Question
Give me 25 of the best shrubs that produce the most nectar for honeybees that can grow in zone 7-8.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
Sure! Here’s a list of 25 shrubs that produce abundant nectar for honeybees and can thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-8:
1. **Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)** - Produces flowers in spring that are highly attractive to bees and bears fruit.
2. **Blackberry (Rubus spp.)** - The flowers provide a great source of nectar, and the fruit is also edible.
3. **Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)** - Similar to blackberries, raspberry flowers attract bees and provide fruit.
4. **Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)** - With early spring flowers, they are an essential bee forage source.
5. **Wildflower Willow (Salix spp.)** - The catkins provide essential nectar for early spring bees.
6. **Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)** - The round white flower heads are particularly attractive to bees.
7. **Corylus (Hazelnut)** - Produces catkins in early spring when few other plants are in bloom.
8. **Sumac (Rhus spp.)** - Their flowers provide nectar for bees in late summer.
9. **Honeybush (Melianthus major)** - Produces clusters of sweet-smelling flowers, very appealing to bees.
10. **Spirea (Spiraea spp.)** - These shrubs bloom in various seasons, attracting bees with their abundant flowers.
11. **Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)** - The large flower clusters provide significant nectar sources in late spring.
12. **Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)** - Produces unique flowers that are very attractive to pollinators.
13. **Lonicera (Honeysuckle)** - Many varieties bloom throughout the growing season, providing nectar for bees.
14. **Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa)** - The flowers are a good nectar source and are also fragrant.
15. **Bladdernut (Staphylea spp.)** - Flowers in spring and provides nectar for bees.
16. **Currants (Ribes spp.)** - Produce flowers that bees enjoy and provide berries as well.
17. **Fothergilla (Fothergilla spp.)** - Charming white flower spikes attract bees in spring.
18. **Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)** - Particularly the hardy varieties, their large flowers are attractive to bees.
19. **Althea (Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus)** - Blooms in late summer and is attractive to honeybees.
20. **Alder (Alnus spp.)** - Catkins in spring are a food source for bees.
21. **Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)** - Produces large clusters of flowers favored by bees.
22. **Mock Orange (Philadelphus spp.)** - Has fragrant flowers that attract bees in late spring.
23. **Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp.)** - Early spring blooms are a great source of nectar.
24. **Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.)** - Flowers attract bees, and the berries provide food for wildlife.
25. **Weigela (Weigela spp.)** - Showy flowers provide nectar throughout the growing season.
When planting these shrubs, consider spacing and location to enhance pollinator accessibility. By providing a mix of flowers that bloom at different times, you can create a continuous nectar source for honeybees and other pollinators throughout the growing season.
1. **Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)** - Produces flowers in spring that are highly attractive to bees and bears fruit.
2. **Blackberry (Rubus spp.)** - The flowers provide a great source of nectar, and the fruit is also edible.
3. **Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)** - Similar to blackberries, raspberry flowers attract bees and provide fruit.
4. **Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)** - With early spring flowers, they are an essential bee forage source.
5. **Wildflower Willow (Salix spp.)** - The catkins provide essential nectar for early spring bees.
6. **Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)** - The round white flower heads are particularly attractive to bees.
7. **Corylus (Hazelnut)** - Produces catkins in early spring when few other plants are in bloom.
8. **Sumac (Rhus spp.)** - Their flowers provide nectar for bees in late summer.
9. **Honeybush (Melianthus major)** - Produces clusters of sweet-smelling flowers, very appealing to bees.
10. **Spirea (Spiraea spp.)** - These shrubs bloom in various seasons, attracting bees with their abundant flowers.
11. **Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)** - The large flower clusters provide significant nectar sources in late spring.
12. **Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)** - Produces unique flowers that are very attractive to pollinators.
13. **Lonicera (Honeysuckle)** - Many varieties bloom throughout the growing season, providing nectar for bees.
14. **Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa)** - The flowers are a good nectar source and are also fragrant.
15. **Bladdernut (Staphylea spp.)** - Flowers in spring and provides nectar for bees.
16. **Currants (Ribes spp.)** - Produce flowers that bees enjoy and provide berries as well.
17. **Fothergilla (Fothergilla spp.)** - Charming white flower spikes attract bees in spring.
18. **Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)** - Particularly the hardy varieties, their large flowers are attractive to bees.
19. **Althea (Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus)** - Blooms in late summer and is attractive to honeybees.
20. **Alder (Alnus spp.)** - Catkins in spring are a food source for bees.
21. **Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)** - Produces large clusters of flowers favored by bees.
22. **Mock Orange (Philadelphus spp.)** - Has fragrant flowers that attract bees in late spring.
23. **Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp.)** - Early spring blooms are a great source of nectar.
24. **Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.)** - Flowers attract bees, and the berries provide food for wildlife.
25. **Weigela (Weigela spp.)** - Showy flowers provide nectar throughout the growing season.
When planting these shrubs, consider spacing and location to enhance pollinator accessibility. By providing a mix of flowers that bloom at different times, you can create a continuous nectar source for honeybees and other pollinators throughout the growing season.