Beekeeping Insect Note 2B

Landscape Planting for Bees

Prepared by:
S. Bambara, Extension Specialist

Dated 1/93
Placed on the Web 3/95 by the Center for Integrated Pest Management

Increased urbanization of our rural areas has destroyed native forage vegetation in many places. In addition, many of our hobby beekeepers living in the suburbs enjoy watching bees work the flowers. With this in mind and because honey bees are so important for pollinating agricultural, horticultural, and wild plants, there is at least one small thing we can do to support our state insect.

Most houses and yards are landscaped, so by merely making certain choices, nectar or pollen producing plants can be used with little or no additional cost. Though they have only a tiny effect on a single hive, every little bit contributes and the more people use these plants, the more significant will be the total benefit. Below are listed some plant material which can be used around homes, parks or city streets. All are highly attractive to bees except where noted. Attractiveness may vary in different regions. Most of the berry and seed bearing plants also produce good forage for birds.

This list is not complete and all plants may not thrive in all parts of the state. Consult any reference on landscape plants or your Cooperative Extension agent for further information about how to use some of these. You may also want to visit local gardens or plantings for ideas.

Ground Covers

Ladino clover - blooms late spring-summer
Crimson clover - blooms late spring
Ajuga - blooms spring
Graph Hyacinth - blooms spring
Strawberry - blooms spring
Ampelopsis brevipedunculosa - blooms late spring

Shrubs

Barberry (Berberissp.) - blooms spring: evergreen*
Vitex - blooms most of summer: deciduous
Privet (Ligustrum) - blooms late spring: may produce bitter nectar
Abelia - blooms summer/fall; evergreen; mildly attractive
Quince (Chaenomeles) - blooms spring
Blueberry (Vaccinium) - blooms spring
Silverberry (Eleagnus) - blooms late spring; deciduous; fragrant*
Nandina - blooms summer; mildly attractive
Pieris (Pieris japonica - blooms spring; evergreen
Holly (Ilex) especially I. burfordi, I. cornuta, I. rotunda; blooms spring; almost all species excellent nectar source; may require pruning*
Euonymous - blooms summer; variable attractiveness among species
Silverling (Baccharis halimifolia) - blooms fall; native aster shrub in coastal plain and piedmont
Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) - blooms late spring; native coastal plain shrub, survives piedmont; evergreen*

Small Trees

Red Bud (Cercis) - blooms early spring; native or cultivated varieties
Apple, Crabapple (Malus) - blooms early spring; usually requires pruning*
Pussy Willow (Salix) - blooms early spring; most Salix spp. good
Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)_ - blooms summer
Sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum) - blooms midsummer; irregular nectar production
Sumac (Rhus) - blooms summer/fall; shrub or small tree; deciduous*
Holly (Ilex) - blooms spring; many species achieve tree status if unpruned*
Beebee Tree (Evodia danielli) - blooms late summer
Hercules Club (Aralia spinossa) - blooms late summer

Large Trees

Maple (Acer spp.), especially A. rubrum, A. ginnala - blooms early spring; good nectar production

Linden, Basswood (Tilia - blooms in spring; excellent nectar production
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) - blooms spring; inconsistent nectar production
Tulip, Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) - blooms spring; fast growing; excellent nectar production
Black Gum, Tupelo (Nyssa) - blooms spring; Tupelo requires moist soil
Persimmon (Diospyros) - blooms late spring

*Also provides food/cover for birds.

Suggested References

Honey Plants Manual. H.B. Lovell. 1966. A.I. Root Co., Medina, OH 44256.

American Honey Plants. F.C. Pellett. 1947. Orange Judd, NY.

"Bee Forage of North America." Ayers & Harman, in Hive and Honey Bee. 1922. Dadant & Sons, Hamilton, IL.