Common ivy
The year's last big source of nectar and pollen; in September-November it supports winter-bee rearing, and its honey sets very fast and hard.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Crystallisation
- Fast
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 5-20 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Common ivy is the last major source of nectar and pollen of the year. Its small, greenish flowers are gathered in round umbels, and the nectar is exposed and easy to take; on mild autumn days bees carry large amounts of pollen into the hive. Only old shoots that get light and have grown above their support flower.
Flowering
It flowers from September to November; in mild autumns it can extend into December. As other sources are scarce at this time, it is very valuable for raising winter bees.
Honey and pollen
Ivy honey crystallises very quickly and hard, often setting in the comb; its colour is whitish-cream and its taste can be slightly bitter. The pollen loads are yellow-orange.
Note for the beekeeper
Bees find it hard to use ivy honey that has set in the comb during winter; take this into account when planning winter stores. Not pruning ivy on old walls and trees before autumn is a great help to bees. The berries are poisonous to people; no such problem is known for the honey.