Giant goldenrod
Invasive late-summer plant offering abundant nectar and pollen; valuable for winter stores and raising winter bees, but its spread harms native vegetation.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Crystallisation
- Fast
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 0,5-2,5 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Native to North America, giant goldenrod forms large, dense stands in Central Europe along rivers, railway lines and on abandoned fields. In August-September, when other sources are dwindling, it offers both nectar and plenty of pollen, helping colonies raise winter bees and complete their stores. Nectar secretion is high on warm, humid, windless days and drops markedly on cool autumn mornings.
Flowering
Flowering starts in early August and lasts 6-8 weeks, until the end of September.
Honey and pollen
In countries such as Poland and Hungary goldenrod honey is harvested as a monofloral honey. It is golden yellow to amber, with a distinctive aroma and a slightly tart sweetness, and it granulates quickly. The pollen loads are bright yellow.
Note for the beekeeper
Because it granulates fast, this honey can set hard in the combs over winter; if colonies are going into winter mainly on this honey, consider topping up with syrup. The species is on the invasive list in many European countries and should not be planted deliberately.