Solidago altissima Goldenrod is unique among the flowers. It gives our bees their last chance at a good winter feed. It is not only rich in nectar, but has a very high quality, protein-rich pollen. The pollen is heavy and sticky, designed for insect pollination, not wind.
Goldenrod attracts more varieties of insects than just about any other flower.
It really brings out the wasps, which may not even visit flowers until goldenrod blooms. The most amazing thing to note is that honeybees are the most frequent visitors. This spot is one of my old bee yards. I'm sure I lost swarms here, but I have not kept any hives here for 4 years. I am pretty sure there are no kept hives within range, which tells me that they are living and sustaining themselves without mite treatment.