Selecting
Plants
for
Pollinators
A Regional Guide for Farmers, Land Managers, and Gardeners In the
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province
Including the states of:
Louisiana, North Carolina,
South Carolina
And parts of
Alabama, Maryland, and Mississippi, Texas, NAPPC and Virginia Table of CONTENTS
Why Support Pollinators? 4
Getting Started 5
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 6
Meet the Pollinators 8
Plant Traits 10
Developing Plantings 12
Far ms 13
Public Lands 14
Home Landscapes 15
Bloom Periods 16
Plants That Attract Pollinators 18
Habitat Hints 20
This is one of several guides for Check list 22 different regions in the United States. We welcome your feedback to assist us in making the future Resources and Feedback 23 guides useful. Please contact us at [email protected]
2 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Selecting Plants for Pollinators
A Regional Guide for
Farmers, Land Managers,
and Gardeners
In the
Ecological Region of the
Outer Coastal Plain
Mixed Province
Including the states of:
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
North Carolina, South Carolina
And parts of
Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, Texas,
and Virginia
a NAPPC and Pollinator Partnership™ Publication
This guide was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the C.S. Fund, the Plant Conservation Alliance, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management with oversight by the Pollinator Partnership™ (www.pollinator.org), in support of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC–www.nappc.org).
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 3 Why support pollinators?
In their 1996 book, The Forgotten Pollinators, Buchmann and Nabhan estimated that animal pollinators are needed for the reproduction “ Farming feeds of 90% of flowering plants and one third of human food crops. Each of us depends on these industrious pollinators in a practical way to provide us with the wide range of foods we eat. In addition, pollinators are part of the the world, and intricate web that supports the biological diversity in natural ecosystems that helps sustain our quality of life.
Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can improve fruit set we must remember and quality, and increase fruit size. In farming situations this increases production per acre. In the wild, biodiversity increases and wildlife food sources increase. that pollinators
Apples, tomatoes, citrus, melons, and strawberries are some of the crops raised in the Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province that rely on honey bees and native bees for pollination. Domestic honey bees pollinate are a critical approximately $10 billion worth of crops in the U.S. each year.
Unfortunately, the numbers of both native pollinators and domesticated link in our food bee populations are declining. They are threatened by habitat loss, disease, and the excessive and inappropriate use of pesticides. The loss of commercial bees to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has highlighted how severe the issues of proper hive management are to reduce stresses caused systems.” by disease, pesticide use, insufficient nutrition, and transportation practices. -- Paul Growald, Currently, the pollination services that the commercial beekeeping industry Co-Founder, provides are receiving much needed research and conservation resources. The efforts to understand the threats to commercial bees should help us Pollinator partnership understand other pollinators and their roles in the environment as well.
It is imperative that we take immediate steps to help pollinator populations thrive. The beauty of the situation is that by supporting pollinators’ need for habitat, we support our own needs for food and support diversity in the natural world.
Thank you for taking time to consult this guide. By adding plants to your landscape that provide food and shelter for pollinators throughout their active seasons and by adopting pollinator friendly landscape practices, you can make a difference to both the pollinators and the people that rely on them.
Laurie Davies Adams Executive Director Pollinator Partnership
4 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Getting Started
This regional guide is just one created as a management tool species include evergreen oaks and in a series of plant selection tools and is used to predict responses members of the laurel and magnolia designed to provide information to land management practices families. Tree trunks are often on how individuals can influence throughout large areas. This guide covered in moss at higher elevations, pollinator populations through addresses pollinator-friendly land and a well-developed lower layer choices they make when they farm management practices in what is of vegetation, including tree ferns, a plot of ground, manage large known as the Outer Coastal Plain shrubs, and herbaceous plants is tracts of public land, or plant a Mixed Province. often present. garden. Each of us can have a Portions of eleven states make Long before there were homes positive impact by providing the up the 173,800 square miles of and farms in this area, the original, essential habitat requirements for this generally flat province with natural vegetation provided pollinators including food, water, elevations ranging from sea level to continuous cover and adjacent shelter, and enough space to allow around 300 feet. The topography is feeding opportunities for wildlife, pollinators to raise their young. primarily gently sloping and made including pollinators. In choosing Pollinators travel through the up of many slowly moving streams, plants, aim to create habitat for landscape without regard to lakes, marshes, and swamps. pollinators that allow adequate food property ownership or state Average annual temperatures are shelter, and water sources. Most boundaries. We’ve chosen to use mild, ranging from 60° to 70°F. pollinators have very small home R.G. Bailey’s classification system This moist, green province is ranges. You can make a difference to identify the geographic focus characterized by rainfall throughout by understanding the vegetation of this guide and to underscore the year, between 40 to 60 inches patterns of the farm, forest, or the connections between climate annually, creating in many areas neighbor’s yard adjacent to you and vegetation types that affect what is known as a temperate and by making planting choices the diversity of pollinators in the rainforest. This type of rainforest that support the pollinators’ need environment. has fewer species of vegetation for food and shelter as they move Bailey’s Ecoregions of the United than its tropical counterpart and through the landscape. States, developed by the United therefore has larger populations States Forest Service, is a system of individual species. Common
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 5 Understanding the outer coastal plain mixed Province
n This region is designated number 232 in the Baileys’ Ecosystem Provinces. To see a map of the provinces go to: www.fs.fed.us/colorimagemap/ecoreg1_provinces.html
n Not sure about which bioregion you live or work in? Go to www.pollinator.org and click on Ecoregion Locator for help.
n 173,800 square miles within 11 states.
n Primarily flat or gently sloping and characterized by marshes, swamps, lakes, and slow-moving streams.
n Elevations ranging from sea level to around 300 feet.
n Average annual temperature range from 60° to 70°F.
n Average year-round precipitation between 40-60 inches.
n USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-9b (1990 version).
Characteristics
n Dominated by evergreen oaks, laurels, magnolias.
n Usually a well-developed lower layer of growth including tree ferns, small palms, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, including many lianas and epiphytes.
n Trees are often covered in moss at higher elevations where there are clouds and fog.
n Gum and cypress are abundant along the Atlantic Coast.
n Subclimax pine forests dominate upland areas, and usually have an understory of grasses and sedges called savannas.
6 Selecting Plants for Pollinators The Outer Coastal Plain “ Adding native plantings in riparian areas Mixed Province to improve pollinator habitat makes includes the states of: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, sense in advancing our family farm’s
Louisiana, North Carolina, conservation and economic objectives, South Carolina enhancing beneficial wildlife and
And parts of: improving pollination in our orchard Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, and garden.” Texas, and Virginia --Lee McDaniel, Farmer and President, National Association of Conservation Districts
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 7 Meet the Pollinators
Who are the underground. Various species are solitary while others form loose pollinators? colonies. Solitary bees include carpenter bees Bees (Xylocopa spp.), which nest in wood; Bees are well documented digger, or polyester bees (Colletes pollinators in the natural and spp.), which nest underground; agricultural systems of the Outer leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), Coastal Plain Mixed Province which prefer dead trees or branches Province. A wide range of crops for their nest sites; and mason bees including apples, citrus, melons, (Osmia spp.), which utilize cavities strawberries, and tomatoes are just that they find in stems and dead a few plants that benefit from bee wood. Cactus bees (Diadasia spp.) pollinators. are also solitary ground nesters. Most of us are familiar with the colonies of honey bees that have Butter fl ies been the workhorses of agricultural Gardeners have been attracting pollination for years in the United Photos courtesy www.dangphoto.net courtesy Photos butterflies to their gardens for States. They were imported from some time. These insects tend to Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on Purple Europe almost 400 years ago. be eye-catching, as are the flowers Hollyhock, (above), and a honey bee that attract them. Position flowering on a large holly bush in the Atlanta, There are nearly 4000 species of Georgia area. native ground and twig nesting bees plants where they have full sun and in the U.S. Some form colonies are protected from the wind. Also, while others live and work a solitary you will need to provide open areas life. Native bees currently pollinate (e.g. bare earth, large stones) where many crops and can be encouraged butterflies may bask, and moist soil to do more to support agricultural from which they may get needed endeavors if their needs for nesting minerals. By providing a safe place habitat are met and if suitable to eat and nest, gardeners can also sources of nectar, pollen, and water support the pollination role that are provided. Bees have tongues of butterflies play in the landscape. It varying lengths that help determine might mean accepting slight damage which flowers they can obtain nectar to the plants, known as host plants, and pollen from. that provide food for the larval stage of the butterfly. The bumble bee (Bombus spp.) forms small colonies, usually A diverse group of butterflies underground. They are generalists, are present in garden areas and feeding on a wide range of woodland edges that provide bright plant material from February flowers, water sources, and specific to November and are important host plants. Numerous trees, shrubs, pollinators of tomatoes. The and herbaceous plants support sweat bee (family Halictidae) nests butterfly populations.
8 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Butterflies are in the Order to their gardens, possibly because goldenrod (Solidago spp.), and Lepidoptera. Some of the species beetle watching isn’t as inspiring members of the carrot family like in the Outer Coastal Plain Mixed as butterfly or bird watching. Yet Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota). Province are Brush-footed, beetles do play a role in pollination. Gossamer-winged, Swallowtail, Some have a bad reputation Bir ds Parnassian, Skipper, White, because they can leave a mess Hummingbirds are the primary Sulphur and Milkweed butterflies. behind, damaging plant parts that birds which play a role in They usually look for flowers that they eat. Beetles are not as efficient pollination in North America. provide a good landing platform. as some pollinators. They wander Their long beaks and tongues draw between different species, often Wet mud areas provide butterflies nectar from tubular flowers. Pollen dropping pollen as they go. with both the moisture and is carried on both the beaks and Beetle pollinated plants tend to be minerals they need to stay healthy. feathers of different hummingbirds. large, strong scented flowers with Butterflies eat rotten fruit and even The regions closer to the tropics, their sexual organs exposed. They dung, so don’t clean up all the with warmer climates, boast the are known to pollinate Magnolia, messes in your garden! largest number of hummingbird sweetshrub (Calycanthus), paw species and the greatest number of paws, and yellow pond lilies. Moths native plants to support the bird’s need for food. White-winged doves Moths are most easily distinguished Flies (Zenaida asiatica) are also pollinators from butterflies by their antennae. It may be hard to imagine why one of the saguaro cactus (Carnegeia Butterfly antennae are simple with a would want to attract flies to the gigantea) in the south central United swelling at the end. Moth antennae garden. However, like beetles, the States. differ from simple to featherlike, number of fly species and the fact but never have a swelling at the Bright colored tubular flowers that flies are generalist pollinators tip. In addition, butterflies typically attract hummingbirds to gardens (visit many species of plants), are active during the day; moths at throughout the United States. should encourage us all to leave night. Butterfly bodies are not very Hummingbirds can see the color those flies alone and let them do hairy, while moth bodies are quite red; bees cannot. Many tropical their job as pollinators. hairy and more stout. flowers, grown as perennials in Recent research indicates that flies the Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Moths, generally less colorful primarily pollinate small flowers Province, along with native than butterflies, also play a role that bloom under shade and in woodland edge plants, attract in pollination. They are attracted seasonally moist habitats. The hummingbirds. to flowers that are strongly sweet National Research Council’s Status smelling, open in late afternoon or of Pollinators in North America study night, and are typically white or Bats states that flies are economically pale colored. Though bats in the Outer Coastal important as pollinators for a range Plain Mixed Province are not of annual and bulbous ornamental pollinators, bats play an important flowers. Beetles role in pollination in the southwest Over 30,000 species of beetles Plants pollinated by the fly where they feed on agave and are found in the United States include the American pawpaw cactus. The long-nosed bats’ head and many of them can be found (Asimina triloba), dead horse arum shape and long tongue allows it on flower heads. Gardeners have (Helicodiceros muscivorus), skunk to delve into flower blossoms and yet to intentionally draw beetles cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), extract both pollen and nectar.
