The following is a list of the major Michigan plants that provide nectar or pollen for honey bees. Photos can be searched by common name (e.g. apple, corn, or crocus) at https://ww3.beetography.com directly.
Zachary Huang, Michigan State University
| Common Name | Latin Name | Blooming time | Photo Link |
| Alfalfa | Medicago sativa | July-August | Photo |
| Aster | Aster spp | Most after frost | Photo |
| Basswood | Tilia spp | May to July | Photo |
| Blueberry (lowbush, high bush) | Vaccinium spp | May | highbush, lowbush |
| Bluevine | Gonolobus laevis | ||
| Buckbrush | Symporicarpos spp | ||
| Buckwheat | Fagopyrum esculentum | June-July | Photos |
| Clover, Alsike | Trifolium hybridum | Photos | |
| Clover, Crimson | Trifolium incanatum | Photos |
|
| Clover, Red | Trifolium pratense | summer | Photos |
| Clover, sweetclover | Meliotus spp | June to Sept | |
| Clover, white | Trifolium repens | all summer | Photos |
| Corn | Zea mays | July | Photos |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon | Photo | |
| Crocus | Crocus sativas | April to May | Photos |
| Cucurbits: Cantaloup | Cucumis melo | summer | Photo |
| Cucurbits: Cucumber | Cucumis spp | Photos | |
| Cucurbits :Gourds | Cucurbita spp | Photo | |
| Cucurbits: Melon | Citrullus spp | Photo | |
| Cucurbits: Pumpkin | Cucurbita spp | Photo | |
| Cucurbits: Squash | Cucurbita spp | Photo | |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum spp | March to May | Photo |
| Elm | Ulmus spp | Photo | |
| Fireweed | Epilobium angustifolium | Photo | |
| Fruit: Apple | Malus spp | May, first week | Photo |
| Fruit: Apricot | Prunus spp | Photo | |
| Fruit: Cherry | Prunus spp | Slightly before apple | Photo |
| Fruit: Peach | Prunus spp | May | Photo |
| Fruit: Pear | Pyrus spp | May, 2nd week | Photo |
| Fruit: Plum | Prunus spp | May | Photo |
| Goldenrod | Solidago spp | Sept, Oct | Photo |
| Grape | Vitis spp | May | Photo |
| Locust: Black | Robinia pseudo-acacia | June | Photo |
| Loose-strife, Purple | Lythrum spp | Photo | |
| Maple | Acer spp | April, May | Photo |
| Milkweed | Asclepias spp | Summer | swamp |
| Mint, Mountain | Pycnanthemum ? | Photo | |
| Mint, Spear | Photo | ||
| Mustard | Brassica spp | Photo | |
| Oak | Quercus spp | Photo | |
| Raspberry | Rubus spp | Summer | Photo |
| Sourwood | Oxydendrum arboreum | Photo | |
| Soybean | Glycine max | Photo | |
| Skunk cabbage | Symplocarpus foetidus | Photos | |
| Spanish-needles | Bidens bipinnata | Photo | |
| Sumac | Rhus spp | June | Photos |
| Sunflower | Helianthus spp | July | Photos |
| Thistle, Canadian | Cirsium arvense | ||
| Thistle, Star | Centaurea spp | late summer | Photo |
Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for information only. Mention of products does not indicate endorsement. Prepared by Zachary Huang, Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. email: bees@msu.edu.
url: http://bees.msu.edu/honey-plants/
Are there any plans recommended for the city? I live in Royal Oak and don’t have alot of land, but would love to plant what I can to provide bees with nutients.
Try basswood (linden trees) or black locusts.
Is there any estimations how many trees or acres of flowers required per bee family?
I would say you will need about 5 acres to support one bee colony. Just my guestimate.