Tatarian honeysuckle

Value for beekeeping

Tatarian honeysuckle is an upright shrub of steppe and woodland edges from southern Russia to Central Asia; because it is so hardy it is widely planted in parks and windbreaks. Its flower tube is short, so unlike the climbing honeysuckles, honey bees reach the nectar easily. Russian and Eastern European beekeeping sources list it as a nectar and pollen shrub that supports colony build-up in late spring.

Flowering

It flowers for a few weeks in May and June, shortly after the leaves unfold. The flowers are white, pink or deep pink and sit in pairs in the leaf axils.

Honey and pollen

It gives both nectar and pollen; it is not harvested as a separate honey and ends up in mixed spring honeys.

Note for the beekeeper

The red berries are not edible. Being cold- and drought-tolerant, it can be planted as a hedge around the apiary in inland areas with a continental climate. In North America it is an invasive species that spreads into natural forests; in Europe too it naturalises here and there, so if planted, its spread should be monitored.