Wild Species and varieties, Native or Well-Established and Non-Invasive in the British Isles
Flowering times key:
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Spring flowering (March, April, May) |
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Summer flowering (June, July, August) |
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Flowers in the ‘June Gap’ |
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Autumn flowering (September, October, November) |
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Winter flowering (December, January, February) |
Spp = Species
Syn = synonym
“A simple but effective guide to help all pollinators is to select plants with a single, open flower. Most of our honey comes from wild and cultivated crops between May and August therefore gardeners should try to provide a constant nectar source, particularly earlier in spring and later in autumn when there are fewer sources available”. David Packham, Regional Bee Inspector South West. List compiled by Sarah Holdsworth with help from Dr Mick Street and David Packham.
| TREES-Large | |
Aesculus hippocastanum  
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Horse chestnut. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – June. Honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
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Acer campestre, Acer spp
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Field Maple, and other sppwhich flower in a temperate climate. Nectar+ Pollen, April – May |
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Acer pseudoplatanus
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Sycamore. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – June. Honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
Alnus cordata
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Italian alder, for draining soil. Pollen major February – April |
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Alnus glutinosa
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Common alder, for boggy soil. Major Pollen, early March |
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Castanea sativa
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Sweet chestnut.Pollen, June – July |
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Catalpa bignonioides
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Indian bean tree. Nectar + Pollen major, July – August |
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Liriodendron tulipifera
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Tulip tree. Nectar major, June, July. |
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Salix sp
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Willow, all species. Major Nectar + Pollen, February – May. Honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
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Sorbus intermedia
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Swedish Whitebeam. Nectar + Pollen, May – June |
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Tilia cordata (alsoTilia Platyphyllos, Tilia mongolica, Tilia maximowicziana, but AVIOD the cultivars ‘Petiolaris’ and ‘Orbicularis’ which have been associated with bee deaths)
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Small-leaved Lime. Native tree in decline. Nectar major late July. Honey source. The most resistant of the Lime species to Honeydew mould. Excellent for all bees |
| TREES –Medium and Small | |
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Amelanchier canadensis, A.lamarkii
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Snowy mespilus or Juneberry. Pollen, March – May. Edible fruit June. |
Arbutus unedo
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Strawberry tree. Nectar + Pollen, October – December |
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Caragana arborescens
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Siberian pea tree. Nectar + Pollen,April – May. Resistant to Fireblight. |
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Cercis siliquastrum
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Judas tree. Nectar, April – June |
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Corylus Avellana
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Hazel, Cobnut. Major Pollen, early March, April |
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Cotoneaster frigidus
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Himalayan tree cotoneaster. Nectar + Pollen both major, June, July. Excellent for all bees. |
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Crataegus monogyna
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Hawthorn. Nectar + Pollen, May– June. Excellent for all bees |
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Crataegus laevigata (And many other Crataegusspp)
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Midland Hawthorn.Nectar + Pollen, May – June. Many other Hawthorn genus excellent for all bees. |
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Eucryphia glutinosa
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Brushbush. Major Nectar + Pollen, Aug, Sept. |
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Halesia tetraptera syn Carolina
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Snowdrop tree. Nectar + Pollen, May |
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Koelreuteria paniculata
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Pride of India. Major Nectar, July – August |
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Kunzea ericiodes
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Kanuka. Major Nectar + Pollen. |
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Leptospermum scoparium
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Manuka. Major Nectar + Pollen, June with another flower flush in December. Medicinal |
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Oxydendrum arboretum
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Sorrel tree. For acid soil. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – August. Excellent for all bees. |
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Prunus padus
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Bird cherry. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – May |
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Ptelea trifoliata
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Hop tree. Nectar, June – July |
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Tetradium daniellii (synEuodia hupuhensis)
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Bee tree of China. Major Nectar + Pollen, August – October |
| FRUIT TREES | |
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Malus domestica
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Dessert and Culinary Apples. Nectar + Pollen, mid to late spring. All open-pollinated, hundreds of varieties. Vigorous M25 or standard trees recommended. |
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Malus sylvestris
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Wild crab apple. Nectar + Pollen, May. Original species and used as rootstock |
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Mespilus germanica
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Medlar. Related to Hawthorn. Major Nectar + Pollen, May – June. |
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Prunus avium
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Bird cherry, gean– wild form. Cultivated form– Sweet Cherry. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – May. Many varieties.Excellent for all bees. |
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Prunus cerasifera myrobalan
