Cotoneaster
Small-flowered shrubs of gardens and mountain scrub blooming in late spring; among honey bees' favourite garden plants, with plentiful nectar.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0.3-5 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Cotoneasters form a genus of rose-family shrubs with many species. In Turkey, native species such as C. nummularius and C. integerrimus grow on rocky mountain slopes and forest edges, while Asian species such as C. horizontalis, C. dammeri and C. franchetii are common as garden and park plants. The small white or pinkish flowers attract large numbers of bees in a short time; the nectar is exposed in the flower cup.
Flowering
It flowers for 2-4 weeks between May and June, depending on the species. During flowering the density of bees on the shrub is higher than on most garden plants.
Honey and pollen
Because it grows scattered, no monofloral honey is produced; its nectar ends up in late-spring and urban mixed honey.
Note for the beekeeper
Some Asian species have been spread by birds into natural areas in Britain and northwestern Europe and are considered invasive. Where possible, choose native species for planting. It is a susceptible host of fire blight.