Honey Bee Nectar and Pollen Plants of Vermont - Includes Sources for Propolis
Information in this worksheet can be helpful to homeowners, landowners, land managers, and consultants who wish to plant or retain species helpful to honey bees and other pollinators.It’s helpful to create or maintain a habitat with plant species that bloom from Spring through Fall to provide pollinator forage as consistently as possible throughout the growing season.Having abundant forage is critical to pollinator health. Nectar containing natural sugars is used as their energy source.
Pollen is the protein source needed to raise new pollinator babies (brood.)Aspen and Cottonwood trees (Populous spp.) are a primary source for bud resins that honey bees process into propolis used to seal cracks and holes in their hives (much like we use silicone caulk as a sealant.)Early Spring species such as Red Maple, Sugar maple, and sumac and others are critical for species emerging from winter with food stores depleted.
Spring and early summer species like dandelions, fruit trees, white clovers, alfalfas, locusts, and Basswood (Linden) give a boost to colonies that are expanding to their summer peak numbers which has strong influence on a colony being large enough to survive the winter.During the late summer and Fall honey bees (and other pollinators) rely heavily upon species such as goldenrod and aster to build up stores that will be needed for their survival through the 6-to-7-month long period in Vermont when foraging is limited or not possible due to lack of forage after first front or because it’s too cold for them to fly.
Management guidelines could include:
Pollen is the protein source needed to raise new pollinator babies (brood.)Aspen and Cottonwood trees (Populous spp.) are a primary source for bud resins that honey bees process into propolis used to seal cracks and holes in their hives (much like we use silicone caulk as a sealant.)Early Spring species such as Red Maple, Sugar maple, and sumac and others are critical for species emerging from winter with food stores depleted.
Spring and early summer species like dandelions, fruit trees, white clovers, alfalfas, locusts, and Basswood (Linden) give a boost to colonies that are expanding to their summer peak numbers which has strong influence on a colony being large enough to survive the winter.During the late summer and Fall honey bees (and other pollinators) rely heavily upon species such as goldenrod and aster to build up stores that will be needed for their survival through the 6-to-7-month long period in Vermont when foraging is limited or not possible due to lack of forage after first front or because it’s too cold for them to fly.
Management guidelines could include:
- When logging or other vegetation management is planned, retain a variety of tree species used by pollinators.
- Defer mowing lawns and fields when species like dandelions, white clover, and goldenrod are blooming.
- Plant or retain a variety of native pollinator-friendly species that bloom throughout the growing season.
- And, of course, avoid the using products containing pesticides since even sublethal exposure to pesticides can make the difference between a colony surviving through the winter or expiring.