monarch butterfly on milkweed
9 Apr 2025

Plant a pollinator garden bees and butterflies will love

by | posted in: Wildflowers | 0

Creating a rich native plant habitat is one of the most important things you do to support pollinators. Native plants are well adapted to survive in a particular geographic area based on climate, rainfall, and pollinators’ availability. By planting native plants in a pollinator garden, you can bolster the wild bee populations and protect endangered species of butterflies like monarchs. What native plant species should you select for your pollinator-friendly garden? 

Before we get to our favorite pollinators, here are some suggestions to remember when selecting pollinator plants for your pollinator garden:

  • Select nectar- and pollen-rich flowers with a range of shapes, sizes, and colors
  • Avoid hybrids, especially those with “double” flowers
  • Choose several different plants that bloom from early spring to late fall
  • Plant in drifts or large masses of at least 3 or more on the same plant
  • Incorporate larval host plants to support butterflies and moths

Now, on to some of our beloved pollinator-friendly wildflowers and plants for the region:

Ohio spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis, Ohio Spiderwort

One of the first plants to bloom in the spring is Ohio spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), offering an early source of pollen to bees, bumblebees, and sweat bees.

Wild geranium

Geranium maculatum wild geranium

Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) is a favorite spring-blooming woodland plant with lavender blooms and attractive foliage. The native plant is known to attract many native bees and species of butterflies and moths, using it as a larval host plant.

Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa butterfly milkweed

All milkweed plants are a vital food source for the larval stage of monarchs, along with other butterflies. Given a significant decline in the monarch population due to a scarcity of milkweed plants, butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), white milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), or swamp or red milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) should be at the top of your list.

Joe pye weed

Eupatorium maculatum spotted joe-pye-weed

Joe pye weed or spotted joe pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum) is a beautiful showy native plant with dusty rose blooms. The plant frequently attracts dozens of species of butterflies and bees.

Mountain mint

Pycnanthemum muticum showy mountain mint

Mountain mints in the Pycnanthemum species possess fragrant foliage. Showy mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) and other species receive visits from blue and copper butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Monarda species

Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) and other Monarda species are valuable nectar sources for monarch butterflies. Native bees and bumblebees love the flower clusters on these plants. Hawk moths, hummingbirds, and long-tongued bumblebees specifically love the blooms on wild bergamot.

Wild senna

Senna hebecarpa, Wild Senna

While wild senna (Senna hebecarpa) is only briefly in bloom, the native plant receives visits from bees, butterflies, and bumblebees. A Penn State study from 2016 discovered bumblebees prefers flowers with a higher protein-to-lipid (P:L) ratio in their pollen, making them picky eaters. The study reported Wild senna as a favorite of bumblebees.

New Jersey tea

Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea

New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a native shrub that is an excellent nectar source for bees and butterflies in your pollinator garden. It serves as the host plant for butterfly larvae like Spring and Summer Azure butterflies. During the American Revolution, the plant earned the name “New Jersey Tea” when its caffeine-free leaves were brewed as a mildly sweet, earthy herbal tea substitute.

New England aster

New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, previously Aster novae-angliae) is one of the latest fall-blooming plants. It attracts honey bees, bumblebee queens before hibernation, and monarch butterflies. Asters are drought-resistant and grow best in full sun to light shade.

Goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens, Seaside Goldenrod

Goldenrod in the Solidago species is one of the most critical late-season native plants. Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) and other goldenrod species serve as a vital nectar source for honeybees before winter and a pollen source for other bees’ later-season nests. With over 100 species of goldenrod in North America, a swath of pollinators utilize goldenrod as a larval host plant.

Native plants are the heart of any pollinator-friendly garden. In fact, native plants are four times more attractive to pollinators than non-natives. Due to being indigenous to a region, native plants require little maintenance and serves an essential role in local ecosystems. What are you waiting for? Contact Keystone Wildflowers today to order plants for your pollinator garden.

12 Mar 2022

New native plants for 2022

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 0

Welcome to 2022! We’re excited to be back in the community at local native plant sales and hosting our own sales at our greenhouse. If you haven’t already, we recommend signing up for an appointment so you can peruse our nursery. However, the best news of 2022 is the new plants we’re offering. While quite a few plants are unavailable this year due to high demand, our selection is now 160 native plants strong.

When you’re selecting plants, we remind you to choose various plants that bloom from spring to fall to provide interest in your garden all season long. A variety of plants also ensures nectar and pollen are available to pollinators throughout the season. Please purchase your plants early as we expect another busy season ahead. Without further ado, here are our new native plants for 2022:

blephia hirsuta hairy wood mint

Hairy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta)

Blephilia hirsuta, or Hairy Wood Mint, is a herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial with fragrant showy white flowers stacked on top of each other, reaching three feet tall. It thrives in part sun to light shade and moist soils. The mint-scented leaves and white flowers make a great addition to a shaded woodland garden or any partially shaded area. Pollinators, especially long-tongued carpenter bees, mason bees, and leaf-cutting bees, are highly attracted to its blooms from May to September. Thanks to its odiferous foliage, deer tend to stay clear of this native plant.

Carex crinita Short-hair Sedge

Fringed Sedge (Carex crinita)

Carex crinita, or Fringed Sedge, is a perennial sedge that actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool. Short-Hair Sedge or Fringed Sedge is a tufted grass-like plant growing 2-3 feet tall leafy culms before flowering.

corylus americana american hazelnut

American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)

Corylus americana, or American Hazelnut is an easy to grow, 10-12 foot deciduous woody shrub that produces nuts in late summer to fall. Its deep green leaves turn a copper to yellow color in autumn. American Hazelnut makes a great hedgerow or windbreak and enjoys sun to part shade and moist to dry soils. The shrub produces showy blooms from March to April. Its edible nuts are enjoyed by game birds and small mammals and the male catkins are enjoyed by turkey and ruffed grouse in winter. It is also a host plant for Lepidoptera, particularly Polyphemus and Io moths.

Erythronium americanum yellow trout lily

Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

Erythronium americanum, or Yellow Trout Lily, is a perennial, spring ephemeral bearing a single, bell-shaped yellow flower. Its brown-mottled leaves are similar to the marking of brook trout. The plant thrives in moist woods or along shady streams.

lonicera sempervirens trumpet honeysuckle

Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Lonicera sempervirens, or Trumpet Honeysuckle, is a native woody vine and a hummingbird magnet, drawing pollinators to its coral-red flowers with golden yellow linings. Trumpet Honeysuckle or Coral Honeysuckle typically grows 10-20 feet, making it an excellent choice for training on a trellis, arbor, or fence. You can also allow the twining vine to sprawl as a groundcover. Trumpet Honeysuckle prefers medium moist, well-drained soil and full sun. One of the showiest honeysuckles, it produces small red berries in fall, making it attractive to birds. Occasionally, this vine will rebloom sporadically throughout summer and even into fall if the temperatures are warm.

quercus prinus or montana chestnut oak

Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus

Quercus prinus or montana is commonly known as Chestnut Oak or Rock Oak. The 60-70′ deciduous tree is native to the eastern US and is an important canopy species. The Chestnut Oak prefers full to part sun and dry to medium, rocky moist soils. The rapid-growing oak flowers in the spring and can be quite drought-tolerant. All oaks are valuable for their high-quality timber and prized acorns. Chestnut Oak is very important to wildlife, attracting insects, birds, and mammals.

quercus rubra red-oak

Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Quercus rubra or Red Oak is a native deciduous tree to the eastern and central US and grows up to 60-70 feet. Red Oak prefers full to part sun and is very adaptable to any soil, from sandy to rich. Red Oak is the fastest-growing oak and produces red leaves in the fall. Red Oak is a very important tree to wildlife, attracting insects, birds, and mammals. Red Oak is also rather drought tolerant. This native tree is an important oak for timber production as lumber, veneer, fence posts, flooring, and more. The acorns can be collected in fall, shelled, tied in a cloth to leach and remove bitterness. Later, you can eat the acorns whole or grind them into a meal.

