Most gardens start to slow down for winter, but your garden can be just hitting its wildlife stride. Adding late-season pollinator plants to your garden is a great way to support wildlife for their winter preparations.
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Check PriceWhat many gardeners don't consider is the growing critical window from September to November that is fraught with survival challenges for pollinators. During this period, the Monarch Butterfly is beginning its epic migration and needs to stock up on fuel. Also, Bumblebee queens will be wintering and need to build up reserves for hibernation. Additionally, there are late emerging native bees that will be completing their life cycles before the cold weather strikes.
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Why Nectar At The End Of The Season is Important
With the beginning of fall, natural sources of food become limited in conjunction with when the needs of pollinators are at their peak. While wild asters and goldenrod offer some support, the diversity of native plants in most urban and suburban environments is inadequate to sustain significant pollinator populations.
Studies have demonstrated that locally-sourced late-blooming gardens can enhance pollinators' overwintering survival rates by as much as 60%. Furthermore, late-blooming plants provide migrating pollinators with critical rest stops and nourishing food resources.
1. New England Aster – The Magnet For Migration
From August to October, this native perennial bursts into life with numerous small purple flowers, creating clouds of color that attract monarchs. New England aster offers high quality nectar during a time when most other nectar sources have dried up. This makes New England aster perennial especially important to the monarchs’ successful southward migration.
2. Goldenrod – Nature’s Energy Bar
Goldenrod has a bad reputation for causing allergies (which is actually caused by ragweed), but it is one of the most important late-season plants for more than 100 native bee species. It’s bright yellow flower clusters produce nectar and pollen (which is protein-rich) until the end of October.
3. Joe Pye Weed – The Butterfly Beacon
This native giant grows 6 feet tall and has large pink flower heads that draw butterflies in from far away. Joe Pye weed flowers from July to September, offering nectar during the height of the migration season.
4. Sedum 'Autumn Joy' – The Favorite of the Bees
This succulent perennial puts on its best show during fall. The pink clusters of flowers attract honeybees, native bees, and butterflies, and once established, this perennial requires virtually no maintenance.
5. Japanese Anemone – The Answer for Shade
Japanese anemones are ideal for areas with partial shade since many late bloomers have trouble with these conditions. They grow in gentle clumps and produce lovely pink and white flowers from August to October. These plants are great for attracting a wide variety of pollinators.
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6. Solidago (Species of Goldenrod) – The Native Powerhouse
Different species of goldenrod begin flowering during late summer and continue into the hard frost of winter. They are among the most important flowering plants for insects, supporting more species than almost any other genus of plants.
7. Hardy Hibiscus – The Hummingbird Hotel
The incredible size of these flowers reaching up to 10 inches allows them to bloom from mid summer until the first hard frost! Ruby-throated hummingbirds rely on these late bloomers to fuel their migration.
8. Turtlehead – \"The Specialist Supporter\"
This native wildflower has one of the most interesting flowers that is similar to a snapdragon which bloom in late summer to fall. It attracts various pollinators, but turtlehead is the only host plant for the caterpillars of the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly.
9. Ironweed – The Purple Powerhouse
Wild ironweed produces beautiful clusters of purple flowers from August to October. This tall perennial plant attracts butterflies, native bees, and beneficial insects. This plant can survive in both dry and wet conditions.
10. Fall-Blooming Crocus – The Season Extender
Crocuses get all the praise in the spring, yet autumn blooming species such as Colchicum offer essential late season nectar when the majority of flowers have withered. These bulbs effortlessly settle in and come back each year.
11. Helenium – Exploding with Color
Known as sneezeweed (but will not cause you to sneeze), helenium displays bright orange, red, or yellow daisy-like blooms from late summer to October. Its extended blooming period offers dependable nectar when many other plants are winding down.
12. Aromatic Aster – The Compact Selection
The aromatic aster provides the same pollinator advantages as the larger varieties but is better suited for compact areas. This native species produces masses of small, honey-scented white flowers.
13. Swamp Sunflower – A Wonder of Wetlands
Although they are known as swamp sunflowers, they do just as well in normal garden conditions and provide a bright yellow pop of color from September to October. As a native perennial, they can grow to a height of 8 feet and provide habitat for many beneficial insects.
14. Boltonia – The Hardy Finisher
Boltonia is a native perennial that produces masses of tiny daisy-like flowers that usually keep blooming until they are hit by hard frost. It is incredibly easy to care for and supply nectar at a time when most flowering plants have finished for the season.
Strategic Planting for Maximum Impact
To maximize visual impact and pollinator attraction, plant these species in large masses rather than as single plants. For continuous nectar availability from spring to fall, combine early, mid, and late season bloomers.
Whenever possible, select native species because of the unique nutrition needs offered by local pollinators, which native species have co-evolved with. Native plants also offer lower water and maintenance requirements after establishment, increasing their sustainability in vegetation for wildlife gardens.
For the tallest species such as Joe Pye weed and swamp sunflower, place these toward the back of the border. Place medium height plants, such as sedum and Japanese anemone, in the middle and front position shorter species like aromatic aster. This tiered approach increases habitat diversity as well as draws the eye.
There is no doubt that late blooming flowers adds more color and enhances the beauty of your yard. Even more meaningful, late season bloomers provide food for pollinators when they are most stressed. Your September garden could be the most valued wildlife refuge in the entire neighborhood.
