In nature, there are plants blooming all season to provide plenty of food for diverse pollinator species. On the other hand, in many yards and gardens there are times of the year when there are very few plants blooming. In the average landscape there are many spring blooming plants and not as many summer or fall blooming plants. In the spring, many people visit the garden center and pick out beautiful flowering plants! During the transition to summer and into the fall there may not be as many plants blooming in the garden. Having plants blooming in your garden from early spring to late fall will benefit pollinators as they forage for nectar and pollen.
Some plant species bloom for several months of the year while others might only last a few days or weeks. By planting an array of many different species with varying bloom times, you can ensure there are plenty of flowering plants all season long. Get to know the pollinators in your area so you can better provide the food source they need when they need it. Especially migrating butterflies, like monarchs! Use this list of Spring, Summer, and Fall blooming plants as a guide to get started on providing flowering plants all season!
Spring
Crocus (Crocus)
Golden alexander (Zizia aurea)
Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Violets (Viola sp.)
Lupine (Lupinus sp.)
Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Shrubs and trees
Shadbush (Amelanchier)
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum or V. angustifolium)
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
Summer
Perennials
Yarrow - (Achillea millefolium)
Milkweed (Asclepias)
Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild indigo (Baptisia australis)
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum verticillatum)
Ox-Eye Daisy - (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Shrubs and trees
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Fall
Perennials
Goldenrod (Solidago)
Blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
Sunflower (Helianthus)
Joe pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana)
Trees and shrubs
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
See this selection of perennials with a long bloom time for multiseason flowering. Don’t forget to choose plants in a variety of colors and shapes as well! As always, choose plants that suit the conditions in your yard or garden! Bloom times will vary based on geography and weather patterns.