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Cherry plum. Nectar + Pollen, February – April |
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Prunus cerasus
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Acid/Sour cherry.Major Nectar + Pollen, April – May.Naturally vigorous trees. Many varieties. |
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Prunus domestica
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Plums and Gages. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – May.All cultivars benefit from cross-pollination with other varieties. |
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Prunus dulcis
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Sweet Almond. Nectar + Pollen, early spring. Cool climate cultivars benefit from cross-pollination. |
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Prunus insititia
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Gages and Damsons. Nectar + Pollen, March – April.All cultivars benefit from cross-pollination with other varieties. |
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Pyrus communis var. sativa
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Pear. Nectar + Pollen, April – May. Several varieties. |
| FRUIT BUSHES | |
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Fragaria x ananassa
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Garden strawberry. Pollen, April – July |
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Fragaria vesca
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Wild strawberry. Pollen, May – June. Good ground cover |
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Ribes nigrum
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Blackcurrant. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – May, honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
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Ribes rubrum
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Redcurrant, Whitecurrant. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – May. Honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
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Ribesuva-crispa
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Gooseberry. Major Nectar + Pollen. March – May. Honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
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Rubus fruticosus and hybrids
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Blackberry and hybrid berries. Major Nectar + Pollen, May – September |
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Rubus idaeus
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Raspberry. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – August. Honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
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Rubus loganobaccus
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Loganberry. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – August. On a par with Raspberry. Excellent for all bees. |
| SHRUBS | |
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Aralia elata, A. spinosa
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Japanese angelica, and Hercules Club. Both deciduous, Nectar major, August – September |
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Berberis spp, B.darwinii
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Berberis. Range of evergreen species, Nectar + Pollen, April – June |
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Buddleja globose
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Orange ball tree. Nectar, June |
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Callicarpa bodinieri
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Callicarpa. Nectar, July |
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Calluna vulgaris
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Heather, Ling. Evergreen dwarf, Major Nectar + Pollen, August – September. Excellent for all bees |
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Ceanothus spp
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Ceanothus. Range of large evergreen species, Nectar + Pollen, April – November |
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Cephalanthus occidentalis
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Buttonbush. Major Nectar, August. |
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Chaenomeles spp
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Quince. Nectar + Pollen, February– April |
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Cistus spp
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Sun rose (aka Rock Rose). Range of evergreen species, some but not all hardy, Major Nectar + Pollen, May-July |
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Clematis cirrhosa
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Climber. Pollen, December– February |
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Clematis montana
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Climber. Nectar + Pollen, April – May |
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Cotoneaster spp, C.adpressus, C.conspicuus
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Range of evergreen species, Nectar + Pollen, May – July |
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Cytisus scoparius
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Broom. Pollen, May – June |
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Deutzia spp
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Range of deciduous species, Pollen. Summer. |
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Erica cinereal, Erica tetralix
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Heaths. Bell heath often grows wild with Heather. Major Nectar + Pollen, March – September. Excellent for all bees |
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Escallonia macrantha
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One of the few hardy species of this genera, Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Fushia magellanica
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Fushia. Nectar, June – September |
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Hebe spp., Hebe elliptica
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Range of evergreen species, Nectar + Pollen, July, August |
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Hedera helix
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Ivy. Evergreen climber. Major Nectar + Pollen, September– November. (Does NOT harm trees!) Good ground cover too. |
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Helianthemum spp, H. nummularium
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Rock Rose. Small evergreen shrub, Pollen, May – July |
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Hydrangea petiolaris
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Climbing hydrangea (not the ordinary garden hydrangeas), Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Hypericum calycinum
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Rose of Sharon. Major Pollen, June – September |
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Hyssopus officinalis
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Hyssop. Small evergreen, Nectar + Pollen, June – October |
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Ilex aquifolium
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Holly. Nectar, May – June |
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Kolkwitzia amabilis
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Large deciduous shrub, Nectar + Pollen, May – June. |
