources from large cultivated fields of blooming apples, cherries, canola, melons, sun flowers, clover etc. are
of benefit to 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
Common name
Latin name
Begin
Bloom
Month
End
Bloom
Month
2
4
no
feral
major but temperature
usually too cold
2
4
no
feral
major but temperature
usually too cold for
bees to fly
4
5
no
feral
minor
4
5
no
feral
minor
7
8
no
feral
minor
5
Aronia arbutifolia
[9]
, Photinia pyrifolia
6
no
feral
minor
5
6
no
feral
minor
T
Maple
Acer
T
Red Maple
T
Ohio Buckeye
S
Shadbush
Amelanchier arborea
[6]
Devils-walkingstick
Aralia spinosa
[2]
Acer rubrum
[4]
S
Red Chokeberry
S
Black
[10]
Chokeberry
[8]
[3]
Aesculus glabra
[5]
[7]
Aronia melanocarpa
[11]
Monofloral honey
Availability
Source for honey bees
/ pounds of honey per
acre
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
2
[13] 6
7
no
feral, ornamental
minor
Celtis occidentalis
[14]
4
5
no
feral
minor
Cephalanthus
occidentalis
7
8
Honey is light in
color and mild in
flavor.
feral
4
5
no
feral
Diervilla lonicera
6
8
Honey Locust
Gleditsia
[16]
triancanthos
5
6
no
feral
minor
S
American Holly
Ilex opaca
4
6
no
feral
minor, important in
southeastern US
T
Tulip-tree
5
6
yes, see Monofloral
honey
feral
major in southern
Appalachians and
Piedmont
T
[10]
Apple
[20] 4
5
No, the nectar is
mostly used for
spring brood raising
and not stored for
surplus. see
Monofloral
[12]
honey
cultivated
minor
T
Crab Apple
[21] 3
Malus sylvestris
;
[4]
Malus coronaria
6
no
ornamental
minor
T
Cherry
Prunus cerasus
4
5
no
feral, cultivated
minor
T
Pear
Pyrus communis
4
5
no
cultivated
minor
T
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
4
5
no
feral, cultivated
minor
T
Plum
Prunus
4
5
no
feral, cultivated
minor
S
Common Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
5
6
no
feral
minor
T
[4]
Sumac
Rhus glabra
6
7
mixed with other
honeys
feral
major
T
Black
[10][12]
Locust
Robinia
[23]
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
[4]
honey
feral, cultivated
major in some
[10]
areas
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
Catalpa, Indian Bean Catalpa speciosa
[4][10][12]
S
Common Hackberry
S
Buttonbush
S
Hawthorn
S
Honeysuckle
T
[4]
Crataegus
[4]
[18]
[4][10]
[15]
[17]
Liriodendron
[19]
tulipifera
Malus domestica
[22]
minor - 50 - 100
pounds/acre
minor
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
3
T
Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
3
4
T
Bee bee tree
Tetradium
7
9
T
Basswood
Tilia americana
Tilia cordata
6
7
T
American Elm
Ulmus americana
2
S
Blueberry
Vaccinium
corymbosum,
Vaccinium
angustifolium,
Vaccinium
pennsylvanicum
S
Black haw
Viburnum
prunifolium
[10][12]
[10]
[24]
,
no
feral, ornamental
major but temperature
usually too cold for
bees to fly
ornamental
major
yes, short flow up to
14 days; Honey
[4]
white; aromatic
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
4
no
feral
minor
5
6
no. Honey amber
and of good flavor.
cultivated
minor in most areas.
Strong colonies may
store 50-90 pounds of
[4]
surplus from it.
5
6
Flowers, crops, herbs and grasses
Plant
type
Common name
F
Anise hyssop
F
Blue bugle,
Bugleherb,
Bugleweed,
Carpetweed,
Common
[10]
bugle
F
Chives
C, F
Latin name
[10] Agstache
foeniculum
Begin
End
Bloom Bloom
Month Month
7
10
Ajuga reptans
5
5
Allium
schoenoprasum
5
Garlic chives
Allium tuberosa
F
Monofloral
honey
Availability
Source for
honey bees
no
feral
minor
9
no
cultivated
minor
8
9
no
cultivated
minor
Leadwort
Amorpha fruticosa 6
7
no
feral
minor
F
Milkweed
[18][12]
[25]
Asclepias
spp. 55 species
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
[10]
Weed
Asclepias tuberosa 7
[26]
8
no
feral
minor
C
Asparagus
Asparagus
officinalis
6
no
cultivated
minor
[10]
5
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
4
F
Milk Vetch
Astragalus spp.
5
6
no
feral
minor
F
Aster
Aster spp.
