A honey bee collecting nectar from an rosaceous flower.
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. 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.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 1 of 20 Honeydew sources are not included in this listing.
Trees and shrubs
Source for Begin End honey bees Plant Nonscientific Scientific Monofloral Bloom Bloom Availability / pounds of type name name honey Month Month honey per acre
major but temperature T Maple Acer 2 4 no feral usually too cold
major but temperature T Red Maple[1] Acer rubrum 2 4 no feral usually too cold for bees to fly
Ohio Buckeye Aesculus T 4 5 no feral minor [2] glabra
Amelanchier S Shadbush 4 5 no feral minor arborea
Devils- S, T Aralia spinosa 7 8 no feral minor walkingstick
Aronia Red arbutifolia , S 5 6 no feral minor Chokeberry Photinia pyrifolia
S Black Aronia 5 6 no feral minor
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 2 of 20 Chokeberry[3] melanocarpa
Catalpa, Catalpa feral, T Indian Bean 6 7 no minor speciosa ornamental [2][3][4]
Common Celtis S 4 5 no feral minor Hackberry occidentalis
Honey is light in Cephalanthus S Buttonbush [2] 7 8 color and feral occidentalis mild in flavor.
minor - 50 - S Hawthorn Crataegus 4 5 no feral 100 pounds/acre
Honeysuckle Diervilla S 6 8 minor [2] lonicera
Gleditsia T Honey Locust 5 6 no feral minor triancanthos
minor, American important in S Ilex opaca 4 6 no feral Holly southeastern US
major in yes, see southern Liriodendron T Tulip-tree[5] 5 6 Monofloral feral Appalachians tulipifera honey and Piedmont
No, the nectar is
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 3 of 20 mostly used for spring Malus brood T Apple[3] 4 5 cultivated minor domestica raising and not stored for surplus. see Monofloral honey[4]
Malus sylvestris ; T Crab Apple 3 6 no ornamental minor Malus coronaria [2]
feral, T Cherry [2][3] Prunus cerasus 4 5 no minor cultivated
Pyrus T Pear 4 5 no cultivated minor communis
feral, T Black Cherry Prunus serotina 4 5 no minor cultivated
feral, T Plum Prunus 4 5 no minor cultivated
Common Rhamnus S 5 6 no feral minor Buckthorn cathartica
mixed with T Sumac[2] Rhus glabra 6 7 other feral major honeys
major - 800 - 1200
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 4 of 20 yes, see pounds/; Black Robinia T 5 6 Monofloral feral short bloom locust[3][4] pseudoacacia honey period of about 10 days
yes, see feral, major in S Raspberry Rubus 5 6 Monofloral cultivated some areas honey
yes, see feral, major in S Blackberry Rubus spp. 5 6 Monofloral cultivated some areas honey [2]
major but outside temperatures are usually too cold for feral, bees to fly. T Willow Salix 2 4 no ornamental 100 - 150 pounds honey per acre; 1,500 pounds pollen
major but temperature feral, T Pussy Willow Salix discolor 3 4 no usually too ornamental cold for bees to fly
T Bee bee tree Tetradium 7 9 ornamental major
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 5 of 20 feral, ornamental Produces a yes, short high flow up to volume of 14 days; honey on a major 800 - Tilia Honey cycle of 1,100 T Basswood[3][4] americana , 6 7 white; every five pounds Tilia cordata aromatic [2] to eight honey see years, with Monofloral lower honey volume of nectar other years.
Ulmus T American Elm 2 4 no feral minor americana
minor in Vaccinium most areas. corymbosum, no. Honey Strong Vaccinium amber and colonies may S Blueberry 5 6 cultivated angustifolium, of good store 50-90 Vaccinium flavor. pounds of pennsylvanicum surplus from it.[2]
Viburnum S Black haw[3] 5 6 prunifolium
cultivated, T Redbud 4 4 no minor ornamental
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 6 of 20 Flowers, crops, herbs and grasses
Begin End Plant Common Monofloral Source for Latin name Bloom Bloom Availability type name honey honey bees Month Month
Agstache F Anise hyssop[3] 7 10 no feral minor foeniculum
Blue bugle, Bugleherb, Bugleweed, F Ajuga reptans 5 5 Carpetweed, Common bugle[3]
Allium F Chives [3] 5 9 no cultivated minor schoenoprasum
C, F Garlic chives Allium tuberosa 8 9 no cultivated minor
Amorpha F Leadwort 6 7 no feral minor fruticosa
feral All species are major 120 - great for 250 pounds honeybees. honey, Nectar is so depending on soil and if Asclepias abundant that F Milkweed [4][5] 7 8 good spp. 55 species it is possible to shake the fertilization blossom and Asclepias actually see syriaca has the nectar the highest
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 7 of 20 fall. honey yield.
