Henbit deadnettle

Value for beekeeping

Henbit deadnettle is a small annual weed of vineyards, gardens and fields. Its value lies more in its timing than in its quantity: flowering from the mild days of late winter to the end of spring, it gives bees fresh nectar and pollen. A large share of its flowers are self-pollinating flowers that never open (cleistogamous); bees visit the pink-purple flowers that do open.

Flowering

On the southern and western coasts it flowers from February, inland from March to May; in mild autumns it can flower again.

Honey and pollen

It gives no separate honey; the nectar and pollen brought in are used up in the hive at once and support brood rearing. Because the corolla tube is long, honey bees reach only part of the nectar; bumblebees are more effective visitors.

Note for the beekeeper

Not ploughing or mowing these weeds straight away in gardens and vineyards in early spring gives colonies a small but meaningful boost during their first build-up.