Viper's Bugloss Pollen Color, Bloom Season and Bee Forage

Visual guideViper's Bugloss pollen

Photo: Kasjanek24 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Facts

SeasonSummer

USDA Zone3 - 8

Plant TypeWildflower

ForagePollen and nectar

Pollen ValueHigh

Nectar ValueHigh

Color FamilyBlue

Scientific NameEchium vulgare

Common NamesViper's bugloss, Blueweed

Reviewed2026-10-11

Quick Answer

Viper's Bugloss pollen is shown in this guide as a blue tone. It is listed as wildflower, associated with summer bloom timing, USDA zone 3 - 8, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Viper's Bugloss is grouped broadly with blue 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

Viper's Bugloss is listed for summer. The record lists USDA zone 3 - 8; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: June, July, August, September.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as high and nectar value marked as high. Viper's bugloss can be a strong bee forage source where abundant, but local value depends on stand density, climate, and management.

Identification Notes

Viper's bugloss has bristly stems and blue funnel-shaped flowers with protruding stamens. Use the bristly habit and flower structure with pollen color.

Flower color note: Blue to purple-blue. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Oriental Poppy - Neutral and gray Red Horse Chestnut - Red and rust Joe Pye Weed - Red and rust Rosebay Willowherb - Blue Red & White Clover - Orange and amber White Horse Chestnut - Red and rust

Related by Season

Adam's Needle - Summer American Basswood - Summer Basil - Summer Bee Balm - Summer Bindweed - Summer Bird's-Foot Trefoil - Summer

Related by Plant Type

Alfalfa - Wildflower Aster - Wildflower Balsam - Wildflower Bee Balm - Wildflower Bindweed - Wildflower Bird's-Foot Trefoil - Wildflower

Related by USDA Zone

Adam's Needle - Zone 4 - 10 Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Alsike Clover - Zone 3 - 8 American Basswood - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Adam's Needle - Pollen and nectar Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Alsike Clover - Pollen and nectar American Basswood - Pollen and nectar

Sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
North Carolina State University Extension / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant identification, flower description, landscape and growing context Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Foundation contributors / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant image, image credit link