Japanese cherry
A common ornamental cherry in towns; single-flowered forms give spring nectar and pollen, but the widespread double-flowered cultivars offer bees almost nothing.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 5-12 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Most trees planted as Japanese cherry are ornamental cultivars derived from Prunus serrulata, of East Asian origin, and closely related species. For the beekeeper the key distinction is flower structure: single forms with five petals have open nectaries and many anthers, like other cherries; in double cultivars most of the stamens have turned into petals and there is very little nectar.
Flowering
It flowers for about two weeks in April and May; double cultivars usually bloom a little later than single ones. On cool, windy spring days bee flight remains limited.
Honey and pollen
It has no honey of its own; it contributes to the spring build-up of colonies around towns.
Note for the beekeeper
Where a bee-friendly choice is wanted for street and park planting, single-flowered forms, wild cherry or mahaleb cherry should be preferred. The common pink double cultivar may look spectacular, but it is poor forage for bees.