8
10
usually mixed
with goldenrod
[4]
feral, ornamental
major
F
Borage
Borago officinalis
[27]
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 arvenisi
(L.); Brassica
campestris
4
5
no?
cultivated
minor?
C
Oilseed Rape
[10]
(Canola)
Brassica napus L., 5
Brassica rapa
6
yes, see
Monofloral
honey
cultivated
major
F
Marigold
Calendula
[28]
officinalis
6
9
no
ornamental
minor
F
Canada thistle
Carduus arvensis
F
Thistle
Centaurea
spp.
F
Mountain Bluet
F
[10]
[18]
[29]
[10]
light honey of
[4]
good quality
7
9
no
feral
minor
Centaurea
Montana
(Knapweed)
5
5
no??
feral
major
Creeping thistle
Cirsium arvense
7
9
feral (invasive in North America)
F
Sweet Autumn
Clematis
Clematis terniflora 9
9
ornamental
minor
F
Clethra
Summersweet
[10]
Clethra alnifolia
[30]
7
8
no
feral
minor
C, F
Cucumber
6
9
no; Honey is
pale yellow or
amber with
strong
[4]
flavor.
cultivated
minor
C
Melon
6
10
no
cultivated
minor
C
Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
[31]
6
10
no
cultivated
minor
C, F
Wild Carrot
Daucus carota
[32]
8
9
no
feral
minor
F
Leopardsbane
[33]
Doronicum
cordatum
4
5
no
feral
minor
F
Candytuft
Iberis
sempervirens
5
5
[10]
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
5
F
6
Viper's Bugloss, Echium vulgare
[35]
Blue thistle, Blue
Echium
[34][10]
weed
vulgare is most
widely known,
though there are
about 60
additional species.
8
F
Globe Thistle
Echinops ritro
[37]
8
8
F
Fireweed
6
Epilobium
[38]
angustifolium
9
F
Heather
Erica vulgaris,
though many
varieties
F
Joe-Pye weed,
Boneset, White
[10]
Snakeroot
Eutrochium spp.
"Eupatorium spp.
Eupatorium
purpureum;
Eupatorium
perfoliatum;
Eupatorium
ageratoides
8
9
no
feral
minor
C, F
Buckwheat
Fagopyrum
esculentum
7
8
can be; dark
honey with
distinct flavor;
granulates
[18]
quickly
rarely cultivated now
minor
F
Blue vine
no. Honey is
clear, heavy
bodied of
excellent
[4]
flavor.
feral
minor; Strong
hives can collect
up to 100
[4]
pounds.
C, F
Soybean
Glycine soja
cultivated
major
C, F
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 6
can be
feral, cultivated
minor 30 - 100
pounds/acre
C, F
Basil
Koellia
cultivated
no
minor
[10]
[39]
no
yes
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 ver y
fragrant with a pleasant taste, and does not
[36]
crystallize for 9–15 months.
major 300 1,000 pounds
honey/acre
depending on
soil.
500-2000 lbs of
dark blue pollen.
feral
major
feral
major
see Monofloral
honey
Gonolobus laevis
7
10
9
100 - 200 pounds
honey
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
6
F
Henbit
Deadnettle
Lamium sp
3
5
no
feral
minor but
valuable due to
earliness/frost
hardiness
C, F
Lavender
Lavandula
angustifolia
6
9
can be, see
Monofloral
honey
cultivated
minor
F
Birdsfoot
[10]
trefoil
Lotus corniculatus 6
8
no
feral
minor
C, F
White Sweet
[4][12]
Clover
Melilotus alba
5
8
yes
feral, cultivated
major up to 200
pounds per hive
C, F
Yellow Sweet
[4][12]
Clover
Melilotus
officinalis
5
8
yes
feral, cultivated
major up to 200
pounds per hive
C, F
Alfalfa
[4][10]
Medicago sativa
7
8
as clover
honey. Alfalfa
honey
granulates
[4]
readily.
feral, cultivated
major
C, F
Clover
[10]
Melilotus spp. and
Trifolium spp.
5
8
as clover honey feral, cultivated
F
Melissa, Lemon
[4]
Balm
C, F
Peppermint
Mentha piperita
F
Catnip, Cat mint
[4][10]
Nepeta mussinii;
Nepeta
grandiflora;
Nepeta cataria
6
F
Oregano
Origanum vulgare 6
C, F
Poppy
Papaver
somniferum
F
Russian Sage
Perovskia
atriplicifolia
C, F
Phacelia, Tansy
Phacelia
tanacetifolia
F
Smartweed
Polygonum spp.
8
9
F
Selfheal
Prunella vulgaris
7
8
F
Lungwort
Pulmonaria spp.
