Winter heath
Low heath from the Alps; in February–April, when little else is in flower, it gives bees nectar and pollen on mild days; common in gardens.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0.2-0.3 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Winter heath is a low, cushion-forming heath growing on calcareous rocky slopes and under pine forests in the Alps and the mountains of central Europe. In the Netherlands, Germany and neighbouring countries many varieties are planted in cemeteries, parks and gardens. Its small, bell-shaped pink, red or white flowers give bees nectar and pollen.
Flowering
Depending on the climate it stays in flower from late January to April; the peak is between February and March. Because it is one of the few sources flowering at this time, bees visit it heavily on mild days.
Honey and pollen
It is not a honey source; the nectar and pollen go straight into early brood rearing.
Note for the beekeeper
It does not grow naturally in Turkey. Around apiaries in Europe, planting it in large groups together with snowdrops and crocuses eases the late winter forage gap. It is one of the few heaths that tolerate calcareous soil.