Soapwort

Value for beekeeping

In the pink-white flowers of soapwort the nectar lies at the bottom of a long, narrow calyx tube. This structure suits long-tongued moths that fly in the evening and at night; the honey bee often cannot reach the nectar. Bees occasionally collect pollen from open flowers or use holes made by bumblebees. Its overall value is low.

Flowering

From June to September it flowers for a long time along streams, railway embankments and damp roadsides. It forms stands through its creeping rhizomes.

Honey and pollen

It makes no significant contribution to honey.

Note for the beekeeper

Because of the saponins in its roots and leaves, it was formerly used for washing wool. In ornamental gardens it is useful for butterflies, but sowing it as a bee plant is not recommended. There is no information that its nectar is harmful to bees.