Common hawthorn
A white-flowered thorny shrub of hedges and woodland edges; it gives nectar and pollen in May, but secretion depends strongly on the weather.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 2-8 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Common hawthorn is a thorny shrub or small tree that grows in hedges, along field boundaries, on pastures and at forest edges in almost every region of Turkey. Its white, five-petalled flowers open in dense clusters and, like typical rose-family flowers, have open nectar. Honey bees come for nectar and pollen, but nectar secretion is very sensitive to temperature and humidity. On warm, humid days it gives a good flow; in cool, dry weather it secretes almost nothing.
Flowering
It flowers from late April to early June depending on altitude, for about 2 weeks. It has a strong, somewhat pungent scent.
Honey and pollen
It is rarely harvested as a separate honey; it contributes to mixed spring honey.
Note for the beekeeper
It is a host of fire blight; be aware of this near pear and quince orchards. It is very well suited for planting around the apiary as a windbreak and bird-friendly hedge.