Fall Pollinator Plants: Creating a Buzz Around Your Garden

The Importance of Fall Pollinators

Pollinators are essential for the growth and reproduction of many plants. As we move into the fall season, there are still plenty of pollinators buzzing around looking for sources of nectar and pollen. By planting fall pollinator plants, you can help these important creatures survive and thrive during this often-overlooked season.

Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

Before we dive into specific plant recommendations, let's talk about how to create a garden that's welcoming to pollinators. Here are some tips:

1. Provide a Variety of Flower Shapes and Colors

Different pollinators are attracted to different flower shapes and colors. For example, bees are attracted to blue, purple, and yellow flowers with flat or shallow blossoms, while butterflies prefer red, pink, and orange flowers with deep blossoms. By providing a variety of flower shapes and colors, you'll attract a wider range of pollinators.

2. Plant in Clumps

Pollinators are more likely to visit a group of flowers than a single flower by itself. Planting in clumps also makes it easier for pollinators to find the flowers they're looking for.

3. Choose Native Plants

Native plants are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, making them more resilient and less reliant on pesticides and fertilizers. They also provide food and habitat for native pollinators.

4. Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides

Pesticides and herbicides can be harmful to pollinators, so it's best to avoid them if possible. If you must use them, choose products that are labeled as safe for pollinators and apply them in the early morning or late evening when pollinators are less active.

15 Fall Pollinator Plants to Consider

Here are 15 fall pollinator plants that are sure to attract a variety of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators:

1. Aster (Aster spp.)

Asters are a classic fall flower, with daisy-like blossoms in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. They're also a favorite of many species of bees and butterflies.

2. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod gets a bad rap as a cause of fall allergies, but it's actually ragweed that's to blame. Goldenrod has bright yellow flowers that are a favorite of bees and butterflies.

3. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)

Joe-Pye weed is a tall plant with clusters of pink or white flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. It's a favorite of monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

4. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedums are succulent plants with fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. They're low-maintenance and attract a wide range of pollinators.

5. Helenium (Helenium spp.)

Heleniums have daisy-like flowers in shades of gold, orange, and red. They bloom from late summer through fall and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

6. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

New England aster is a native plant with purple or pink flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. It's a favorite of many species of bees and butterflies.

7. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

Anise hyssop has spikes of blue-purple flowers that are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The leaves have a licorice-like scent that's attractive to humans and pollinators alike.

8. Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

Ironweed has clusters of purple flowers that bloom in midsummer and continue through fall. It's a favorite of many species of bees and butterflies.

9. Michaelmas Daisy (Aster amellus)

Michaelmas daisy is a low-growing plant with pink or blue flowers that bloom from late summer through fall. It's a favorite of bees and other pollinators.

10. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian sage has silvery-gray leaves and spiky blue-purple flowers that bloom from midsummer through fall. It's a favorite of bees and butterflies.

11. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

Sneezeweed has bright yellow or orange-red flowers that bloom from midsummer through fall. It's a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

12. Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile)

Stonecrop has fleshy leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers that bloom from late summer through fall. It's a favorite of bees and butterflies.

13. Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead has pink or white flowers that look like little turtle heads. It blooms from late summer through fall and is a favorite of bees and butterflies.

14. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild bergamot has pink or lavender flowers that bloom in midsummer and continue through fall. It's a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

15. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

Zinnias have bright, bold flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow. They're easy to grow from seed and attract a wide range of pollinators.

Creating a Buzz: Pollinator-Friendly Practices

In addition to planting fall pollinator plants, there are other practices you can adopt to make your garden more pollinator-friendly:

1. Provide Water Sources

Pollinators need water, too! Set up a shallow dish or birdbath with rocks or twigs for them to perch on while they drink.

2. Leave Some Bare Ground

Many species of native bees nest in the ground, so leaving some bare ground in your garden can provide habitat for these important pollinators.

3. Provide Nesting Materials

Some species of bees and wasps use hollow plant stems or small holes in wood for nesting. You can create nesting materials by leaving some hollow stems or drilling small holes in a block of wood.

4. Provide Shelter

Pollinators need shelter from the elements and from predators. You can provide shelter by planting shrubs and trees, setting up bee houses, or leaving some leaf litter on the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Pollinator Plants

1. Are fall pollinator plants different from spring or summer pollinator plants?

Yes, many fall pollinator plants are different from spring or summer pollinator plants. Fall-blooming flowers tend to be more yellow, orange, and red, while spring and summer flowers are often pink, purple, and blue.

2. Can I plant fall pollinator plants in the spring?

Yes, you can plant fall pollinator plants in the spring. Just make sure to choose plants that will bloom later in the season, such as asters or goldenrod.

3. Do fall pollinator plants need full sun?

Many fall pollinator plants prefer full sun, but some, like turtlehead or wild bergamot, can tolerate partial shade.

4. How do I know if a plant is good for pollinators?

Look for plants that have nectar-rich flowers with easy-to-access pollen. Native plants are often the best choice, as they're adapted to your local climate and soil conditions.

5. What can I do to help pollinators during the winter?

During the winter, many pollinators hibernate or migrate to warmer climates. You can help by leaving some dead plant material in your garden, which can provide habitat for overwintering insects. You can also set up a bee hotel or butterfly house to provide shelter for these important creatures.

Fall pollinator plants are an important part of any pollinator-friendly garden. By planting a variety of flowers that bloom from late summer through fall, you can help support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators as they prepare for the winter months. Remember to provide a variety of flower shapes and colors, plant in clumps, choose native plants, and avoid pesticides and herbicides. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a buzz around your garden!