Wayfaring tree
Woolly-leaved shrub of dry limestone slopes; its cream umbels in April–May give moderate nectar and pollen.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 2-5 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Wayfaring tree is a shrub growing on calcareous, dry and sunny slopes, in oak scrub and at forest edges; the undersides of its leaves are covered in felt-like hairs. Unlike guelder-rose, all the flowers in its flower cluster are fertile, so its nectar and pollen value for bees is higher.
Flowering
It flowers in April–May, towards the end of fruit tree blossom, and lasts about two weeks. On dry slopes, where few other shrubs flower at this time, it gains importance.
Honey and pollen
No separate honey is produced; its nectar goes into mixed spring honey. The pollen contributes to spring build-up.
Note for the beekeeper
Because it tolerates drought and calcareous soil, it can be used for bee-friendly hedges and erosion-control plantings on poor slopes. The berries turn from red to black; eating them raw is not recommended.