Please note, some plants on this list will not be available until later in the season. Check our availability list for more details.

Trillium sessile red toad
17 Mar 2021

New native plants for your 2021 garden

by | posted in: Wildflowers | 0

2021 is a new year, and for us, that means new native plants. This year, our selection grows to 156 native plants. From sunny to shady and wet to dry, we have plants for every garden. When you’re selecting plants, choose various plants that bloom from spring to fall to provide interest all season long. A variety of plants also ensures nectar and pollen are available throughout the growing season. Don’t forget to purchase your plants early as we expect a busy season ahead.

Aruncus dioicus goat's beard

Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)

Aruncus dioicus, or Goat’s Beard, is a dioecious (separate male and female plants) perennial growing in moist woods, meadows, and along streams. Goat’s Beard is a very showy plant with tiny clusters of white flowers, growing 3 to 5 feet tall from June to July. Goat’s Beard is the larval host for the Dusky Azure butterfly.

Asplenium platyneuron ebony spleenwort

Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron)

Asplenium platyneuron, or Ebony Spleenwort, is an evergreen fern growing in medium yet well-drained locations. It can tolerate more sun than most ferns but prefers shade or semi-shade settings. The plant produces arching, pinnate, semi-glossy, dark green fronds.

Aster divaricatus white wood aster

White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus)

Aster divaricatus, or White Wood Aster, is a low mounding, rhizomatous perennial that is typically the first aster to bloom in late summer. White Wood Aster produces white ray flowers with light pink centers that are sure to brighten your shade garden. The plant also hosts the caterpillars of the Pearl Crescent and Checkerspot butterflies.

aster novi-belgii new york aster

New York Aster (Aster novi-belgii)

Aster novi-belgii, or New York Aster, is a sturdy, clump-forming perennial with lance-shaped leaves and rings of purple or pink flowers surrounding yellow disc centers. New York Aster thrives in moist, well-drained soils and full to part sun. This aster hosts caterpillars of several different moths.

Baptisia tinctoria yellow wild indigo

Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)

Baptisia tinctoria, or Yellow Wild Indigo, is a shrub-like perennial with silvery, gray-green leaves and bright pea-shaped flowers in late spring. The plant grows best in full sun or part sun. Yellow Wild Indigo is the host plant for the Wild Indigo Duskywing skipper and Clouded Sulphur butterfly.

Claytonia virginica Spring Beauty

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Claytonia virginica, or Spring Beauty, is an early flowering spring wildflower with five white or pink petals striped with darker pink veins. The small woodland plant is great for pollinators, attracting honeybees, bumblebees, carpenter bees, mason bees, and more. Spring Beauty can be naturalized in lawns in the same manner as spring crocus.

Hepatica acutiloba Sharp-lobed Hepatica

Sharp-Lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba)

Hepatica acutiloba, or Sharp-Lobed Hepatica, is an attractive wildflower found growing in open woods in early to mid-spring. The flowers are white, purple-blue, or pink in color with a round shape, and its leaves are distinctive and mottled, turning crimson in the fall. The appearance of the leaves resulted in another common name “Liverleaf” as they are shaped like the human liver.

Hibiscus laevis rose mallow

Rose Mallow (Hibiscus laevis)

Hibiscus laevis, or Rose Mallow, is a native of marshes and low-lying areas, producing large, showy pink flowers up to six inches in diameter. Rose Mallow makes a great addition to pond margins or areas with water features, as it prefers rich, moist soil. Rose Mallow is a relative of the Hollyhock and attracts butterflies with showy blossoms.

