Canada goldenrod
A North American species with yellow plumes in late summer and autumn; rich in nectar and pollen, helpful for winter bees but invasive in Europe.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Crystallisation
- Fast
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 0.5-2 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Canada goldenrod is a strong plant that gives plenty of nectar and pollen in late summer, when other sources have run out. Its broad panicles of small yellow heads secrete well on warm, humid days; secretion drops on cool nights and in drought. In North America it is one of the main autumn honey sources.
Flowering
It flowers for 6-8 weeks from August to October, thus providing food and pollen while the winter bees are being raised.
Honey and pollen
Goldenrod honey ranges in colour from golden yellow to light amber, has a distinct aroma and crystallises fairly quickly. During ripening a sharp, unpleasant smell may come from the hive; this is normal and disappears once the honey has ripened. The pollen loads are orange-yellow.
Note for the beekeeper
In Europe and in Turkey, especially in the Black Sea and Marmara regions, it is an invasive species that covers abandoned fields, riverbanks and roadsides and suppresses native species. Existing stands can be used, but it should not be sown for bees or planted in gardens.