Did you know that Aronia is self-pollinating? That means its flowers use their own pollen to reproduce, and don’t have to rely on assistance from bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to produce fruit. Apomictic (self-pollinating) plants maintain the same genetic characteristics indefinitely, which is an advantage when a specific plant is well suited to its environment. It also results in a 100% chance of pollination, and very little waste of pollen granules.
The flowers of the Aronia plant are small and unassuming, with five petals that can range in color from white to pink. They grow in clusters on the ends of branches, and blooming typically occurs in late spring or early summer. The blossoms of the Aronia plant do not need to be flashily brightly colored or have a strong scent because they do not need to attract pollinators.
Aronia may not rely on bees to pollinate, but the presence of Aronia is vital to the bee population. Aronia bushes can provide an important food source for bees and other pollinators during a time when there might not be many other options available. So even though Aronia doesn’t need bees, bees still need Aronia!
If you’re looking to do your part in saving the bees, consider growing Aronia, or visit savethebees.com for helpful resources and places to donate.
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