What To Plant For Pollinators In Vermont Landscapes

Vermont is fortunate to support a wide array of pollinators: native bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, hoverflies and beetles. Thoughtful planting of native and pollinator-friendly species across seasons creates continuous food, nesting opportunities and shelter. This guide lays out what to plant, where to plant it, and how to manage landscapes in Vermont to maximize pollinator health and biodiversity, with practical, site-specific recommendations you can use this season.

Why plant for pollinators in Vermont?

Pollinators provide essential ecosystem services — crop pollination, seed set for native plants, and support for wildlife food webs. Vermont’s mix of forests, farmland and small towns makes yards and community spaces important refuges. Native plants are adapted to local soils and climate, they flower when pollinators need them, and they support specialist species (for example, many native moth and butterfly larvae feed only on specific host plants).

Principles of plant selection

A few core principles will guide successful pollinator plantings in Vermont:

• Plant native species whenever possible. They best support local insect life cycles.
• Provide bloom succession. Include early spring, summer and fall bloomers so nectar and pollen are available throughout the active season.
• Use groups and drifts. Pollinators find and prefer larger patches of the same species rather than single specimens scattered around.
• Provide diverse flower shapes and colors. Different pollinators prefer different morphologies: tubular flowers for hummingbirds and long-tongued bees, flat composite flowers for short-tongued bees and butterflies.
• Create nesting and overwintering habitat. Leave bare ground patches, stem piles, standing dead stems and brush to support bees, butterflies and moths between seasons.

Key native trees and shrubs that feed pollinators

Trees and shrubs are major early-season resources and provide pollen and nectar when few herbaceous plants are blooming.

Trees

• Red maple (Acer rubrum): early nectar and pollen for bees and flies.
• Willow species (Salix spp.): crucial for early-emerging bees; plant multiple species for long bloom.
• Basswood / American linden (Tilia americana): abundant nectar; attracts many bees and bumblebees.
• Black cherry (Prunus serotina) and other native Prunus: spring flowers for generalist pollinators.

Shrubs

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): early spring flowers and later fruit for birds.
• Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium): shrubs with showy spring blossoms that support bees; also provide fruit.
• Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): summer flowers attract flies, bees and butterflies.
• Viburnum and native roses: multi-season value and good nectar sources.

Perennials and herbaceous plants by season

One of the most effective strategies is to plan for continuous bloom. Below are recommended species grouped by season and function.

Early spring (March-May)

• Willow (Salix spp.) catkins
• Red maple (Acer rubrum)
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
• Early woodland wildflowers: bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica)
• Crocus and native bulbs for early bees (choose species hardy to USDA zone for Vermont)

Late spring to early summer (May-June)

• Wild black cherry (Prunus spp.)
• Phlox divaricata (woodland phlox)
• Penstemon hirsutus (beardtongue)
• Penstemon digitalis
• Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
• Native geraniums (Geranium maculatum)

Summer (June-August)

• Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower)
• Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan)
• Asclepias syriaca and A. tuberosa (common and butterfly milkweed): milkweeds are essential monarch host plants.
• Monarda punctata and other bee balms
• Coreopsis lanceolata
• Thyme, borage and other herbs for pollinators in garden beds

Late summer to fall (August-October)

• Goldenrods (Solidago spp.): critical late-season nectar sources for bees, wasps, flies and butterflies.
• New England aster and other asters (Symphyotrichum spp.): nectar and pollen for migrating monarchs and late bees.
• Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium spp.): tall, late-summer nectar source for butterflies.

Native grasses, groundcovers and wetland plants

• Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): supports nesting and structure in meadows.
• Sedges (Carex spp.): host plants for specialist moths, and good groundcover in wetter areas.
• Iris versicolor (blue flag) and Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed): for pollinators near ponds and wet areas.
• Phlox subulata (creeping phlox) and low thyme as early-season groundcovers in sunny, well-drained soils.

