Japanese rose
A wild rose that reblooms from summer to autumn, poor in nectar but rich in pollen; invasive on North European dunes, so it should not be planted near natural areas.
- Nectar
- Low
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-2 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Japanese rose grows naturally on dunes and rocky ground along the coasts of East Asia. Its large, open, pink-purple or white flowers have almost no nectar, but their many anthers carry plenty of pollen. Honey bees and bumblebees visit the flowers in large numbers for pollen, especially in the morning.
Flowering
The main flowering starts in June and, with repeat blooming, continues until September; this long period helps fill the midsummer pollen gap. Individual flowers last one or two days.
Honey and pollen
Because its nectar is insufficient, it contributes no honey; its value lies in being a pollen source.
Note for the beekeeper
On the coasts of the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and the Baltic it is an invasive species that spreads quickly by root suckers and smothers dune vegetation. In these regions it should not be planted near natural areas. Kept under control in the garden, it is a hardy pollen plant; double cultivars are much poorer for bees.