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Keep the Pollinators Coming Into Fall

Posted on by admin
05
Aug

As summer begins to transition toward fall in northern New Jersey, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators are still actively searching for nectar. Adding plants that continue blooming through the later part of the growing season helps keep your landscape colorful while providing an important food source for local wildlife.

A thoughtful mix of perennials, native plants, flowering herbs, and annuals can keep your garden blooming and buzzing for weeks to come.

Choose Long-Blooming Perennials

Perennials provide dependable color year after year while offering valuable nectar for pollinators.

Excellent choices include:

  • Coneflowers
  • Black-Eyed Susans
  • Salvia
  • Sedum
  • Bee Balm
  • Asters

These garden favorites bloom for weeks and help support bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds through the changing season.

Add Native Plants

Native plants are naturally suited to New Jersey growing conditions and play an important role in supporting local insects and wildlife.

Consider adding:

  • New England Aster
  • Joe Pye Weed
  • Goldenrod
  • Blazing Star
  • Mountain Mint
  • Native Milkweed

Native plants provide nectar, pollen, shelter, and habitat for butterflies, native bees, and beneficial insects.

Let Herbs Flower

Many culinary herbs become pollinator magnets when allowed to bloom.

Try leaving a few stems unharvested on:

  • Basil
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Chives
  • Lavender
  • Mint

Their flowers provide an additional nectar source while bringing fragrance and texture to the garden.

Keep Annual Color Going

Annuals offer continuous blooms and can quickly fill gaps in garden beds and containers.

Pollinator-friendly choices include:

  • Zinnias
  • Cosmos
  • Lantana
  • Verbena
  • Sunflowers
  • Marigolds

Regular deadheading encourages many annuals to continue flowering until frost.

Plant Flowers in Groups

Pollinators can find flowers more easily when several plants of the same variety are grouped together.

Planting in clusters also creates a stronger display in the landscape and provides bees and butterflies with an efficient place to gather nectar.

Provide Water and Shelter

Pollinators need more than flowers to thrive.

Help create a welcoming habitat by:

  • Providing a shallow water source
  • Leaving some perennial seed heads standing
  • Including shrubs and ornamental grasses for shelter
  • Adding flat stones where butterflies can rest
  • Limiting pesticide use whenever possible

Even a small garden or container grouping can become a valuable pollinator stop.

Plan for Continuous Blooms

The best pollinator gardens include plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season.

Combine:

  • Long-blooming perennials
  • Native flowering plants
  • Blooming herbs
  • Colorful annuals
  • Late-season asters and goldenrod

This creates a steady supply of nectar while keeping your garden vibrant from summer into fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which plants attract the most butterflies?

Coneflowers, asters, milkweed, Joe Pye Weed, salvia, zinnias, and butterfly bush are all excellent choices.

Why are native plants important for pollinators?

Native plants have developed alongside local wildlife and often provide the food and habitat regional pollinators need most.

Can flowering herbs attract bees?

Absolutely. Basil, oregano, thyme, lavender, chives, and mint become valuable nectar sources when allowed to flower.

Should I deadhead pollinator plants?

Deadheading annuals encourages more blooms. Later in the season, consider leaving some perennial seed heads standing to support birds and beneficial insects.

Can I plant pollinator-friendly plants in August?

Yes. Many perennials, native plants, herbs, and annuals can be planted in August with consistent watering while their roots become established.

Visit Us

Whether you’re creating a new pollinator garden, adding colorful perennials, planting native species, or refreshing containers, Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery has everything you need to keep your landscape blooming and buzzing into fall.

Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery
178 Airport Road
Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Phone: (908) 852-7314
Email: info@donaldsongreenhouse.com

Current Hours
Monday through Saturday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Visit us and let our knowledgeable team help you choose beautiful, pollinator-friendly plants for a healthier and more vibrant garden.

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