Major Honey Plants In Virginia and Their Bloom Times

The following list of flowers provides a guide to some of the nectar producing plants of importance to Virginia beekeepers. The bloom times are only approximate and will vary in different areas of the state. Learning to identify the plants and knowing the time of bloom can be a help in management.

The flowers are categorized on a seasonal basis, and divided into the categories listed below. More detailed information about the different honey plants can be found by clicking on the pictures or plant names.

Early to Mid-Spring Flowers (February to early May)

Late Spring and Summer (May to August)

Fall Flowers (August to October)

Early to Mid-Spring Flowers
Plant	Bloom Time
Willow	Early to late February
Maples and other trees	Late February to April
Dandelion	March through early summer
Fruit Trees	Mid-April through early May
Redbud	Early to mid-April to early May
Wild mustards	Mid-April to Mid-May
Russian Olive	Late April to May

Late Spring and Summer Flowers
Plant	Bloom Time
Black locust	First of May for several weeks
Tulip poplar	Mid-May through early June
Bramble (blackberry, raspberry)	Mid-May through most of June
White clover	First of May to July
Red clover	Early June to July
Yellow sweet clover	End of May through June
White sweet clover	First of June to early July
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus)	Early June to July
Basswood	Second week of June to early July
Sumac	Second week of June to mid-July
Sourwood	Mid to end of June to mid-July
Milkweed	Mid-July to early August
Thistle	July to early August
Blueweed	July to early August
Knapweed	Mid-July to early September
Spanish Needle	Late July to August
Alfalfa	Mid to late summer

Fall Flowers
Plant	Bloom Time
Buckwheat	Mid to late August
Boneset	Mid-August to mid-September
Ironweed	Mid-August to mid-September
Goldenrod	Mid to late August to early October
Aster	Early September to mid-October