Hibiscus moscheutos swamp rose mallow

Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Hibiscus moscheutos, or Swamp Rose Mallow, is a robust, attractive plant with large leaves and stunning white flowers with dark pink centers. Each exotic appearing bloom lasts a day, but they are produced repeatedly for about a month. Swamp Rose Mallow is great for late-summer, living fences, wetland edges, or rain gardens. The blooms are pollinated by long-tongued bees like the Rose Mallow bee and provide nectar to ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Jeffersonia diphylla Twinleaf Flower

Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla)

Jeffersonia diphylla, or Twinleaf, is an early spring wildflower with a single white, cup-shaped flower resembling Bloodroot. Twinleaf has long-stemmed leaves, divided into two lobes giving the appearance of two separate leaves, hence its common name. Twinleaf prefers well-drained, medium soil and the shade of hardwood forests. When massed, the foliage creates an effective groundcover in shady areas.

Trillium sessile red toad

Red Toad (Trillium sessile)

Trillium sessile, or Red Toad, is a graceful spring perennial with a fragrant, deep red flower that never fully opens. The flower forms a spike and sits atop three gray-green mottled leaves, with the whole plant reaching a height of 12 inches. Red Toad prefers shaded, rich, well-drained soil that remains moist. The clump-forming plant makes an attention-grabbing addition to your shady woodland garden.

Viola sororia Meadow Blue Violet

Meadow Blue Violet (Viola sororia)

Viola sororia, or Meadow Blue Violet, is a low-growing, groundcover perennial with leaves and flowers that grow directly from rhizomes. In spring, 1″ blue-violet blooms appear with five petals. Meadow Blue Violet grows best in medium soils and part sun to full sun sites. It makes an excellent groundcover and offers an early nectar source to bees and other pollinators. Caterpillars of various Fritillary butterflies feed on the foliage.

Check out these other native plants we’re excited about in 2021:

  • Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)
  • Cream Gentian (Gentiana flavida)
  • Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea)
  • Prairie Phlox (Phlox pilosa)
  • Wild Indian Physic (Porteranthus stipulatus)

Note: Some plants on this list, such as Rose Mallow, Swamp Rose Mallow, Cream Gentian, etc. will not be available until later in the season.

autumn fall planting native plants garden
11 Oct 2020

How fall planting is great for your garden

by | posted in: Wildflowers | 0

As the trees shed leaves and darting chipmunks gather walnut shells, fall planting is finally upon us. The onset of autumn signals it is planting season again. While spring the customary time for planting, fall is one of the best times (maybe better) to plant your native perennials, grasses, and shrubs. The days shorten, and the temperature starts to drop, especially in the evening, presenting the perfect root establishment conditions. If you’re used to spring planting, here are a few tips and ideas to keep in mind during your autumn plant installation.

Timing is key

For the Mid-Atlantic region, late summer to early fall extends from August to September or early October. This time is the sweet spot for fall planting. The further north you live, the earlier you should plant. You want to aim for getting plants in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes solid. Why? Most of the action is happening underground as roots need time to become established. Fall is also an excellent time to divide any existing perennials that are spring and early-summer bloomers. Plan and time your plant orders accordingly.

Soil temperatures benefits

This time of year, the soil temperature is warmer than it is in spring. The soil temperature is warm enough for active root growth. Since plants are usually dormant and not producing flowers, they have more energy for root establishment.

Plant spring ephemerals in early fall

Spring-blooming perennials thrive when planted early in the fall season. Spring ephemerals like white and yellow trilliums, shooting stars, rue anemone, bloodroot, trout lilies, and jack-in-the-pulpits are entirely dormant in fall. No growth appears above the roots. Other spring or early summer blooming plants will also look spent as they finish their growth cycle. In the fall, the soil should still be warm to give the roots time to establish. With well-established roots, spring ephemerals and other spring to early summer bloomers will emerge the following year with a stronger start and appear more floriferous.

Watering and rainfall

Before planting, be sure the plants are watered thoroughly and give the roots time to entirely soak up the water. Given the combination of lower temperatures, lower sun angles, and shorter days, you need to water less in the fall. Typically, regular rainfall returns this time of year. However, if rains are scarce, water deeply, up to an inch of water each week.