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 9 Plant Traits and the Pollinators they Attract Pollinator Which Flowers Plant D o th e Trait Bats Bees Beetles Birds Butterflies Flies Moths Wind Pollinators Pale and dull to Dull green, brown, or pr e f e r ? Bright white, Scarlet, orange, Dull white, green Dull white or Bright, including dark brown or purple; Pale and dull red, colorless; yellow, red Not all pollinators are found Color or purple green red and purple flecked with translucent purple, pink or white petals absent blue, or UV or white in each North American province, patches or reduced and some are more important in different parts of the United States. Use this page as a resource to understand the plants and Nectar Absent Present Absent Absent Present Absent Absent Absent pollinators where you live. guides
Plants can be grouped together Strong musty; Fresh, mild, None to strongly Strong sweet; based on the similar characteristics None Faint but fresh Putrid None of their flowers. These floral Odor emitted at night pleasant fruity or fetid emitted at night characteristics can be useful to predict the type of pollination method or animal that is most Abundant; Sometimes Ample; deeply Ample; deeply Ample; deeply effective for that group of plants. somewhat Usually present present; Usually absent None This association between floral Nectar hidden hidden hidden characteristics and pollination hidden not hidden method is called a pollination syndrome. Limited; often Abundant; small, Ample sticky Ample Modest Limited Modest in amount Limited The interactions of animal Pollen smooth, and not sticky pollinators and plants have and scented influenced the evolution of both groups of organisms. A mutualistic relationship between the pollinator Regular; bowl Shallow; have Large funnel Narrow tube with and the plant species helps the Large bowl-like, Shallow; funnel like or Regular; tubular Regular; small and Flower shaped – closed landing platform; like; cups, strong spur; wide pollinator find necessary pollen and Magnolia complex and trap-like without a lip stigmas exerted nectar sources and helps the plant Shape during day tubular perch support landing pad reproduce by ensuring that pollen is carried from one flower to another.
This chart and more information on pollinator syndromes can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/syndromes.shtml
10 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Plant Traits and the Pollinators they Attract Plant Pollinator Trait Bats Bees Beetles Birds Butterflies Flies Moths Wind
Pale and dull to Dull green, brown, or Bright white, Scarlet, orange, Dull white, green Dull white or Bright, including dark brown or purple; Pale and dull red, colorless; yellow, red Color or purple green red and purple flecked with translucent purple, pink or white petals absent blue, or UV or white patches or reduced
Nectar Absent Present Absent Absent Present Absent Absent Absent guides
Strong musty; Fresh, mild, None to strongly Strong sweet; None Faint but fresh Putrid None Odor emitted at night pleasant fruity or fetid emitted at night
Abundant; Sometimes Ample; deeply Ample; deeply Ample; deeply somewhat Usually present present; Usually absent None Nectar hidden hidden hidden hidden not hidden
Limited; often Abundant; small, Ample sticky Ample Modest Limited Modest in amount Limited Pollen smooth, and not sticky and scented
Regular; bowl Shallow; have Large funnel Narrow tube with Large bowl-like, Shallow; funnel like or Regular; tubular Regular; small and Flower shaped – closed landing platform; like; cups, strong spur; wide Magnolia complex and trap-like without a lip stigmas exerted Shape during day tubular perch support landing pad
This chart and more information on pollinator syndromes can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/syndromes.shtml
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 11 Developing landscape plantings that provide pollinator habitat
Whether you are a farmer not native, are very good for by butterflies during their larval of many acres, land manager of a pollinators. Mint, oregano, garlic, development. large tract of land, or a gardener chives, parsley and lavender are with a small lot, you can increase just a few herbs that can be planted. Water : the number of pollinators in your Old fashioned zinnias, cosmos, and A clean, reliable source of water is area by making conscious choices to single sunflowers support bees and essential to pollinators. include plants that provide essential butterflies. • Natural and human-made water habitat for bees, butterflies, moths, • Recognize weeds that might be a features such as running water, beetles, hummingbirds and other good source of food. For example, pools, ponds, and small containers pollinators. dandelions provide nectar in the of water provide drinking and early spring before other flowers bathing opportunities for pollinators. Food: open. Plantain is alternate host for • Ensure the water sources have the Baltimore Checkerspot. Flowers provide nectar (high in a shallow or sloping side so the • Learn and utilize Integrated Pest sugar and necessary amino acids) pollinators can easily approach the Management (IPM) practices to and pollen (high in protein) to water without drowning. address pest concerns. Minimize or pollinators. eliminate the use of pesticides. Fermenting fallen fruits also provide Your current landscape probably food for bees, beetles and butterflies. includes many of these elements. Specific plants, known as host Observe wildlife activity in your farm plants, are eaten by the larvae of Shelter : fields, woodlands, and gardens to pollinators such as butterflies. Pollinators need protection from determine what actions you can take • Plant in groups to increase severe weather and from predators to encourage other pollinators to feed pollination efficiency. If a pollinator as well as sites for nesting and and nest. Evaluate the placement of can visit the same type of flower roosting. individual plants and water sources over and over, it doesn’t have to • Incorporate different canopy and use your knowledge of specific relearn how to enter the flower layers in the landscape by planting pollinator needs to guide your choice and can transfer pollen to the same trees, shrubs, and different-sized and placement of additional plants species, instead of squandering the perennial plants. and other habitat elements. Minor pollen on unreceptive flowers. • Leave dead snags for nesting sites changes by many individuals can • Plant with bloom season in mind, of bees, and other dead plants and positively impact the pollinator providing food from early spring to leaf litter for shelter. populations in your area. Watch late fall. (see Bloom Periods pp. 16-17) • Build bee boxes to encourage for - and enjoy - the changes in your • Plant a diversity of plants to solitary, non-aggressive bees to nest landscape! support a variety of pollinators. on your property. Flowers of different color, • Leave some areas of soil uncovered • CAUTION: Remember that fragrance, and season of bloom to provide ground nesting insects pesticides are largely toxic to on plants of different heights will easy access to underground tunnels. pollinators. Extreme caution is attract different pollinator species • Group plantings so that pollinators warranted if you choose to use and provide pollen and nectar can move safely through the any pesticide. Strategically apply throughout the seasons. landscape protected from predators. pesticides only for problematic • Many herbs and annuals, although • Include plants that are needed target species.
