Barberry
Hedgerow shrub whose drooping yellow racemes give good nectar and pollen in late spring.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-3 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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The yellow, fragrant, drooping racemes of barberry are attractive to honey bees. Nectar collects in glands on the inner face of the petals; when the flower is touched, the stamens snap inwards and dust the bee with pollen. Both nectar and pollen are at a good level.
Flowering
From late April to early June, staying in flower for 2-3 weeks depending on altitude. It is valuable for filling the gap after the fruit trees have finished and before black locust begins.
Honey and pollen
Barberry honey is not produced commercially; it contributes to late-spring mixed honey. Pollen loads are yellowish.
Note for the beekeeper
Being thorny, it can be used as a living hedge around the apiary. Because it is the alternate host of black stem rust of wheat, planting near cereal fields is restricted in some countries; check local agricultural rules before planting.