White dead-nettle

Value for beekeeping

It grows on nutrient-rich soils along woodland edges, at the foot of hedges and beside gardens and roads in Europe, northern Anatolia, the Caucasus and the temperate parts of Asia. The corolla tube of its flowers is about 10 mm long, so the nectar suits bumblebees better; honey bees benefit when the nectar level rises and in flowers with shorter tubes, and they also collect pollen.

Flowering

It flowers from late April to September, most profusely in spring. Plenty of moisture and mild weather increase secretion; in dry summer months flowering weakens.

Honey and pollen

There is no monofloral honey. In spring it makes a small but regular contribution to mixed spring honeys and pollen stores.

Note for the beekeeper

It is often cleared away because it is mistaken for nettles; leaving it along hedges and garden edges creates a valuable food strip for bumblebee queens and bees early in the season. It spreads by itself and needs no care.