5
5
F
Appalachian
Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum
flexuosum
8
10
[12]
Melissa officinalis
Western USA - Prolonged bloom of 45 –
50 days generally in summer, but with
repeat blooming in California. Delicate
honey with very light, pinkish color.
major - up to 500
pounds per acre
[4]
in a good year
150 - 250 pounds
honey per acre;
50-120 pounds
pollen
no
feral
9
no
feral, ornamental
minor
9
no
cultivated?
minor
minor - 20 - 30
pounds /acre
7
9
can be
ornamental
minor
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
[36]
of pollen.
feral
major
no
feral
minor
no
feral
minor
minor
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
7
F
Azalea
Rhododendron
spp.
6
8
no
ornamental
minor
F
Scrophularia
Scrophularia spp.
7
7
no
feral
minor
F
Sedum, Autumn
[10]
Joy
Sedum spectabile
F
Goldenrod
Solidago spp.
9
10
can be; Honey
golden color of
deep amber;
marked flavor;
granulates
quickly
feral
major
F
Woundwort
Stachys byzantina
5
5
no
feral
minor
F
Chickweed
Stellaria Media
4
7
no
feral
minor
F
Dandelion
Taraxacum
officinale
4
5
no Honey deep feral
yellow will
granulate
quickly; mostly
consumed by
bees doing
brood rearing
[12]
major
F
Germander,
[40]
Thyme
Teucrium
canadense
7
8
no
feral
minor
F
Thyme
Thymus
pulegioides;
Thymus serpyllum
6
7
no
feral, cultivated
minor - 50 - 150
pounds
honey/acre
F
Red-Flowering
Thyme
Thymus praecox
6
7
feral?
major
C, F
Alsike Clover
feral, cultivated
major, up to 500
[10]
pounds/acre
C, F
Crimson clover
Trifolium
incarnatum
C, F
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense 6
C, F
White
[18][12]
Clover
Trifolium repens
[4]
[10]
[4] Trifolium
hybridum
as clover
honey. Alsike
clover honey is
one of the very
best honey
plants in
[4]
America.
6
as clover honey feral, cultivated
major
7
as clover honey feral, cultivated
major
7
as clover
feral, cultivated
honey; The
honey is white
or nearly white;
very mild
flavored and
does not
granulate
readily. see
Monofloral
honey
major
[4]
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
8
F
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
L.
7
8
no
ornamental?
minor
F
Tall Ironweed
Vernonia altissima 8
9
no
feral
minor
F
Speedwell
Veronica spicata
6
6
no
feral
minor
F
Tufted Vetch,
Common
[10]
Vetch
Vicia cracca
7
8
no
feral
minor
F
Common Vetch
Vicia sativa
7
8
no
feral
minor
F
Blackhaw
Viburnum
prunifolium
5
6
no
feral
minor
[41]
References
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[2] Delaplane, Keith Pollination: Plants for
Year-round Bee Forage (http:/ / www. caes.
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University of Georgia College of
Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension; Service Bulletin
1164; February 1998 (web accessed Nov
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American Bee Journal, Hamilton, Illinois,
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[10] Tew, James Some Ohio Nectar and Pollen Producing Plants (http:/ / ohioline. osu. edu/
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
9
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[11] http:/ / www. ct-botanical-society. org/
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[12] Lovell, John H. Honey plants of North
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Two Bees on a Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense
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Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
[36]
[37]
[38]
[39]
[40]
[41]
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10
Article Sources and Contributors
Article Sources and Contributors
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=542320470 Contributors: Alan Liefting, Arch dude, Cadfaell, Choess, Cooke, Cwilsonc,
Dyanega, Dysmorodrepanis, Edgar181, First Light, GameKeeper, Grandia01, Iamunknown, J.P.Lon, Jaguarlaser, Jay1279, Keenan Pepper, Lightdarkness, Lightmouse, Look2See1, Lucian
Sunday, Neophyrigian, Niceguyedc, Pekinensis, Pollinator, Princess Lirin, Ricardo Carneiro Pires, Rjwilmsi, S, SB Johnny, Salamurai, Shoefly, SlackerMom, YUL89YYZ, 6 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
Image:Bee in flower.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bee_in_flower.jpg License: unknown Contributors: ComputerHotline, Fir0002, Gveret Tered, Kersti Nebelsiek,
MPF, Maksim, Quadell, 1 anonymous edits
Image:Bee on clematis.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bee_on_clematis.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Shoefly (talk) (Uploads)
Image:Honey bee on sedum.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Honey_bee_on_sedum.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Shoefly
Image:Cirsium arvense with Bees Richard Bartz.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cirsium_arvense_with_Bees_Richard_Bartz.jpg License: Creative Commons
Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors: Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
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