Ground ivy
A small purple-flowered creeper of shady grassland, hedge bottoms and gardens; it flowers in early spring and gives building colonies nectar and some pollen.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,1-0,3 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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It grows in damp, shady meadows, at the foot of hedges, along woodland edges and in gardens in Europe, northern Anatolia, the Caucasus and the temperate parts of Asia, forming large carpets with its creeping stems. Honey bees visit its small blue-purple flowers; its nectar value is moderate and its pollen contribution low. Its main importance is that it flowers very early in the season.
Flowering
It flowers from March to May, at the same time as willows and early fruit trees. Bee visits peak on sunny, mild spring days; on cool days mostly bumblebee queens come.
Honey and pollen
There is no monofloral honey; as an early spring nectar source it helps colonies expand their brood area.
Note for the beekeeper
A plant that spreads by itself and covers shady corners of the garden; leaving it in the lawn supports early spring foraging. In North America it is seen as an invasive weed; in Europe and Turkey it is native.