HoneyHQ

Whitebeam

Sorbus ariaRosaceaeTree

A chalk-country tree whose leaves unfurl brilliant silver-white in spring before darkening, carrying flat heads of cream flowers in May. It is a good spring nectar source, tolerates exposure and pollution, and is one of the better small trees for a difficult urban or chalk garden.

Value to bees

Nectar
High
Pollen
Moderate
As a honey crop
Minor honey crop — a surplus only locally or occasionally
Which bees, and why
The flat flower heads of small open flowers are among the most accessible arrangements there is, working for bees, hoverflies and beetles alike.

Flat heads of small open flowers with fully exposed nectaries.

Worth knowing
A good spring nectar source with completely accessible flowers.

Flowering

In flower
May to June (northern hemisphere)

A late-spring flow of two to three weeks.

Growing it

Conditions
Full sun on well-drained soil, and specifically at home on chalk and limestone. Tolerant of exposure, wind and urban pollution.
Size
8-15 m tall.
Native range
Europe, particularly on chalk and limestone. Widely planted as a street and park tree.
Suits
Large gardens, Small gardens, Hedgerow
  • One of the better small trees for chalk gardens and exposed sites.
  • Tolerates urban conditions well and stays a manageable size.
  • The berries feed birds through autumn — leave them.

What it looks like

A neat rounded tree with oval leaves felted brilliant white beneath, flashing silver in wind, and flat clusters of small cream flowers followed by red berries.

Sources

  • Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland — Bloomsbury (2015) · Field guide
  • HoneyHQ editorial synthesis — HEKNO Ltd · HoneyHQ synthesis

How sources are selected and weighted is set out in the sources and evidence policy.

Guides covering this plant

Tools for planning planting

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