Sourwood Pollen Color, Bloom Season and Bee Forage

Visual guideSourwood pollen

Photo: Jim Conrad · Public domain

Plant Facts

SeasonSummer

USDA Zone5 - 9

Plant TypeTree

ForagePollen and nectar

Pollen ValueLow

Nectar ValueHigh

Honey TypeSourwood honey

Color FamilyOrange and amber

Scientific NameOxydendrum arboreum

Common NamesSourwood, Sorrel tree

Native RegionsEastern United States

Range StatusNative to the eastern United States, especially the Appalachian and southeastern regions.

Color ConfidenceModerate

Color MethodIndependent pollen-library and beekeeper references describe sourwood pollen as cream to white; the digital swatch is approximate.

Reviewed2026-10-11

Quick Answer

Sourwood pollen is shown in this guide as an orange and amber tone. It is listed as tree, associated with summer bloom timing, USDA zone 5 - 9, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Sourwood is grouped broadly with orange and amber pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

Sourwood is listed for summer. The record lists USDA zone 5 - 9; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: June, July, August.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as low and nectar value marked as high. Sourwood is an important regional nectar plant associated with distinctive monofloral honey, although pollen value is more modest.

Honey-type note: Sourwood honey. Use the values here as a field-guide reference rather than a local bloom guarantee.