Crape myrtle
A nectarless ornamental that offers plenty of pollen in summer heat, supporting colonies with pollen in parks and streets from July to September.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 2-6 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Crape myrtle is an ornamental tree of East Asian origin, known for its clusters of pink, purple, red or white flowers with crinkled petals. The flowers secrete no nectar; they attract bees with pollen only. Each flower has two types of anthers: the many short yellow anthers in the centre offer feeding pollen to insects, while the long outer anthers take care of pollination.
Flowering
It stays in flower for 2-3 months, from July to September, through the hot, dry summer. Its value rises because natural pollen sources are scarce in many regions at this time.
Honey and pollen
It yields no honey. The pollen loads are yellow, and bees collect it especially in the morning.
Note for the beekeeper
In the Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara regions it is widely planted in city parks and road medians. In urban and suburban apiaries it helps fill the summer pollen gap; for nectar it should be combined with plants such as lavender, rosemary or chaste tree.