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Lavandula angustifolia
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English Lavender. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Ligustrum ovalifolium
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Garden privet. Major Nectar, August – September |
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Lonicera fragrantissima
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Winter-flowering Honeysuckle. Deciduous Nectar + Pollen. December – March |
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Mahonia aquifolium, M. japonica
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Large evergreen shrub, Nectar + Pollen, November – April |
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Perovskia atriplicifolia
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Russian sage. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – October |
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Pyracantha coccinea
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Firethorn. Major Nectar + Pollen, May – June |
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Ribes sanguineum
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Flowering ornamental currants. Nectar + Pollen, April |
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Rosa spp, R.canina
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Single flowered species like Dogrose. Pollen, June – July |
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Sarcococca confusa
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Sweet box. Evergreen. Nectar + Pollen, December – March |
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Symphoricarpos albus
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Snowberry.Major Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Symphoricarpos occidentalis
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Wolfberry. Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
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Coralberry. Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Teucrium fruticans
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Tree germander. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – November |
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Ulex europaeus
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Gorse. Major Pollen, February – June |
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Viburnum tinus
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Laurustinus. Pollen, October – April |
| PERENNIALS | |
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Achilea filipendulina, A.millefolium
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Fern-leaf yarrow and yarrow. Nectar + Pollen, July – September |
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Agastache foeniculum
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Anise hyssop. Major Nectar, June – October. Excellent for all bees |
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Ajuga reptans
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Bugle. Nectar + Pollen, May – July, good ground cover. |
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Althaea officinalis
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Marshmallow. Major Pollen + some Nectar. July – September |
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Anchusa azurea
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Garden anchusa or Italian bugloss. Major Nectar, June – September |
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Anchusa officinalis
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Alkanet. Major Nectar, June – September. |
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Anemone nemorosa
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Wood anemone. Pollen, March – May |
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Arabis alpine
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Alpine rock-cress. Pollen + Nectar both major, March – May |
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Armeria maritime
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Thrift. Major Nectar, May – July. Excellent for all bees |
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Aster spp
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Michaelmas daisy. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – October. Excellent for all bees |
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Astrantia maxima, A. Major
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Masterwort. Pollen, June – August |
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Aubrieta deltoidea
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Major Nectar + Pollen, April – May |
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Campanula spp
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Bellflowers. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – September. Excellent for all bees. |
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Cardamine pratensis
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Cuckoo flower or Lady’s smock. Nectar + Pollen, April – July |
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Centaurea Montana
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Perennial cornflower. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – September. |
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Centaurea nigra
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Common knapweed. Major Nectar + Pollen, source of honey in Ireland. June – September |
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Centaurea scabiesa
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Greater knapweed. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Dandelion (Taraxacumofficinale)
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Native weed deserving a place undisturbed. Major Nectar + Pollen, March – October |
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Dictamnus albus
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Burning bush. Nectar + Pollen, May – July |
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Echinops spp
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Globe thistles. Nectar + Pollen, July – August |
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Eryngium spp
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Sea-holly. Nectar + Pollen, July – August |
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Erysimum spp
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Wallflower. Nectar + Pollen, April – June. |
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Eupatorium cannabinum
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Hemp agrimony. Nectar + Pollen, July – September |
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Helenium spp
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Sneezeweed. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – October |
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Gaillardia spp
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Blanket flower. Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Galega orientalis
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Goat’s rue. Pollen, May – August |
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Geum spp
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Avens, various species. Pollen, May – September |
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Geranium phaeum
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Dusky cranesbill. Nectar + Pollen, May – September |
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Geranium pratense