12 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Far ms
Tomatoes, citrus, melons, apples and weeds can provide needed food for strawberries are a few of the food pollinators. “ food supplies for crops in the Outer Coastal Plain • Minimize tillage to protect ground Mixed Province that will benefit nesting pollinators. from strong native bee populations • Ensure water sources are scattered bees are critical that boost pollination efficiency. throughout the landscape. Incorporate different plants • Choose a variety of native plants to throughout the farm that provide act as windbreaks, riparian buffers, food for native populations when and field borders throughout the to maintaining targeted crops are not in flower. farm. • Plant unused areas of the farm Farmers have many opportunities with temporary cover crops that strong hives to incorporate pollinator-friendly can provide food or with a variety land management practices on their of trees, shrubs, and flowers that land which will benefit the farmer provide both food and shelter for for almond in achieving his or her production pollinators. goals: • Check with your local Natural • Manage the use of pesticides Resources Conservation Service to reduce the impact on native (NRCS) office to see what technical pollination pollinators. Spray when bees aren’t and financial support might be active (just after dawn) and choose available to assist you in your effort to targeted ingredients. provide nectar, pollen, and larval food the following • Carefully consider the use of sources for pollinators on your farm. herbicides. Perhaps the targeted winter .” -- Dan Cummings, Chico, California almond grower. Illustrations by Carolyn Vibbert Carolyn by Illustrations
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 13 Public Lands
“ From
hummingbirds
to beetles, to
butterfl ies,
nature’s
pollinators help
keep Midewin’s
Tallgrass prairie Public lands are maintained for In an effort to increase populations restorations specific reasons ranging from high of pollinators the land manager can: impact recreation to conservation. • Inventory and become full of diverse In the Outer Coastal Plain Mixed knowledgeable of local pollinators. Province, natural areas have been • Provide connectivity between altered to allow for roads, buildings, vegetation areas by creating fl owering open lawn areas, boat ramps, and corridors of perennials, shrubs, and vistas. Less disturbed natural areas trees that provide pollinators shelter plants. Insect can be augmented with plantings and food as they move through the of native plant species. Existing landscape. monitoring plantings around buildings and • Maintain a minimum of lawn areas parking areas should be evaluated that support recreational needs. provides a key to determine if pollinator-friendly • Restrict the use of pesticides and plants can be substituted or added herbicides. to attract and support pollinators. • Provide water sources in large measure of our Public land managers have a unique open areas. opportunity to use their plantings • Maintain natural meadows and success.” as an education tool to help others openings that provide habitats for understand the importance of sun-loving wildflowers and grasses. -- Logan Lee pollinators in the environment • Remove invasive species and Prairie Supervisor, Midewin through signs, brochures, and public encroaching shrubs and trees. National Tallgrass Prairie programs.
14 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Home Landscapes
Gardeners have a wide array of The scale of your plantings will vary “ A garden is plants to use in their gardens. but it is important to remember Native plants, plants introduced that you are trying to provide only as rich and from years of plant exploration connectivity to the landscape from around the world, and plants adjacent to your property. Don’t beautiful as the developed by professional and just look within your property amateur breeders can be found in boundaries. If your neighbor’s integral health garden centers, in catalogs, and property provides an essential on web-sites. Use your knowledge element, such as water, which can of pollinator needs to guide your be utilized by pollinators visiting of the system; choices. your land, you may be able to • Choose a variety of plants that devote more space to habitat pollinators will provide nectar and pollen elements that are missing nearby. throughout the growing season. It is best to use native plants which are essential to • Resist the urge to have a totally have evolved to support the needs manicured lawn and garden. Leave of specific native pollinators. Some the system - make bare ground for ground nesting pollinators, however, are generalists bees. Leave areas of dead wood and and visit many different plants, both your home their leaf litter for other insects. native and non-native. Be sure that • Strive to eliminate the use of all any non-native plants you choose home. pesticides. to use are not invasive. Remember ” • Find local resources to help you that specialized cultivars sometimes -- Derry MacBride in your efforts. Contact your local aren’t used by pollinators. Flowers National Affairs and county extension agent or native that have been drastically altered, legislation Chairwoman, plant society. Visit your regional such as those that are double or botanic gardens and arboreta. a completely different color than garden club of America the wild species, often prevent pollinators from finding and feeding on the flowers. In addition, some altered plants don’t contain the same nectar and pollen resources that attract pollinators to the wild types.
• CAUTION: Take time to evaluate the source of your plant material. You want to ensure you get plants that are healthy and correctly identified. Your local native plant society can help you make informed decisions when searching for plants.
