Fall planting may seem backwards to some people, but to intelligent gardeners, this is the time when the real magic happens. While other people rush to plant their gardens during the peak gardening season, potentially damaging their plants because of the spring heat, you can establish a pollinator powerhouse that springs into action as soon as temperatures warm.
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Check PriceNative plants are building massive root systems every fall and winter. These systems will allow for highly supportive growth in the spring that helps dozens of species of bees. The best part is that when planted in the fall, these natives are pest resistant, drought resistant, and require nearly zero maintenance once established.
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Why Does Fall Planting Create A Bee Paradise?
From early spring to late fall, native bees need reliable nectar sources. Fall planting of natives will result in larger root systems than spring plantings by 3-4 times. This will result in stronger stems and more flowers. This will also allow for extended periods of blooming which will feed bees when other food sources are scarce.
Additionally, several species of native bees spend the winter as larvae in the soil and stems. Gardens that are planted in the fall give these bees an immediate habitat and create an entire ecosystem that supports all stages of a bee's life cycle.
Purple Coneflower: An All-Year Round Magnet For Bees
This prairie powerhouse sustains bees from July until October. It then sustains birds through seed offerings all winter. Fall planted coneflowers grow roots over 10 feet deep, so they are drought proof and incredibly productive. Plant in clusters of 5-7 for the most impact.
Wild Bergamot: Nature’s Bee Balm
Wild bergamot attracts native bees like crazy! Native plants like this one, spread naturally and fill gaps in your garden and crowd out weeds. With native bee buffets, crowding out weeds. The strong scent of the leaves also keeps deer and rabbits away.
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New England Aster: The Lifesaver of the Late Season
In New England, as most flowers are beginning to fade, New England aster are blooming a profusion of purple flowers, providing a fuel stop for migrating monarchs and late season bees. New England asters are tough natives that handle poor soil and once established in the landscape, they actually prefer neglect.
Black-Eyed Susan: Always A Producer
This happy yellow plant is native to this area and blooms for several months at a time. It's great for long-tongued bumblebees but is also great for little sweat bees too! It has a deep and sturdy taproot that gets water other plants are unable to access. This characteristic assists the plant in consistent nectar production, even during dry spells. Its seeds feed goldfinches along with other songbirds.
Wild Indigo: Early Spring Emergency Bee Food
As queen bumblebees come out of hibernation, they rely on the early blooming blue flowers of wild indigo for their first meal of the season. This native plant also enriches the soil due to its nitrogen-fixing properties while adding bold 3-foot spikes to any garden design.
Goldenrod: The Most Underrated Hero
Goldenrod has unfortunately been wrongfully accused because of the confusion between goldenrod and the ragweed (which causes the real hay fever). Goldenrod is critical for native bees as it is the most vital late-season nectar source. More than 100 bee species rely on the plentiful yellow blooms of goldenrod to complete their end-of-season tasks.
Wild Lupine: Special Supporter
Most flowering plants support generalist bees, but wild lupine also supports specialist bees that exclusively depend on particular native plants. In addition to hosting specialist bees, wild lupine attracts rare blue butterflies. Wild lupine's blue flower spikes create visually spectacular displays in early summer.
Culvers Root: The Tall Drink Of Water
These tall, elegant white flower spikes provide vertical nectar sources, some that even long-tongued bees can reach, and grow to an impressive 4-6 feet. Culver's root helps to provide vital food sources to sustain bee populations during the summer nectar gap when most other plants have stopped blooming.
Strategies for Planting that will have the Greatest Impact on Bees and other Pollinators
For best results, install these natives in groups of 3-7, instead of just one or two specimens. This technique provides the mass plantings favored by native bees, and guarantees that there will be flowers in bloom for the native bee forage throughout thespring and summer. When initially installing these natives, try not to be concerned that there may be a lot of open space – they will fill-in nicely by their second growing season.
Successful fall planting hinges on planting 6 to 8 weeks before the soil freezes. This way, soil temps are warm enough to establish roots, and new top growth won’t be triggered, which would be damaged by frost.
When planting, water the area well. Add mulch around the plants to stop frost heaving. After that, you can leave them alone. These hardy native plants like it best when you don't interfere, and will give you years of dependable bee-attracting service which will make your garden the local pollinator hotspot.