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Meadow cranesbill. Nectar + Pollen, May – September |
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Gypsophila paniculata
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Baby’s breath. Nectar, July – August |
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Helleborus spp
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Hellebore. Pollen, December – March |
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Hypericum perforatum
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St John’s Wort. Major Pollen, May – August |
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Knautia arvensis
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Field scabious. Major Nectar + Pollen, July–August |
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Leonurus cardiac
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Motherwort. Nectar, July – October |
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Lotus corniculatus
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Bird’s-foot trefoil. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – September. Excellent for all bees. |
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Lythrum salicaria
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Purple loosestrife. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Malva spp, M. Arborea
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Lavatera species and tree mallow. Major Pollen + Nectar, June – September |
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Marrubium vulgare
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White horehound. Major Nectar, June – September. Medicinal |
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Monarda punctata
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Spotted bee balm. Nectar, July – September. Medicinal producing thymol. |
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Nepeta cataria
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Native Catnip, Catmint. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Nepeta racemose, N. x faassenii
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Garden Catmints. Major Nectar + Pollen, May – September |
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Paeonia spp
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Peony, single flowered forms. Pollen, June – July |
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Papaver orientale
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Oriental poppy. Major Pollen, May – October |
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Polymonium caeruleum
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Jacob’s ladder. Major Nectar + Pollen. June – August |
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Onybrychis viciifolia
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Sainfoin. Major Nectar + Pollen, May – September. Excellent for all bees. |
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Sedum spectabile
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Stonecrop. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – September. Excellent for all bees |
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Solidago virgauea
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Goldenrod, native spp. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – October. Excellent for all bees |
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Stachys recta
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Yellow perennial woundwort. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – October. Honey crop in Europe |
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Succisa pratensis
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Devil’s bit scabious. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – August |
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Tanacetum vulgare
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Tansy. Nectar + Pollen, July – September |
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Teucrium scorodonia
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Wood Sage. Major Nectar + Pollen, July – September |
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Trifoliumrepens
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White clover. Regarded as a weed by some, this deserves to be sown with all grasses. Major Nectar + Pollen, May – October. Honey crop. Excellent for all bees |
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Verbena bonariensis and spp
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Argentinean vervain. Nectar + Pollen, July – November |
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Veronica longifolia and spp
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Veronica. Major Nectar + Pollen, March – September. Excellent for all bees |
| BIENNIALS & ANNUALS | |
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Alcea rosea
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Hollyhock. Major Pollen + some Nectar, July – September |
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Borago officinalis
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Borage. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – October. Excellent for all bees |
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Centaurea cyanus
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Cornflower. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – August. Excellent for all bees |
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Cichorium intybus
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Chicory. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – October, honey crop |
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Cosmos bipinnatus
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Cosmos. Nectar + Pollen, July – September |
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Dipsacus spp
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Tease, all species. Major Nectar + Pollen. July – August. Excellent for all bees |
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Echium vulgare
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Viper’s bugloss. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – July. Excellent for all bees |
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Erigeron spp
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Fleabane. Nectar + Pollen, July – August |
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Eschscholzia californica
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Californian poppy. Pollen, July – September |
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Fagopyrum esculentum
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Buckwheat. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – August, honey crop |
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Gaillardia pulchella
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Annual gaillardia. Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Helianthus annuus
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Sunflower. Nectar + Pollen, July –October. Excellent for all bees |
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Hesperis matronalis
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Sweet rocket. Pollen, May – July |
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Iberis umbellate
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Candytuft. Nectar + Pollen, July – August |
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Limnanthes douglasi
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Poached egg plant. Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Lobula maritime