Frost and avoiding frost heave

Frost stops the plant growth aboveground. It doesn’t kill the plant. The plant’s roots should continue to grow until the ground freezes solid. In late fall to early winter, the soil’s freezing and thawing cycle result in a frost heave. Frost heave is the upwards swelling of soil due to its expansion from freezing. Plants not fully rooted rise from the ground and risk dying due to cold temperatures. Early fall planting reduces the chance of frost heave.

Wait to mulch

Wait to add mulch to new plantings. New growth benefits from the sun warming the soil through October. Once the cold weather sets in and night temperatures are consistently 32 degrees or lower, apply mulch, leaf litter, spent plant material, straw, etc. Once the soil is completely frozen, a straw or mulch layer will keep the ground from thawing around the plants. Later, remove the winter mulch in the spring after the freeze-thaw cycles have ended.

Perennials planted in fall will be more floriferous and uniform next year than those grown in spring. Give your plants more time for their roots to establish, and plant them in the fall. Contact Keystone Wildflowers today and get your fall planting order in before the ground freezes.

bee on goldenrod pollinator week 2020
19 Jun 2020

Celebrate Pollinator Week by planting a pollinator garden

by | posted in: Wildflowers | 0

Get ready to toast to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, beetles, flies (yes, flies), and bats! From June 22 to 28, National Pollinator Week is the perfect time to celebrate these hard-working animals. Pollinators provide a service vital to the maintenance of our plant communities.

Did you know, in their 1996 book, “The Forgotten Pollinators,” Buchmann and Nabhan estimated animal pollinators account for the reproduction of 90% of flowering plants and one-third of human food crops? Hard-working pollinators, like hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies, carry pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar. Without them, most plants can’t produce seeds and fruit. As you may know, fruits and seeds are an essential food source for people and wildlife. 

Pollinators are considered to be in a state of decline due to habitat loss and degradation, and they need our help. The decline in pollinator health is a threat to biodiversity, global food webs, and human health. Pollination may be less resistant to extinction in the future.

How can you help? By planting a pollinator garden. To be considered a pollinator garden, your garden should include: various nectar-producing flowers, a shelter for pollinators, avoid pesticides, and place similar flowers close together. Here’s why these points matter:

  • Choose plants flowering at different times of the year. A variety of plants ensure nectar and pollen are available throughout the entire growing season.
  • Plant in clumps. We recommend groups of at least three plants. A grouping of plants has a better chance of attracting pollinators than a single plant. If a pollinator can visit the same type of plant, again and again, it doesn’t have to relearn how to enter the flower. Instead of wasting pollen on unreceptive flowers, the pollinator can transfer pollen to the same species.
  • Diversify your garden’s colors and shapes. Mixing a variety of flower colors and shapes can attract different pollinators. For example, scarlet, orange, red, or white-colored flowers with large, funnel-like shapes appeal to hummingbirds. Also, be sure to consider various heights for establishing pollinator shelter from weather and predators.
  • Choose native plants.  Planting native plants should be a given as Keystone Wildflowers only sells native plants. Native plants attract more native pollinators. Natives also serve as larval host plants for certain pollinator species. Host plants provide food and shelter for larval development.
  • Tolerate a little mess. Resist the urge to maintain a manicured lawn and garden. Leave dead snags and leaf litter for insects. Offer some bare dirt for ground-nesting bees and minimize tillage.
  • Minimize or eliminate pesticide use. Pesticides are generally toxic to pollinators. We always caution against pesticides. However, if you decide to use them, be sure to apply pesticides only for problematic target species.

If we do not protect pollinator habitats and create new habitats, the lack of pollination will significantly impact humans. A pollinator garden is an excellent way to protect pollinators so they can continue to pollinate plants around the world. For more information about pollinator gardens and selecting plants, please contact Keystone Wildflowers.

Pollinator Week was created by the Pollinator Partnership and designated by the U.S. Senate in 2007. The mission is to celebrate and promote the health of pollinators through conservation, education, and research.