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 15 BLOOM PERIODS F OR TH E Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province The following chart lists plants and the time they are in bloom throughout the growing seasons. Choose a variety of flower colors and make sure something is blooming at all times! Note for all charts: When more than one species of the same genus is useful, the genus name is followed by “spp.” Botanical Common Name Name March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Trees & Shrubs Agarista populifolia Florida Leucothoe white May-June white white
Aesculus parviflora Bottlebrush Buckeye white July-August white white
red, reddish- red, reddish- red, reddish- Aesculus pavia Red Buckeye April-May yellow yellow yellow
Aronia arbutifolia Red Chokeberry white March-May white white white
reddish- reddish- Asimina parviflora Small-fruited Pawpaw reddish-maroon April-May maroon maroon
Baccharis halimifolia Groundsel Bush white Sept-Oct white white
lavander, lavander, Callicarpa americana American Beautyberry lavander, pink June-July pink pink
Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush white July white
Cliftonia monophylla Black Ti-ti white or pink March-April white or pink white or pink
Clinopodium georgianum Georgia Savory light pink July-Sept light pink light pink light pink
Clinopdium coccineum Red Savory red July-Sept red red red
Crataegus aestivalis Mayhaw white March-April white white
Cyrilla racemiflora Ti-ti, Leatherwood white May-July white white white
Erythrina herbacea Coral Bean red May-July red red red
Eubotrys racemosa Coastal Fetterbush white April-May white white
Fothergilla gardenii Fothergilla white March-May white white white
Gordonia lasianthus Loblolly Bay white July-Sept white white white
Halesia diptera var. diptera Two Wing Silverbell white April-May white white
Ilex coriacea Big Gallberry white March-May white white white
Ilex decidua var. decidua Possum-haw white March-May white white white
Ilex glabra Inkberry white May-June white white
Ilex vomitoria Yaupon white March-May white white white
Illicium floridanum Purple Anise maroon April-May maroon maroon
Itea virginica Virginia Sweetspire white May-June white white
Lyonia lucida Shining Fetterbush white April-May white white
Magnolia grandiflora Southern Magnolia white May-June white white
Magnolia virginiana var. Sweet Bay white April white virginiana
Morella cerifera Common Wax Myrtle white April white
Rhododendron alabamense Alabama Azalea white March-April white white
Rhododendron atlanticum Coastal Azalea pinkish white April-May pinkish white pinkish white
yellowish- Rhododendron austrinum Florida Azalea yellowish-orange April orange
yellow, Persea borbonia Red Bay yellow, small May-June yellow, small small
creamy Pinckneya bracteata Fever-tree creamy rose May-June creamy rose rose
Sabal minor Dwarf Palmetto white June-July white white
Sesbania drummondii Poisonbean light yellow August light yellow
Stewartia malacodendron Silky Camellia white May-June white white
Styrax americanus var. American Snowbell white April-June white white white americanus
Styrax grandifolius Bigleaf Snowbell white April-May white white
Vaccinium crassifolium Creeping Blueberry white April-May white white
Viburnum nudum Possumhaw white April-May white white
16 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Botanical Common Name Name March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Zenobia pulverulenta Zenobia white April-June white white white Perennial Flowers Asclepias lanceolata Red Milkweed orange-red June-August yellow yellow yellow
Bigelowia nudata Rayless Goldenrod yellow Aug-Oct white/pink white/pink white/pink
purple to purple to purple to purple to Boltonia caroliniana Carolina Doll’s-daisy white/pink Aug-Oct pink pink pink pink
Carphephorus Vanilla Plant purple to pink July-Oct odoratissimus
pale yellow or pale yellow pale yellow or pale yellow or Cirsium horridulum Yellow Thistle March-May purple or purple purple purple
Conradina canescens Gray Rosemary light purple January-May light purple light purple light purple
Chrysogonum virginianum Gulf Coast Green- yellow March-May yellow yellow yellow var. australe and-gold
Dyschoriste oblongifolia Blue Twin Flower blue April-May blue blue
Coreopsis falcata Pool Coreopsis yellow May-July yellow yellow yellow
purplish- purplish- purplish- Eryngium aquaticum Marsh Eryngo purplish-blue July-Sept blue blue blue
purple with purple with purple with purple with Eurybia spectabilis Showy Aster Aug-Oct yellow yellow yellow yellow center center center center
Helenium pinnatifidum Savanna Sneezeweed yellow April-May yellow yellow
Helianthus angustifolius Narrowleaf Sunflower yellow Sept-Oct yellow yellow
Helianthus heterophyllus Savanna Sunflower yellow Aug-Oct yellow yellow yellow
Hibiscus coccineus Scarlet Hibiscus red July-Aug red red
Hibiscus grandiflorus Swamp Rose-mallow pink/white July-Aug pink/white pink/white
white to white to white to pink Hibiscus moscheutos Eastern Rose-mallow June-Aug pink with pink with with red throats red throats red throats
blue with blue with blue with blue with golden Iris verna var. verna Coastal Plain Dwarf Iris March-May golden golden yellow golden yellow yellow sepal yellow sepal sepal sepal
Iris virginica Southern Blueflag blue April-May blue blue
Kosteletskya virginica var. Marsh Mallow pink July-Oct pink pink pink pink virginica
Liatris elegans Elegant Blazing-star rosy-pink Sept-Oct rosy-pink rosy-pink
Lobelia elongata Blue Lobelia blue Aug-Oct blue blue blue
yellow/ yellow/ Monarda punctata var. yellow/purplish- Eastern Horse-mint Aug-Sept purplish- purplish- punctata pink pink pink
Orontium aquaticum Golden Club yellow March-April yellow yellow
Pontederia cordata var. Pickerelweed purple June-Aug purple purple purple cordata
Pityopsis graminifolia var. Narrow-leaved yellow Sept-Oct yellow yellow tenuifolia Silkgrass
Smooth Meadow- Rhexia alifanus pink May-Sept pink pink pink pink pink beauty
Solidago sempivirens var. Seaside Goldenrod yellow Sept-Nov yellow yellow yellow mexicana
Stokesia laevis Stoke’s Aster blue July-Aug blue blue
white/ Yucca filamentosa Spoonleaf Yucca white/green April-June white/green white/green green
Zephyranthes atamasca Atamasco Lily white March-April white white Vines Ampelaster carolinianus Climbing Aster rose-pink Sept-Oct rose-pink rose-pink
Bignonia capreolata Cross-vine red and yellow April-May red and yellow red and yellow
Campsis radicans Trumpet-creeper orange June-July orange orange
bluish- bluish- bluish- Clematis crispa Marsh Clematis bluish-purple June-August purple purple purple
bluish-purple, bluish-purple, bluish-purple, Wisteria frutescens American Wisteria April-May lavender lavender lavender
Gelsemium rankinii Swamp Jessamine yellow March-April yellow yellow
Arrow-leaf Morning Ipomoea sagittata pink July-Sept pink pink pink Glory
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 17 Plants that attract pollinators i n TH E Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province
The following chart lists plants that attract pollinators. It is not exhaustive, but provides guidance on where to start. Annuals, herbs, weeds, and cover crops provide food and shelter for pollinators, too.