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Sweet Alison. Nectar + Pollen, July – August |
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Melilotus officinalis, M.albus
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Melilot sweet clover, yellow clover. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Myosotis spp
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Forget-me-not. Nectar + Pollen (Pollen so minute much is drawn into bees’ honey stomach), April – September |
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Nemophila menziesii
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Baby-blue-eyes. Easily grown annual, Nectar + Pollen, June – October |
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Nigella damascene
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Love-in-a-mist. Nectar + Pollen, May – September |
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Oenothera biennis, O.glazioviana
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Evening primrose. Pollen, June – September |
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Papaver rhoeas
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Common poppy. Major Pollen, May – September |
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Perezia multiflora
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Perezia. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – July |
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Phacelia tanacetifolia
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Phacelia. Major Nectar + Pollen, April – December |
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Reseda odorata
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Mignonette. Major Nectar + Pollen, May – September |
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Salvia pratensis
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Meadow sage. Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Salvia verbanaca
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Wild sage. Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Scophularia spp
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Figwort. Nectar. June – September, excellent for all bees. |
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Trifolium dubium
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Lesser trefoil. Major Nectar, June – July |
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Verbascum olympicum
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Greek verbascum. Major Pollen, June – August |
| VEGETABLES & CULINARY HERBS | |
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Allium cepa
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Onion, left to flower. Major Nectar, June – August |
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Allium porrum
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Leek, left to flower. Major Nectar, June – August |
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Allium schonoprasum
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Chive, left to flower. Major Nectar, June – August |
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Asparagus officinalis
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Asparagus, left to flower. Major Nectar + Pollen June – August |
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Brassica spp
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Brassica species left to flower, Nectar + Pollen, April – August |
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Cucurbita pepo, C.maxima
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Marrow, courgette, pumpkin. Major Nectar + Pollen (especially large pollen grains; sought after) June – August. Excellent for all bees |
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Cynara cardunculus
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Cardoon. Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Cynara cardunculus var scolymus
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Artichokes, left to flower. Nectar + Pollen, June – September |
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Foeniculum vulgare
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Fennel. Nectar + Pollen, June – August |
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Mentha spicata
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Spearmint. Nectar + Pollen, May – October |
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Ocimum basilicum
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Basil, flowering encouraged by not picking leaves or stems. Nectar + Pollen, July – September. |
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Origanum vulgare
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Wild marjoram. Nectar, July – September |
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Phaseolus coccineus
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Runner bean. Nectar + Pollen, March – July |
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Raphanus spp
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Radish. Major Nectar + Pollen, June – July |
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Rosmarinus officinalis
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Rosemary. Nectar + Pollen, April – June |
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Salvia officinalis
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Sage. Nectar, June – August |
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Satureja Montana
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Savory, perennial. Nectar + Pollen, June – July |
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Thymus polytrichus, T.vulgaris
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Wild and garden thyme. Nectar, May – August |
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Thymus x citriodorus
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Lemon thyme. Nectar, May – August |
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Vicia faba
|
Broad bean. Major Nectar + Pollen, March – July |
| BULBS, RHIZOMES& TUBERS | |
|
Camassia spp
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C.cusikii, C.leichtlinii, C.quamash. Nectar + Pollen, April – June |
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Chionodoxa luciliae
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Glory of the snow. Nectar + Pollen, March – May |
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Crocus spp
|
Species and cultivars all provide major Pollen. February – March |
|
Dahlia spp
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Single varieties such as ‘Happy Single’ and ‘Dark Angel’ series. Nectar + Pollen, July – September |
|
Eranthis hyemalis
|
Winter aconite. Major Nectar + Pollen, January – March. Excellent to establish in vicinity of beehives. |
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Fritillaria imperialis
|
Crown imperial. Showy garden plant, major Nectar, March – May |
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Galanthus nivalis
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Snowdrop. Pollen, February – March |
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Galtonia candicans
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Summer hyacinth. Nectar + Pollen, August – September |
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Leucojum vernum
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Snowflake. Pollen, February – April |
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Polygonatum odoratum
|
Solomon’s Seal. Nectar + Pollen, May – June |
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Muscari
|
Grape hyacinth. Nectar + Pollen, March – May |