Butterfly Asclepias F 7 8 no feral minor Weed[3] tuberosa
Asparagus C Asparagus 5 6 no cultivated minor officinalis
F Milk Vetch Astragalus spp. 5 6 no feral minor
usually mixed with feral, F Aster Aster spp. 8 10 major[3] goldenrod ornamental [2]
minor, but can be major on cultivated area 200 Borago feral, F Borage[3] 6 10 no pounds officinalis ornamental honey per acre; 60-160 pounds pollen
Brassica arvenisi (L.); C, F Mustard[5] 4 5 no? cultivated minor? Brassica campestris
Brassica napus yes, see Oilseed Rape C L., Brassica 5 6 Monofloral cultivated major (Canola) [3] rapa honey
Calendula F Marigold 6 9 no ornamental minor officinalis
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 8 of 20 Carduus light honey F Canada thistle arvensis of good quality [2]
Centaurea F Thistle 7 9 no feral minor spp.
Centaurea F Mountain Bluet Montana 5 5 no?? feral major (Knapweed)
feral (invasive F Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense 7 9 in North America)
Sweet Autumn Clematis F 9 9 ornamental minor Clematis terniflora
Clethra Clethra F Summersweet 7 8 no feral minor alnifolia [3]
no; Honey is pale yellow or C, F Cucumber 6 9 cultivated minor amber with strong flavor.[2]
C Melon 6 10 no cultivated minor
Cucurbita C Pumpkin 6 10 no cultivated minor pepo
Daucus C, F Wild Carrot 8 9 no feral minor carota
Doronicum F Leopardsbane 4 5 no feral minor cordatum
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 9 of 20 Iberis F Candytuft[3] 5 5 sempervirens
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
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 10 of 20 stable source of nectar for bees. Additionally this plant Echium major 300 - produces vulgare 1,000 pounds nectar Echium vulgare honey/acre Viper's Bugloss, throughout is most widely depending on F Blue thistle, 6 8 no the day unlike known, though soil. 500- Blue weed [3] most plants there are about 2000 lbs of which 60 additional dark blue produce species. pollen. 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
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 11 of 20 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.[6]
F Globe Thistle Echinops ritro 8 8 feral major
Epilobium F Fireweed 6 9 yes feral major angustifolium
Erica vulgaris, see 100 - 200 F Heather though many Monofloral pounds varieties honey honey
Eutrochium spp. "Eupatorium spp. Joe-Pye weed, Eupatorium F Boneset, White 8 9 no feral minor purpureum; Snakeroot [3] Eupatorium perfoliatum; Eupatorium
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 12 of 20 ageratoides
can be; dark honey with rarely Fagopyrum C, F Buckwheat [3] 7 8 distinct cultivated minor esculentum flavor; now granulates quickly [5]
no. Honey minor; Strong is clear, hives can Gonolobus heavy F Blue vine feral collect up to laevis bodied of 100 excellent pounds. flavor.[2]
C, F Soybean Glycine soja 7 10 cultivated major
minor 30 - Helianthus feral, C, F Sunflower 6 9 can be 100 annuus cultivated pounds/acre
C, F Basil Koellia no cultivated minor
minor but valuable due Henbit F Lamium sp 3 5 no feral to Deadnettle earliness/frost hardiness
can be, see Lavandula C, F Lavender 6 9 Monofloral cultivated minor angustifolia honey
Birdsfoot Lotus F 6 8 no feral minor trefoil[3] corniculatus
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 13 of 20 major up to C, F White Sweet Melilotus alba 5 8 yes feral, 200 pounds [2][4] Clover cultivated per hive
major up to Yellow Sweet Melilotus feral, C, F 5 8 yes 200 pounds Clover[2][4] officinalis cultivated per hive
as clover honey. Medicago Alfalfa feral, C, F Alfalfa[2][3] 7 8 major sativa honey cultivated granulates readily.[2]
major - up to Melilotus spp. as clover feral, 500 pounds C, F Clover[3] and Trifolium 5 8 honey cultivated per acre in a spp. good year
Western USA - Prolonged bloom of 45 – 50 days 150 - 250 generally in pounds summer, but Melissa, Lemon Melissa honey per F with repeat Balm [2] officinalis acre; 50-120 blooming in pounds California. pollen Delicate honey with very light, pinkish color.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 14 of 20 C, F Peppermint[4] Mentha piperita no feral
Nepeta mussinii; Catnip, Cat feral, F Nepeta 6 9 no minor mint [2][3] ornamental grandiflora; Nepeta cataria
Origanum F Oregano 6 9 no cultivated? minor vulgare
minor - 20 - Papaver C, F Poppy 30 pounds somniferum /acre
Perovskia F Russian Sage 7 9 can be ornamental minor atriplicifolia
Western US - One of the best spring forage sources for 180 - 1,500 honeybees. pounds Blooms 45– honey per 60 days and acre, continuously Phacelia depending on C, F Phacelia, Tansy produces tanacetifolia soil quality nectar and depth; throughout 300-1000 the day. Can pounds of be seeded pollen.[6] several times per year. Prefers three
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 15 of 20 feet of topsoil.