Botanical Common Flower Visitation by Name Name Color Height Season Sun Soil pollinator Also a host Trees & Shrubs Bottlebrush butterflies (zebra swallowtail), Aesculus parviflora white 6-12’ July-August shade to partial shade moist, well drained Buckeye bumblebees
red, reddish- Aesculus pavia Red Buckeye 20-25’ April-May shade to partial shade moist hummingbirds, bees, bumblebees yellow
butterflies (Coral Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak), moths Aronia arbutifolia Red Chokeberry white to 15’ March-May sun to partial shade moist to wet butterflies, bees (Bluish Spring, Praeclara Underwing)
Small-fruited flies (fruit flies, green bottle flies), Asimina parviflora reddish-maroon 6-9’ April-May shade to partial shade dry to moist Pawpaw beetles, moths
American Callicarpa americana lavander, pink 4-6’ June-July sun to partial shade dry to moist bees, butterflies Beautyberry
butterflies (Great Purple Hairstreak, Sweet Clethra alnifolia white 4-9’ July sun moist to wet, acidic Snout butterfly), bees (honeybees, Pepperbush others), hummingbirds
Clinopodium Georgia Savory light pink 12-18” July-Sept sun to partial shade dry bees georgianum
Crataegus aestivalis Mayhaw white 12-18’ March-April shade to partial shade mesic to wet flies (midges, others) butterflies
Cyrilla racemiflora Ti-ti, Leatherwood white 5-15’ May-July sun to partial shade moist to wet bees (honeybees, others), butterflies
Erythrina herbacea Coral Bean red to 24’ May-July sun to partial shade dry butterflies
Fothergilla gardenii Fothergilla white 2-4’ March-May sun to partial shade moist bees (honeybees, others)
Gordonia lasianthus Loblolly Bay white to 75’ July-Sept sun to shade moist to wet, acidic bees
Halesia diptera var. Two Wing white to 30’ April-May sun to partial shade moist to wet bees, butterflies diptera Silverbell
Ilex coriacea Big Gallberry white to 15’ March-May sun to partial shade wet bees butterflies
Ilex decidua var. butterflies (American Holly Possum-haw white to 20’ March-May shade to partial shade mesic to wet bees decidua Azure)
butterflies (American Holly Ilex glabra Inkberry white 4-6’ May-June sun to partial shade moist to wet bees, flies Azure)
Ilex vomitoria Yaupon white 10-12’ March-May sun to partial shade dry bees butterflies
Illicium floridanum Purple Anise maroon 8-9’ April-May shade to partial shade moist to wet, acidic hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
Virginia butterflies (American Holly Itea virginica white 3-5’ May-June sun to partial shade moist butterflies, bees Sweetspire Azure)
Southern Magnolia grandiflora white to 60’ May-June shade moist beetles, bees Magnolia
butterflies (Eastern Tiger Magnolia virginiana var. Sweet Bay white 6-60’ April sun to partial shade moist to flooded bees (honeybees), beetles Swallowtail, Spicebush virginiana Swallowtail)
Common Wax butterflies (Red-banded Morella cerifera white 10-20’ April sun to partial shade moist to wet, salt tolerant bees Myrtle Hairstreak)
Rhododendron Alabama Azalea white 5-6’ March-April partial shade moist butterflies alabamense
Rhododendron butterflies (skippers, swallowtails), butterflies (Striped Hairstreak, Coastal Azalea pinkish white 3-6’ April-May partial shade moist atlanticum hummingbirds Brown Elfin, Gray Comma)
Rhododendron Florida Azalea yellowish-orange 8-10’ April partial shade moist hummingbirds, butterflies butterflies austrinum
Sabal minor Dwarf Palmetto white 4-6’ June-July sun to partial shade moist to wet bees (honeybees, others)
Stewartia Silky Camellia white to 20’ May-June sun to partial shade moist, acidic bees, butterflies malacodendron
Styrax americanus var. American white 8-10’ April-June shade to partial shade moist bees americanus Snowbell
Styrax grandifolius Bigleaf Snowbell white to 20’ April-May shade to partial shade moist bees (bumble bees, others), butterflies
Creeping Vaccinium crassifolium white 4-8” April-May sun to partial shade moist bees, butterflies butterflies Blueberry
18 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Botanical Common Flower Visitation by Name Name Color Height Season Sun Soil pollinator Also a host
butterflies (Baltimore Checkerspot, Red-spotted Purple, Spring Azure, butterflies (Baltimore Viburnum nudum Possumhaw white 6-8’ April-May shade to sun moist to wet Appalachian Azure, Striped Hairstreak, Checkerspot, Spring Azure) White M Hairstreak), bees, beetles, flies Perennial Flowers Asclepias lanceolata Red Milkweed orange-red 3-5’ June-August sun to partial shade moist to wet bees, moths butterflies (Monarch, Queen)
Rayless Bigelowia nudata yellow 15-24” Aug-Oct sun to partial shade moist to wet bees Goldenrod
Carolina Doll’s- Boltonia caroliniana white/pink 12-40” Aug-Oct sun to partial shade moist bees butterflies (Skippers) daisy
Conradina canescens Gray Rosemary light purple to 3’ January-May sun to partial shade dry, sand bees (blueberry bee, others)
Chrysogonum Gulf Coast Green- yellow 4-6” March-May partial shade moist to submoist bees, flies virginianum var. australe and-gold
Coreopsis falcata Pool Coreopsis yellow 25-80” May-July sun to partial shade wet butterflies (Sulphur) butterflies
