Pollinator Plants by Bloom Season
Plan for bloom from spring to frost. Columbine and golden Alexanders open the year, coreopsis and beardtongue carry early summer, bergamot, coneflower, an...
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Pollinator Plants by Bloom Season
Bees need food from the first warm days until frost. UNH Extension says a good meadow has a continuous sequence of bloom from a dozen or more native perennial wildflowers. Pick at least two plants for each season below.
These are native to much of the eastern and central US. Check your state native plant list before you buy. The Pollinator Garden Desk lets you tick plants and flags any season with nothing in bloom.
Spring
| Plant | Bloom | Sun | Soil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red columbine | April to June | Sun to part shade | Dry to medium |
| Golden Alexanders | May to June | Sun to part shade | Medium to moist |
| Wild lupine | May to June | Full sun | Dry, sandy |
Early Summer
| Plant | Bloom | Sun | Soil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanceleaf coreopsis | May to July | Full sun | Dry to medium |
| Foxglove beardtongue | June | Sun to part shade | Medium |
| Butterfly weed | June to August | Full sun | Dry |
| Black-eyed Susan | June to September | Full sun | Dry to medium |
Midsummer
| Plant | Bloom | Sun | Soil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common milkweed | June to August | Full sun | Dry to medium |
| Swamp milkweed | July to August | Full sun | Medium to wet |
| Wild bergamot | July to August | Sun to part shade | Dry to medium |
| Purple coneflower | July to August | Full sun | Medium |
| Blazing star | July to August | Full sun | Medium to moist |
| Mountain mint | July to September | Full sun | Medium to moist |
Late Summer and Fall
| Plant | Bloom | Sun | Soil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anise hyssop | July to September | Full sun | Dry to medium |
| Joe-Pye weed | July to September | Sun to part shade | Medium to moist |
| Showy goldenrod | August to October | Full sun | Dry to medium |
| New England aster | August to October | Full sun | Medium to moist |
| Smooth blue aster | August to October | Full sun | Dry to medium |
Fall bloom is easy to forget. UNH Extension notes goldenrods and asters feed bees late in the season.
For Monarchs
Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed. Add at least one:
- Butterfly weed for dry, sunny spots. Stays in a clump.
- Common milkweed where it has room. It spreads by underground runners.
- Swamp milkweed for wet spots and rain gardens.
Garden Flowers and Herbs Count Too
Zinnia, cosmos, and sunflower bloom from midsummer to frost. Chives, thyme, oregano, and mint feed bees when you let some of them flower. Save them to My Garden and the desk adds them to your bloom check.
Related
- How to plant wildflower seeds in fall
- How much wildflower seed per square foot
- Should you leave garden debris for beneficial insects
- Pollinator garden plan for a small bed
Sources: UNH Extension, Planting for Pollinators: Establishing a Wildflower Meadow from Seed; Xerces Society, Establishing Pollinator Meadows from Seed.