Planting design and spacing tips

• Group plants in clumps of 3, 5 or more of the same species. Aim for 3 to 7 strong clumps of any single species in a typical yard to be attractive to pollinators.
• Create layers: canopy (trees), understory (shrubs), herbaceous layer. This increases habitat complexity.
• Edge plantings: place pollinator-friendly plants along fence lines, hedgerows and meadow edges where they connect to natural areas.
• Meadow conversion steps: mow existing lawn low in early spring, lightly scarify topsoil in target area, sow native meadow seed mix appropriate to your site, and avoid fertilizing. Manage by mowing once or twice a year after seed set or using targeted brush cutting.

Small-yard and container strategies

If you have limited space, containers and window boxes can still support pollinators.

• Use larger containers to allow multiple plants and better soil moisture retention.
• Choose compact, pollinator-friendly varieties: container bee balm, dwarf Echinacea, zinnias, calendula, and herbs like thyme and borage.
• Place containers in full sun and group them to create a dense floral display.

Nesting and shelter: more than just flowers

Flowering plants supply food but not all pollinators nest in hollow stems or use flowers for shelter. Provide structural habitat:

• Leave a patch of bare, well-drained soil 2 to 6 square feet for ground-nesting bees.
• Keep hollow stems or cut last year’s flower stalks in spring; many solitary bees nest in pithy stems or abandoned beetle holes.
• Build or install bee blocks drilled with holes 3 to 8 mm in diameter and 2 to 6 inches deep; face them southeast where protected from heavy rain.
• Leave brush piles, rock piles and clumps of coarse grass for overwintering butterflies and moths.

Pesticide and maintenance recommendations

• Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides, especially neonicotinoids. If insect control is necessary, use targeted, least-toxic methods and apply in early morning or late evening when pollinators are less active.
• Mow less frequently. For meadows, mow once in late fall or early spring to protect insects overwintering in stems.
• Water: provide shallow water sources with gravel or stones for bees to land on.
• Deadhead selectively: allow some seed heads to remain through fall to feed birds and provide structure for overwintering insects.

Specific planting plans by yard type

Small urban yard (sunny, 20 x 30 ft): plant a row of five Echinacea and five Rudbeckia in a sunny bed, add two highbush blueberry shrubs at the back, and containers of thyme and borage by the patio. Leave a 2 x 3 ft bare soil patch and a bee block on a south-facing fence.
Suburban yard with shade: include Phlox divaricata, Geranium maculatum, native viburnum and serviceberry. Add spring bulbs and plant red maple or native crabapple for early blooms.
Streamside or wetland edge: use native willows, blue flag iris, Joe-Pye weed and hardy sedges. Avoid planting invasive ornamental species along the margin.

Quick plant lists to get started (easy, region-appropriate)

• Early-season: Salix spp. (willow), Acer rubrum (red maple), Amelanchier spp. (serviceberry)
• Summer staples: Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot), Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia hirta, Asclepias spp. (milkweed)
• Late-season powerhouses: Solidago spp. (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum spp. (asters), Eutrochium spp. (Joe-Pye weed)

Final practical takeaways

• Start small and expand: establish a focal pollinator bed in year one and add more drifts in subsequent seasons.
• Choose native species suited to your soil moisture and light conditions rather than forcing plants into unsuitable spots.
• Plant in groups and plan for continuous bloom from spring through fall.
• Provide nesting habitat and leave some natural debris; reduce mowing and avoid pesticides.
• Monitor and adapt: observe which flowers attract pollinators in your yard and increase those plantings over time.

Creating a pollinator-friendly landscape in Vermont is both feasible and rewarding. By selecting native trees, shrubs and perennials that bloom in sequence, grouping plants into visible patches, and providing nesting shelter, you create a living corridor of resources for bees, butterflies and other pollinators that supports ecological resilience and enhances the beauty of your yard. Start with a few key species this season and build toward a diverse, year-round habitat.