One of the most important late summer plants that are a great nectar source for bees is the Goldenrod. Before the winter, honey bees often collect large amounts of Goldenrod nectar. Other bees are using the pollen to provision late-season nests.
Goldenrod belongs to the Asteraceae family. This large plant family includes the Dandelions, Daisies, Tansy, Artichokes, Sunflowers, and over 22.000 more species. Over 100 of these species are native to North America. Although most of them are herbaceous plants, some are vines, shrubs, and trees.
For many beekeepers in the Northeast, Goldenrod is their colonies’ main winter food source. Additionally, they often report honey gains of 50 to 80 pounds per colony. There are many species of it and they cannot be so easily distinguished.
A locally adapted this plant exists anywhere you are. Although, western states lack the abundance of Goldenrod that the East has. Generally, it thrives in open areas with occasional mowing in order to remove the competition of trees and shrubs.
Goldenrod Honey
The Goldenrod honey can be pungent in its aroma, dark and thick. This is the case when Goldenrod nectar is not honey’s main ingredient. On the other hand, when we have Goldenrod nectar being the major nectar source and when bees collect it in big amounts, its honey has a golden/amber color.
Because this plant flowers in late summer, they are quite an important source of both nectar and pollen during this period. The highest amount of nectar happens in years when there is an abundance of moisture before the plant’s blooming. Additionally, even a better amount of nectar is produced when it is sunny and warm during the blooming period.
If you want to have many bees in your garden, you definitely should plant Goldenrods. They like full sun and are not picky about the soil as long as it drains freely and does not remain wet.