purple with yellow Eurybia spectabilis Showy Aster 1-2’ Aug-Oct sun to partial shade dry butterflies, bees butterflies center
Savanna Helenium pinnatifidum yellow 8-40” April-May sun to partial shade moist to wet bees, butterflies Sneezeweed
butterflies (Silvery Narrowleaf butterflies (White Indigo Duskywing, Helianthus angustifolius yellow 5-7’ Sept-Oct sun moist to wet Checkerspot, Gorgone Sunflower Buckeye, Silvery Checkerspot), bees Checkerspot, Painted Lady)
Helianthus Savanna yellow 8-15” Aug-Oct sun to partial shade wet bees heterophyllus Sunflower
Hibiscus coccineus Scarlet Hibiscus red to 3’ July-Aug sun wet butterflies (Checkered Skipper) butterflies
Swamp Rose- Hibiscus grandiflorus pink/white 4-6’ July-Aug sun moist to wet flies (syrphid flies) mallow
Eastern Rose- white to pink with hummingbirds, butterflies (Cloudless Hibiscus moscheutos 5-7’ June-Aug sun moist to wet butterflies (Painted Lady) mallow red throats Sulphur, Dukes’ Skipper)
Coastal Plain blue with golden Iris verna var. verna 6-12” March-May shade to partial shade dry bees Dwarf Iris yellow sepal
butterflies (Sliver Spotted Skipper, Iris virginica Southern Blueflag blue 24-40” April-May sun wet to moist Palamedes Swallowtail, Two-spotted Skipper), bumblebees, beetles
Elegant Blazing- Liatris elegans rosy-pink 3-5’ Sept-Oct sun to partial shade dry butterflies, bees star
Lobelia elongata Blue Lobelia blue 24-36” Aug-Oct sun to partial shade mesic to wet, inundated butterflies
bees (bumblebees, honeybees, Monarda punctata var. Eastern Horse- yellow/purplish- Miner bees, Plasterer bees), moths, 15-24” Aug-Sept sun to partial shade dry, sandy moths (Gray Marvel, Pyralid) punctata mint pink butterflies (Silver-spotted Skipper), hummingbirds, wasps
Pontederia cordata var. Pickerelweed purple 1-3’ June-Aug sun to partial shade wet or innundated butterflies (skippers) cordata
Pityopsis graminifolia Narrow-leaved yellow 8-15” Sept-Oct sun to partial shade dry bees (bumblebees, sweatbees) butterflies var. tenuifolia Silkgrass
Smooth Meadow- Rhexia alifanus pink 20-40” May-Sept sun to partial shade moist to wet, inundated bees beauty
Solidago sempivirens var. Seaside yellow 1-6’ Sept-Nov sun moist to wet butterflies, beetles, bees butterflies mexicana Goldenrod
butterflies (Great Spangled Fritillary), Stokesia laevis Stoke’s Aster blue 1-2’ July-Aug sun to partial shade moist honeybees
Yucca filamentosa Spoonleaf Yucca white/green 3-9’ April-June sun dry to moist, well drained moths (yuuca moths)
Zephyranthes atamasca Atamasco Lily white 3-12” March-April sun to partial shade moist to wet moths (hawk moths?) Vines Ampelaster carolinianus Climbing Aster rose-pink 10-20’ Sept-Oct sun to partial shade moist to dry bees (sweatbees, leafcutter bees)
Bignonia capreolata Cross-vine red and yellow 30-45’ April-May sun to partial shade moist hummingbirds, bumblebees
moths (Plebeian Sphinx, Campsis radicans Trumpet-creeper orange 30-45’ June-July sun moist to dry hummingbirds, bumblebees Pyralid)
Clematis crispa Marsh Clematis bluish-purple 10-20’ June-August sun moist to wet bees, butterflies
bluish-purple, butterflies (Silver-spotted Wisteria frutescens American Wisteria to 30’ April-May sun to partial shade moist to wet butterflies (Juvenal’s Duskywing) lavender Skipper, Long-tailed Skipper)
bees (aphid bee, blueberry bee, Gelsemium rankinii Swamp Jessamine yellow 10-20’ March-April sun moist to wet others), flies
Arrow-leaf bees (bumblebees, others), Ipomoea sagittata pink to 15’ July-Sept sun moist to wet Morning Glory hummingbirds
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 19 Habitat Hints F OR TH E Outer Coastal Plain Mixed PROVINCE
HABITAT REQUIREMENTS FOR BEE-POLLINATED GARDEN FLOWERS AND CROPS Lg Sm Squash/ Yellow- Bumble Digger Leafcutter Mason Sweat Plasterer Andrenid Carpenter Carpenter Gourd faced FLOWERS Catalpa x Catnip x x x Clover x x Columbine x Cow parsley x Goldenrod x x x x Impatiens x Irises x x Lavender x x x x Milkwort x Morning glory x Penstemon x x x Passion flowers x Phacelia x x x x x x x x Potentilla x Rose x x x x x Salvia x x x x x Saxifrages x x Sorrel x Sunflowers x x x x x x x x Violet x x Wild Mustard x x Willow catkins x x CROPS Almond x x x Apple x Blueberry x x x Cherry x x Eggplant x x x Gooseberry x x Legumes x x x x Water melon x x Squash/ Pumpkins/ x x Gourds Tomatoes x x x x Thyme x x x x x
20 Selecting Plants for Pollinators Habitat and Nesting requirements:
Bumble Bees: Abandoned mouse nests, other rodent burrows, upside down flower pots, under boards, and other human-made cavities. Colonies are founded by a queen in the spring and don’t die out in the fall. New queens mate then and overwinter in a sort of hibernation. Bumble bees are usually active during the morning hours and forage at colder temperatures than honey bees, even flying in light rain.
Large carpenter bees: Soft dead wood, poplar, cottonwood or willow trunks and limbs, structural timbers including redwood. Depending on the species, there may be one or two brood cycles per year. These bees can be active all day even in the hottest weather.
Digger bees: Sandy soil, compacted soils, bank sides. Anthophorid bees (now in the Apidae) are usually active in the morning hours, but can be seen at other times.
