As summer begins to transition toward fall in southeastern Pennsylvania, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators are still busy 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 long-blooming perennials, native plants, flowering herbs, and colorful 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 continue blooming as many earlier flowers begin to fade, helping support bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into fall.
Add Pennsylvania Native Plants
Native plants are naturally suited to local growing conditions and play an important role in supporting regional wildlife.
Consider planting:
- New England Aster
- Joe Pye Weed
- Goldenrod
- Blazing Star
- Mountain Mint
- Native Milkweed
Native plants provide nectar, pollen, shelter, and host material for butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial insects.
Let Herbs Flower
Many culinary herbs become excellent nectar sources when allowed to bloom.
Leave a few stems unharvested on:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Chives
- Lavender
- Mint
Their small flowers attract pollinators while adding fragrance, texture, and beauty to the garden.
Keep Annual Color Going
Annuals can quickly fill open spaces in garden beds and containers while providing continuous blooms.
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 find flowers more easily when several plants of the same variety are grouped together.
Planting in clusters creates a stronger visual display while giving bees and butterflies an efficient place to collect nectar and pollen.
Provide Water and Shelter
Pollinators need more than flowers to thrive.
Create a welcoming habitat by:
- Providing a shallow water source
- Leaving some perennial seed heads standing
- Adding shrubs and ornamental grasses for shelter
- Including flat stones where butterflies can rest
- Limiting pesticide use whenever possible
Even a small garden or container planting can provide valuable support.
Plan for Continuous Blooms
The best pollinator gardens offer flowers 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?
Yes. Basil, oregano, thyme, lavender, chives, and mint become valuable nectar sources when allowed to flower.
Should I deadhead pollinator plants?
Deadheading annuals encourages continued blooming. Later in the season, consider leaving some perennial seed heads standing to provide food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects.
Can I still plant pollinator-friendly plants?
Absolutely. Many perennials, native plants, herbs, and annuals can be planted in late summer with consistent watering while they become established.
Visit Us
Whether you’re creating a new pollinator garden, adding colorful perennials, planting native species, or refreshing containers, Marrazzo’s Garden Center has everything you need to keep your landscape blooming and buzzing into fall.
Marrazzo’s Garden Center
591 Durham Road
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone: (215) 295-6662
Summer Hours
Monday through Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Visit us today and let our knowledgeable team help you choose beautiful, pollinator-friendly plants for a healthier and more vibrant landscape.
