The buckthorn is generally a special plant with many special features. The flowering of the large shrub also inspires - who and, above all, why, this article will tell you briefly and concisely.
What characterizes the blossom of the buckthorn tree?
The buckthorn blossom impresses with its greenish-white color, high nectar content and extremely long flowering period from May to August or September. It attracts bees, bumblebees and other insects and serves as an important source of food for them.
Characteristics of buckthorn flowers
Every buckthorn bears umbelliferous inflorescences, each consisting of two to ten small, relatively inconspicuous individual flowers. These individual flowers have a delicate, greenish-white color. They develop in the leaf axils, which previously resulted from the extraordinary buds.
One of the most important characteristics of buckthorn flowers is the pronounced abundance of nectar. This naturally attracts bees and other insects in droves.
Extremely long flowering period
Bees and insects not only benefit from the large amount of nectar, but also from the extreme length of the flowering period.
Note: Of all the native trees, the buckthorn blooms the longest. As a rule, the first flowers appear in May, sometimes in June. The buckthorn tree then constantly produces new flowers over many weeks. This process often continues until the end of August or even into September.
The buckthorn is an important food source for bees and countless other insects for two reasons:
- high nectar content
- extended flowering period
The blossom of the buckthorn tree at a glance
Flower size: 6 to 12 mm
Flower color: greenish-white
Flowering time: end of May (beginning/mid-June) to end of August (beginning/mid-September)
Pollination: by bees, bumblebees, parasitic wasps and beetlesSpecial features: extremely rich in nectar, important food source for insects
Tip
Due to its specific characteristics and the enormous ease of care, the buckthorn is also suitable for planting as a hedge.