Small carpenter bees: Pithy stems including roses and blackberry canes. These bees are more active in the morning but can be found at other times. “ MONARCH Squash and Gourd bees: Sandy soil, may nest in gardens (where pumpkins, squash and gourds are grown) or BUTTERFLIES pathways. These bees are early risers and can be found in pumpkin patches before dawn. Males often sleep in the wilted flowers. NEVER FAIL TO Leafcutter bees: Pre-existing circular tunnels of various diameters in dead but sound wood created by emerging beetles, some nest in the ground. Leave dead limbs and trees to support not CATCH THE just pollinators but other wildlife. Leafcutter bees can be seen foraging throughout the day even in hot weather. VISITOR’S EYE Mason bees: Pre-existing tunnels, various diameters in dead wood made by emerging beetles, or AND ALWAYS human-made nesting substrates, drilled wood boards, paper soda straws inserted into cans attached to buildings. Mason bees are generally more active in the morning hours. LEAD TO Sweat bees: Bare ground, compacted soil, sunny areas not covered by vegetation. Like most bees, sweat bees forage for pollen earlier in the morning and then for nectar later. A TEACHABLE
Plasterer or cellophane bees: Bare ground, banks or cliffs. Colletid bees can be active in the morning or later in the day. MOMENT.” Yellow-faced bees: -- LOGAN LEE, In dead stems. These bees are more active during morning hours. PRAIRIE SUPERVISOR Andrenid bees: Sunny, bare ground, sand soil, under leaf litter or in soil in banksides and cliffs. These MIDEWIN NATIONAL generally spring-active bees are most commonly seen on flowers during the morning when pollen and nectar resources are abundant. TALLGRASS PRAIRIE
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 21 A Basic Checklist
Become familiar with pollinators in your landscape.
n Watch for activity throughout the day and the seasons. n Keep a simple notebook of when and what comes to your garden. NOTE: It is not necessary to identify each species when you first get started. Simply note if it is a bee that likes the yellow flower that blooms in the fall. n Consult a local field guide or web site when you are ready to learn more details.
Add native plants to attract more native pollinators.
n List the plants you currently have in your landscape. n Determine when you need additional flowers to provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. n Add plants that provide additional seasons of bloom, create variable heights for shelter, and attract the types of pollinators you want. n Don’t forget to include host plants that provide food and shelter for larval development. n Contact your local native plant society or extension agent for more help.
Use pollinator friendly landscape practices to support the pollinators you attract.
n Use Integrated Pest Management Practices to address pest concerns. n Tolerate a little mess – leave dead snags and leaf litter, keep areas bare for ground nesting insects, and leave some weeds that provide food for pollinators. n Provide safe access to clean water.
Notice the changes that you have helped to create!
22 Selecting Plants for Pollinators R e sou r ce s
Many books, websites, and people Native Plants Butterflies and Moths were consulted to gather information for this guide. Use this list as a Opler, Paul A., Harry Pavulaan, Plant Conservation Alliance starting point to learn more about Ray E. Stanford, Michael Pogue, www.nps.gov/plants pollinators and plants in your area. coordinators. 2006. Butterflies and Seeds of Success Moths of North America. Bozeman, Bailey’s Ecoregion Maps www.nps.gov/plants/sos MT: NBII Mountain Prairie Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Information Node. USDA Forest Service Center www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ http://www.fs.fed.us/land/ www.wildflower.org/plants/ (Version 07192007) ecosysmgmt/ecoreg1_home.html USDA Hardiness Zone Map Pyle, Robert Michael. 1981. National www.usna.usda/Hardzone/ Audubon Society Field Guide to Pollination/Pollinators U.S. National Arboretum Butterflies. Alfred A. Knopf: New www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ York, NY. Pollinator Partnership ushzmap.html North American Buterfly www.pollinator.org Association USDA, NRCS. 2007. The PLANTS www.naba.org Coevolution Institute Database www.coevolution.org www.plants.usda.gov, 19 July, 2007 Feedback Natural Resources National Plant Data Center, Conservation Service Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA We need your help to create better www.nrcs.usda.gov guides for other parts of North North American Pollinator America. Please e-mail your input to Protection Campaign [email protected] Native Bees www.nappc.org or fax to 415-362-3070. USDA Forest Service National Sustainable Information www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/ Service n How will you use this guide? Wild Farm Alliance “Alternative Pollinators: Native Bees” www.wildfarmalliance.org by Lane Greer, NCAT Agriculture n Specialist, Published 1999, ATTRA Do you find the directions The Xerces Society Publication #IP126 clear? If not, please tell us www.xerces.org www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/ what is unclear. Illinois Natural History Survey nativebee.html www.inhs.uiuc.edu n Is there any information you Agriculture Research Service feel is missing from the guide? Buchmann, S.L. and G.P. Nabhan. Plants Attractive to Native Bees table 1997. The Forgotten Pollinators www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs. n Island Press: Washington, DC. htm?docid=12052 Any other comments? Committee on the Status of Pollinators in North America. 2007. Thank you Status of Pollinators in North America for taking The National Academies Press: Washington, DC. the time to help!
Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province 23 Research and Writing: Elizabeth L. Ley NAPPC Stephen Buchmann, Ph.D. Gary Kauffman Katherine McGuire
Editorial: Laurie Davies Adams and Larry Stritch, Ph.D.
Production Supervision: Katherine McGuire
Design: Marguerite Meyer
Plant Conservation Alliance Concept review: American Farm Bureau Federation, Ron Gaskell Bureau of Land Management, Peggy Olwell, Carol Spurrier, Mary Byrne, Mary Tisdale, Elizabeth Wooster National Garden Association, Susanne DeJohn Plant Conservation Alliance – Edward Fletcher, Jean Giblette, Mary Ann Lawler, Ron Smith Smithsonian Institute, Department of Botany, Gary Krupnick, Ph.D. USDA - CSREES, Greg Crosby, Ph.D., Leslie Gilbert, Ph.D. USDA - Forest Service, David Pivorunas, Larry Stritch, Ph.D. USDA - Natural Resource Conservation Service, Doug Holy, Hilda Diaz-Soltero USDOI - US Fish and Wildlife Service, Karen Anderson, Don MacLean, Patricia DeAngelis, Ph.D. USGS - Steve Hilburger, Elizabeth Sellers
Photo Contributor: www.dangphoto.net
Illustrations: Carolyn Vibbert
For a copy of this brochure, or for another region, visit www.pollinator.org The Pollinator Partnership™/North American Pollinator Protection Campaign 423 Washington St., 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 – 415-362-1137 24 www.pollinator.org d www.nappc.org Selecting Plants for Pollinators