Below are abundant trees, bushes, weeds, and flowers in South Western Idaho. As a beekeeper, knowing what is within flying distance around your hives and when those start blooming is vital.
I hope this chart helps you in caring for your honey bees. If we are missing something or if something is inaccurate, please let us know so this can be an updated bloom chart for the area.
Chart Definitions
Begin Bloom Month = On average will start to bloom at some point during this month.
End Bloom Month = On average will stop blooming at some point during this month.
Nectar Source= This could be Unknown (there is no specific information on quantity), None, Low, Medium(Med.), High. Some plants provide a high amount, but due to compounds found in the plant, or the length of the honey bee’s tongue (or other factors), the amount may be less. The amount is from the reference point of the honey bee. The source amount is a combination of source quantity (how often the plant reloads, and the amount that reloads) and how quickly the honey bee can access the amount and move on to the next plant.
Pollen Source= Similar to Nectar Source, but for pollen.
Common Name(Latin name)
Begin Bloom Month
End Bloom Month
Nectar Source
Pollen Source
Image
Maple(Acer spp.)
January
May
High
Med.
Willow(Salix)
Feb.
August
High
Med.
Desert Globemallow(Sphaeralcea ambigua)
Feb.
Nov.
High
Unknown
Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale)
March
Sept.
High
High
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
May
June
Low
Unknown
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
May
June
High
Unknown
American Elm(Ulmus americana)
March
May
Low
Unknown
Apricot(Prunus armeniaca)
March
May
Low
Medium
Clover(Melilotus spp. & Trifolium spp.)
April
Sept.
High
Med.
Apple(Malus domestica)
April
May
Low
High
Peach(Prunus persica)
April
May
Low
Medium
Mustard(Brassica arvenisis)
April
May
Low
High
Alfalfa(Medicago sativa)
May
Sept.
High
Unknown
Blackberry(Rubus spp.)
May
June
High
Unknown
Raspberry(Rubus)
May
June
High
Medium
Cherry(Prunus cerasus)
May
June
High
Medium
BlueBerry(Vaccinium corymbosum)
May
June
Low
Low
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
June
July
Medium
Medium
Onion(Allium cepa)
June
August
Low
Low
Lavender(Lavandula angustifolia)
June
Sept.
Low
Unknown
Fireweed(Epilobium angustifolium)
June
Sept.
High
Unknown
Sunflower(Helianthus annuus)
July
October
Low
High
Milkweed(Asclepias)
July
August
High
Unknown
Thistle(Centaurea)
July
Sept.
Low
Unknown
Russian Sage(Salvia yangii)
July
Sept.
Low
Unknown
Goldenrod(Solidago spp.)
Sept.
October
High
Unknown
Ragweed(Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
Sept.
October
Low
Unknown
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