Does Goldenrod Attract Bees? Late-Summer Survival
Yes, goldenrod attracts bees. Its bright yellow blooms provide nectar and pollen for honey bees and other pollinators at a time of year when many other food sources are beginning to disappear. Let’s take a closer look at why goldenrod is so important for bees, especially as the summer season winds down.
As a beekeeper, I’m always happy to see goldenrod blooming near my hives. It is one of several important [fall flowers for bees] that can provide valuable forage as colonies prepare for the colder months ahead.
Why Bees Like Goldenrod
In spite of the beauty of a field of goldenrod in bloom, bees are attracted to goldenrod for other reasons.
Bees like goldenrod because its flowers can provide both nectar and pollen.
For honey bees, this combination is especially valuable because nectar supplies carbohydrates – used by bees to make honey- while pollen provides protein needed for brood rearing.
Another benefit is that goldenrod often grows in thick clusters. This puts a large number of nectar-rich flowers in a smaller space.
Honey bees, bumble bees, wasps, and other insects will be seen buzzing around in the area.
Why Late-Summer Goldenrod Matters to Honey Bees
Goldenrod is a late season bloomer and this makes it a very important honey plant in some regions.
If any colonies throw a Fall swarm, a good Goldenrod flow may be their only hope for survival.
For the colony, that is going into winter with critically low food stores. The nectar and pollen – for bee bread, gathered from this native plant can be a game changer.
Personally, I enjoy having some blooming in my area. It is a more natural food source for the hive than feeding bees sugar water.
As a beekeeper prepares hives for winter, a good natural nectar flow can also reduce the need for supplemental feeding.
Goldenrod honey tends to crystallize faster than some other varieties, but that doesn’t lessen its value to the bees.
For colonies that are light on stores as the season winds down, every good source of natural forage helps.
Growing in the Landscape
There are many species of goldenrod (Solidago spp.) native to North America, varying in height, leaf shape, growing conditions and bloom time.
Identifying the specific variety in your backyard is difficult due to many similarities. It is not uncommon to find several varieties in one location.
Because of the diversity of plant types, it can have a long bloom time – from 4 – 6 weeks. This makes it a great choice to include in any bee habitat. In years with good rainfall, the nectar produced can be significant.
Best Varieties for Bees
If you do not have any goldenrod in bloom nearby, you can purchase seed and grow your own. It is a nice addition to any pollinator garden. A few varieties to consider:
- Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida)
- Showy Goldenrod (S. speciosa)
- Missouri goldenrod (S. missouriensis)
- Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
- and many others
Why Bees Sometimes Ignore the Blooms
Seeing goldenrod in bloom does not guarantee that bees will work the flowers. Some regions experience drought and periodic nectar dearths, and blooming plants may produce little or no nectar during very dry conditions.
This means that if you don’t see bees on your goldenrod, there may be little nectar available—or the bees may have found a better food source elsewhere.
When checking the goldenrod in your area, look for foraging bees from mid-day into the afternoon when conditions are favorable for nectar production.
Do Bees Make Honey from Goldenrod?
Yes. When enough goldenrod is blooming and producing nectar, honey bees can collect enough to make goldenrod honey. In some areas, goldenrod produces a significant late-season nectar flow.
Experienced beekeepers can tell when the colonies are making goldenrod honey. They can do this without seeing bees on the flowers or even opening the hive top.
How do they know? It’s the smell. Stinky honey? Why do my beehives suddenly stink?
Producing honey with goldenrod nectar creates a unique smell during the curing process. The smell can be noticeable throughout the apiary when bees are bringing in large amounts of nectar from this plant.
Some beekeepers say it smells like sweaty socks-others describe the scent as spicy! No matter what you call it – it is not a pleasant smell.
But, never fear, the resulting honey does not smell bad. However, it is dark and can be bitter.
What Does the Honey Taste Like?
Goldenrod honey tends to have a stronger flavor than many light-colored spring honeys. Its exact color and flavor vary depending on location, weather and the other flowers being visited by the bees at the same time.
Some people enjoy its rich, distinctive flavor while others prefer milder varieties. Like most types of honey, it really comes down to personal taste.
Goldenrod honey also tends to crystallize rather quickly. This is perfectly natural and does not mean the honey has spoiled. Crystallized honey can be returned to a liquid state with gentle warming if desired.
For the beekeeper, however, goldenrod honey has another important quality. Honey stored in the hive during this late-season flow can provide valuable food for the colony during winter.
Does Goldenrod Cause Fall Allergies
Considered a weed by many, this is one of those important weeds that feed bees. Because of the showy bloom, it also gets blamed for many late-season allergies.
However, the pollen of this native plant is heavy and not the cause of major allergies. The likely culprit for your sneezing and sniffles is ragweed which blooms during the same time period.
FAQs
Absolutely, bees are attracted to goldenrod blooms due to the abundant nectar and pollen it can provide. Its late bloom period makes it especially useful when many other food sources are fading
Yes. When conditions are favorable and enough plants are blooming, honey bees can collect goldenrod nectar and turn it into honey. Some colonies may store a significant amount during a strong fall nectar flow.
Goldenrod honey generally has a stronger, more distinctive flavor than mild spring honeys. Flavor and color vary according to location and other nectar sources blooming at the same time, and whether you love the taste is largely a matter of personal preference.
With many varieties to chose from, here are a few of the best to try in your bee garden – Stiff Goldenrod (S. rigida), Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) and Riddell’s Goldenrod (S. riddellii). Check with your local native plant nursery.
Many goldenrod species are vigorous growers and can spread readily in favorable conditions. If you are adding goldenrod to a small garden rather than a meadow or naturalized area, choose an appropriate native species and give it a location where its spread can be managed.
Final Thoughts
Goldenrod is much more than a splash of yellow in the fall landscape. For honey bees and other pollinators, its nectar and pollen can provide valuable food at a time when every good food source counts.
Enjoy your educational articles concerning our bees. We are in south GA but still beneficial to us.
Thank you.
Thank you for your encouraging article- I have 3 honey bee colonies and I am constantly learning about them- I have some goldenrod and it got so tall and leggy, that I wondered if it can be pruned to grow shorter and fuller?
Thank you Margie. I’m not sure about pruning, I think it would depend on the cultivar – I do know they grow some shorter varieties. I would check into those.