Hundreds of native bees, birds, and themonarch butterflyrely on these food and energy sources, she adds.
Sylvia Schmeichel, lead horticulturist with Smithsonian Gardens agrees.
Fall is also “an excellent time to plant shrubs andflowering perennials, Phillips says.
Credit:Gabriela Herman
“Sow seeds directly into yourgarden bedsbefore the soil freezes to increase germination success next spring.
Keystone species are foundational to the local ecosystem, supporting scores of species.
Plants in theaster(Asteraceae)andmint(Lamiaciae)are often cited as being veryattractive to pollinators.
Credit: Carson Downing
A later sowing of these plants will encourage flowers into the fall.
She also recommends making space for a tree or two.
One native tree can provide ameadows worth of flowers!
Finding plants that evolved to support your local pollinators is key, however.
Migration and hibernation patterns are so different, points out Schmeichel.
Phillips, based in Oregon, calls out asters andgoldenrod(Solidagospp.)
), andJoe Pye Weed(Eutrochiumspp.).
Many summer-blooming annuals extend their shows well into fall.
Some that can support pollinators includebegonias,impatiens, sunflowers, and zinnias.
Among shrubs, Phillips likes purple-floweredbluebeard(Caryopteris spp.
), whose nectar can feed adult monarchs and other butterflies.
Yet even nonfruiting shrubs with dense branches provide cover and safety from predators over the winter.
Phillips suggests a maintained birdbath, circulating fountain, or butterfly puddling dish.
Many wildlife species live in or rely on the leaf layer to find food.
Don’t Over-Mulch
Phillips also recommendstaking care not to over-mulch.
