PLANTS FOR NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Whether you are a beekeeper or not, you can help honey bees and other pollinators by planting flowering plants around your yard or garden, especially ones that bloom at different times of the year. However, not all flowers are created equal, some produce more nectar or pollen than others. The following table was compiled from Peter Lindtner's book, Garden Plants for Honey Bees several years ago by a beekeeper here in NW Arkansas. This book grades plants based on nectar and pollen production, "0" being the worse and "5" being the best.
Each plant also has it's USDA Hardiness Zones listed. If you don't know which zone number you live in, you can find out by going to the USDA's website and entering your zip code in the search box.
- Each column is sortable in ascending or descending order.
- You can click on the plant images to see a larger image.
- You can search for specific plants, blooming months, or light needs using the search field at the top right of the table.
- To see more plants, either adjust the number of entries at the top left of the table, or click "Next" at the bottom right.
| Type | Common Name | Pollen Score | Nectar Score | Blooming Months | Height in Feet | Image | Light Needs | Botanical Name | USDA Hardiness Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Tree | Alder Buckthorn | 4 | 5 | 06-June | 10-20 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Rhamnus frangula | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Tree | Almond | 2 | 4 | 03-March | 10-15 |  | Full Sun | Prunus dulcis | 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Shrub | American Hazelnut | 4 | 0 | 02-February | 10-16 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Corylus americana | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub/Tree | American Holly | 3 | 3 | 05-May | 15-30 |   | Full Sun to Part Shade | Ilex opaca | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Apple | 3 | 3 | 05-May | 15-25 |  | Full Sun | Malus domestica | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Apricot | 3 | 2 | 04-April | 15-25 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Prunus americana | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub | "Apricot Queen" Barberry | 3 | 2 | 04-April | 3-6 |  | Full Sun | Berberis lologensis, B. x ottawensis | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Shrub | Beauty Berry | 1 | 4 | 06-June | 2-4 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Callicarpa dichotoma | 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Shrub | Beauty Bush | 3 | 2 | 05-May | 6-10 |  | Full Sun | Kolkwitzia amabilis | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Bee-Bee Tree | 5 | 5 | 07-July | 20-25 |  | Full Sun | Euodia daniellii | 9, 10, 11 |
| Tree | Black Locust | 3 | 5 | 05-May | 30-50 |  | Full Sun | Robinia pseudoacacia | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Tree | Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Pepperidge | 2 | 4 | 06-June | 30-50 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Nyssa sylvatica | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Shrub | Blackberry | 3 | 3 | 05-May | 3-5 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Rubus fruticosus | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Tree | Box Elder | 3 | 0 | 04-April | 30-50 |  | Full Sun | Acer negundo | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub | Chaste Tree | 2 | 3 | 08-August | 8-10 |  | Full Sun | Vitex agnus castus | 7, 8, 9 |
| Tree | Chinese Tulip Tree | 3 | 3 | 05-May | 50-70 |  | Full Sun | Liriodendron chinese | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub | Cotoneaster | 2 | 3 | 04-April | 2-3 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Cotoneaster horizontalis | 5, 6, 7 |
| Tree | Crabapple | 3 | 4 | 04-April | 15-20 |  | Full Sun | Malus floribunda | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Shrub | Crape Myrtle | 3 | 2 | 07-July | 2-12 |  | Full Sun | Lagerstroemia sp. | 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Tree | European Alder | 4 | 0 | 04-April | 40-60 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Alnus glutinosa | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Tree | Golden Rain Tree | 3 | 3 | 07-July | 30-40 |  | Full Sun | Koelreuteria paniculata | 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub | Gooseberry | 3 | 4 | 04-April | 3-4 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Ribes grossularia | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub | Highbush Blueberry | 3 | 3 | 05-May | 6-12 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Vaccinium corymbosum | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Honey Locust | 4 | 1 | 05-May | 60-80 |  | Full Sun | Gleditsia triacanthos | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Vine | Honey Suckle | 4 | 3 | 03-March | 15-30 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Lonicera fragrantissima, L. japonica | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Tree | Horse Chestnut | 3 | 3 | 05-May | 50-75 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Aesculus hippocastaneum | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Shrub | Inkberry | 2 | 4 | 07-July | 5-8 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Ilex glabra | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Shrub | Japanese Angelica Tree | 5 | 3 | 08-August | 12-18 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Aralia elata Variegata | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Tree | Japanese Apricot, Japanese Plum | 2 | 2 | 03-March | 15-20 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Prunus mume | 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Japanese Chestnut | 3 | 3 | 06-June | 30-40 |   | Full Sun | Castanea crenata | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Japanese Pagoda Tree | 4 | 4 | 08-August | 15-25 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Sophora japonica | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Shrub | Japanese Quince | 2 | 3 | 04-April | 2-3 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Chaenomeles japonica | 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Maackia Tree | 2 | 4 | 09-September | 20-30 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Maackia amurensis | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Shrub | Mountain Ash | 3 | 3 | 05-May | 15-30 |  | Full Sun | Sorbus americana | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Tree | Norway Maple | 2 | 3 | 04-April | 40-50 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Acer platanoides | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Tree | Ornamental Cherry | 2 | 4 | 04-April | 15-25 |  | Full Sun | Prunus 'Okame' | 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Persimmon | 1 | 3 | 06-June | 35-60 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Diospyros virginiana | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Plum | 2 | 2 | 04-April | 8-10 |  | Full Sun | Prunus domestica | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Shrub | Privet | 2 | 3 | 06-June | 10-15 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Ligustrum vulgare | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Tree | Pussy Willow, Goat Willow | 4 | 2 | 03-March | 12-25 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Salix caprea | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Shrub | Raspberry | 2 | 4 | 05-May | 3-9 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Rubus idaeus | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Red Maple | 3 | 3 | 03-March | 40-60 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Acer rubrum | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Tree | Redbud | 2 | 2 | 04-April | 20-30 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Cercis canadensis | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Perennial | Russian Sage | 2 | 3 | 08-August | 3-5 |  | Full Sun | Perovskia atriplicifolia | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Shrub | Shiny Sumac, Smooth Sumac | 2 | 5 | 08-August | 9-15 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Rhus copallina, R. glabra | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Tree | Silver Maple | 5 | 2 | 02-February | 40-80 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Acer saccharum | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub | Snowberry | 2 | 4 | 07-July | 3-6 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Symphoricarpos albus | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Tree | Sourwood | 2 | 4 | 07-July | 20-50 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Oxydendrum arboreum | 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Southern Magnolia | 2 | 3 | 07-July | 60-80 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Magnolia grandiflora | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Tree | Sweet Cherry | 3 | 4 | 04-April | 15-30 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Prunus avium | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Tree | Tree of Heaven | 3 | 3 | 06-June | 40-80 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Ailanthus altissima | 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Tree | Tulip Tree | 3 | 5 | 05-May | 60-90 |   | Full Sun | Liriodendron tulipifera | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Tree | Washington Hawthorn | 3 | 3 | 06-June | 25-30 |  | Full Sun | Crataegus phaenopyrum | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Shrub | Winterberry | 4 | 4 | 06-June | 3-12 |  | Full Sun to Part Shade | Ilex verticillata | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |