Bilberry
A low shrub of cool, acid-soil forests whose small hanging bells give good spring nectar and add to forest honeys in the north.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,1-0,6 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Bilberry is a shrub that forms extensive carpets under conifer and beech forests and likes acid, moist soil. Its greenish-pink, globular, drooping flowers accumulate plenty of nectar at the base. Honey bees can work these flowers, but bumblebees are more effective pollinators. In northern and central Europe, where the forest understorey is extensive, it makes a meaningful contribution to spring forest honey.
Flowering
It flowers between April and June depending on altitude, for about 3-4 weeks. Secretion holds up well in cool, moist weather; the drooping flowers are protected from rain.
Honey and pollen
In Turkey it is not known as a monofloral honey; in the high parts of the Black Sea region it goes into mixed spring honey. Its pollen contribution is moderate.
Note for the beekeeper
Bee visits clearly increase berry size and yield. For early migration to the Black Sea mountain pastures, sites with a bilberry understorey can be preferred.