G,H Plantain Plantago Major 7 [7]
Polygonum F Smartweed 8 9 feral major spp.
Prunella F Selfheal 7 8 no feral minor vulgaris
Pulmonaria F Lungwort 5 5 no feral minor spp.
Appalachian Pycnanthemum F 8 10 minor Mountain Mint flexuosum
Rhododendron F Azalea 6 8 no ornamental minor spp.
Scrophularia F Scrophularia 7 7 no feral minor spp.
Sedum, Autumn Sedum F Joy [3] spectabile
can be; Honey golden color of deep F Goldenrod[2] Solidago spp. 9 10 feral major amber; marked flavor; granulates quickly
Stachys F Woundwort 5 5 no feral minor
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 16 of 20 byzantina
F Chickweed [3] Stellaria Media 4 7 no feral minor
no Honey deep yellow will granulate quickly; Taraxacum mostly F Dandelion 4 5 feral major officinale consumed by bees during brood rearing [4]
Germander, Teucrium F 7 8 no feral minor Thyme canadense
Thymus minor - 50 - pulegioides; feral, F Thyme 6 7 no 150 pounds Thymus cultivated honey/acre serpyllum
Red-Flowering Thymus F 6 7 feral? major Thyme praecox
as clover honey. Alsike clover major, up to Trifolium honey is feral, 500 C, F Alsike Clover [2] hybridum one of the cultivated pounds/acre very best [3] honey
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 17 of 20 plants in America.[2]
C, F Crimson clover Trifolium as clover feral, major [2] incarnatum honey cultivated
Trifolium as clover feral, C, F Red Clover 6 7 major pratense honey cultivated
as clover honey; The honey is white or nearly white; very White mild feral, C, F Trifolium repens 6 7 major Clover[4][5] flavored cultivated and does not granulate readily. see Monofloral honey
Verbena hastata F Blue Vervain 7 8 no ornamental? minor L.
Vernonia F Tall Ironweed 8 9 no feral minor altissima
Veronica F Speedwell 6 6 no feral minor spicata
Tufted Vetch, F Common Vicia cracca 7 8 no feral minor Vetch[3]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 18 of 20 F Common Vetch Vicia sativa 7 8 no feral minor
Viburnum F Blackhaw 5 6 no feral minor prunifolium
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.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 19 of 20 See also
Forage (honeybee)
List of honey plants
Honeydew source
Nectar source
Pollen source
Melliferous flower
Regional honeys References
1. ^ Delaplane, Keith Pollination: Plants for Year-round Bee Forage The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension; Service Bulletin 1164; February 1998 (web accessed Nov 2006)
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Pellett, Frank; American Honey Plants, American Bee Journal, Hamilton, Illinois, 297 pages, 1920 [1]
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Tew, James Some Ohio Nectar and Pollen Producing Plants Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet, 2000
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lovell, John H. Honey plants of North America; THE ROOT COMPANY, 1926
5. ^ a b c d e Stahlman, Dana T. Honey Plants Flowering Plants Trees Ohio, 2004 (web accessed Jun 2010)
6. ^ a b Top Five" Plants for Honeybees (accessed Sep 2009)
7. ^ "A Selection of Bee Forage Plants" (PDF). Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees 7/21/16, 10:40 PM Page 20 of 20