Blackcurrant
Fruit shrub with bell-shaped April–May flowers giving moderate nectar and pollen; in many cultivars bee pollination clearly raises yield.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-2 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
🐝 Add to my apiary
Log in to add it to your apiary.Value for beekeeping
Blackcurrant is a shrub native to northern Europe and Asia whose leaves and fruit are strongly aromatic. In Europe, especially in Poland and Britain, it is grown on large areas; in Turkey it is found in gardens on cool high plateaus and in the northern regions. Honey bees can reach the nectar at the base of its bell-shaped flowers; its nectar and pollen value is moderate.
Flowering
It flowers in April–May, at the same time as redcurrant, for about two weeks. In cool, windy weather bee visits decline; at such times bumblebees are more effective pollinators.
Honey and pollen
No separate honey is produced; its nectar goes into mixed spring honey.
Note for the beekeeper
Some varieties are partly self-sterile; without bee visits part of the berries on the raceme drop. In commercial plantations, placing hives at the start of flowering increases yield. Do not spray during flowering.