With the increasing attention being given to specialized floral plantings tailored to target groups, such as native bees, butterflies, and garden pest predators, it’s no surprise honeybees should get their turn with honeybee pastures.
Down to (Honeybee) Basics
Texts on the history of beekeeping reflect that many plants were once marketed to, mass-planted by, and prized by beekeepers for their desirable nectar. Bees collected nectar from these plants to produce enormous quantities of honey with exceptional color, flavor, and resistance to granulation. Among these plants were white clover, hyssop, carpenter’s square (also called “Simpson’s honey plant”), fireweed, sainfoin, wingstem (occasionally termed the “golden honey plant”), and even the quite tall sourwood tree.
Providing only nectar-rich plants isn’t exactly the purpose of honeybee pastures. Though including plants that produce exceptional honey is a great idea, monocultures—though often well-intentioned in offering food—can lead to nutritional
