As the vibrant blooms of spring and summer fade, it might seem like the garden is ready to take a well-deserved rest. But for our essential pollinators—bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects—the work is far from over. By planting a fall garden that continues to offer food and shelter, you can support these vital creatures through the colder months by providing food stores for overwintering, ensuring they return to your garden year after year. Plus, the autumnal beauty of these plants offers a stunning visual reward that extends well beyond the typical gardening season.
The Importance of Pollinators
Pollinators play a crucial role in our ecosystem, helping to fertilize plants by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This process is essential for the production of fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Without pollinators, many of the foods we enjoy and the plants we rely on would simply not exist. At Bees N Blooms, we’re passionate about creating a sanctuary for these creatures, and extending that sanctuary by providing pollinator-friendly plants for your garden!
The Beauty of Fall Gardens
While many people think of spring and summer as the peak seasons for garden beauty, a well-planned fall garden can be just as breathtaking. The rich hues of autumn—think deep purples, warm yellows, and fiery oranges—offer a unique and captivating color palette. By planting perennials that bloom in the fall, you’re not only providing food for pollinators but also creating a garden that bursts with color long after the peak of summer.
Easy Maintenance and Perennial Benefits
One of the joys of a fall garden is its ease of maintenance. Once planted, many fall-blooming perennials require minimal care, making them an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels. Perennials, in particular, are a fantastic investment; they return year after year, growing stronger and more beautiful each season. By choosing plants that thrive in the fall, you’re setting the stage for a garden that supports pollinators through the seasons while reducing the need for constant replanting.
Top Picks for a Pollinator-Friendly Fall Garden
Here are some of our favorite fall-blooming plants that not only add beauty to your garden but also provide essential resources for pollinators:
Asters: These daisy-like flowers come in shades of pink, purple, and blue, and are a magnet for bees and butterflies. The Frikart Aster (‘Monch’) blooms in late August and September, offering a crucial food source when other flowers have faded. Landscape Tip: Asters grow in clumps and reach about 2-3 feet tall, making them perfect for mid-height borders or to fill in gaps between taller plants.
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan): Known for their season-long profusion of bright yellow blooms, Rudbeckia plants are not only stunning but also incredibly hardy. They attract a variety of pollinators and add a cheerful splash of color to the autumn garden. Landscape Tip: Rudbeckia can grow up to 3 feet tall, making them ideal for creating eye-catching hedgerows or as a tall, bright accent in a mixed perennial bed.
Lantanas: Loved by butterflies, Lantanas offer clusters of vibrant flowers in various colors. These tough plants thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall and continue to bloom until the first frost. Landscape Tip: Lantanas are low-growing, spreading shrubs that typically reach 1-2 feet in height and 3 feet in width, making them excellent for low borders, ground cover, or as a bright shrub in a container garden.
Coyote Mint: With its purple pom-pom flowers, Coyote Mint is a favorite among bees and butterflies. This drought-tolerant plant is perfect for fall, offering a burst of color and fragrance that lasts well into the cooler months. Landscape Tip: Coyote Mint is a low-growing plant, reaching about 1-2 feet in height, making it perfect for ground cover or as an attractive low border plant.
In addition to these, consider adding the following plants to your fall garden for an even more diverse and resilient pollinator habitat:
– Agastache
– Goldenrod
– Echinacea (Coneflower)
– Salvia
Each of these plants offers unique benefits to pollinators, providing nectar, pollen, and habitat during a time when resources can be scarce.
Lavender: The Classic Beauty of Bees N Blooms
No discussion of pollinator-friendly gardens would be complete without mentioning the classic elegance of lavender. At Bees N Blooms, we take pride in our stunning French and English lavenders, the stars of our Lavender Labyrinth and flower farm. These perennials are not only visually striking but also beloved by bees and butterflies, making them a cornerstone of any pollinator garden.
French Lavender: Known for its long stems and fragrant light purple flowers, French lavender is perfect for creating a low, aromatic hedge or border. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an easy-to-care-for addition to your garden. In Northern California, French lavenders bloom from about mid-June to mid-July.
English Lavender: With its dense, compact growth and richly colored flowers, English lavender is ideal for creating formal hedgerows or as a focal point in a perennial bed. Its blooms attract a wide range of pollinators and provide a continuous source of nectar from mid-May through late June.
Planting a fall garden is a simple yet powerful way to support pollinators, beautify your landscape, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your garden is thriving year-round. By incorporating a mix of fall-blooming perennials and the timeless beauty of lavender, you’ll create a haven for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, ensuring they have what they need to survive and return each spring. And as the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisp, your garden will stand as a vibrant testament to the beauty and importance of nurturing our pollinator friends throughout the seasons.
At Bees N Blooms, we’re committed to fostering a deep connection between our gardens and the natural world. This fall, let’s continue to grow, bloom, and buzz together.
Shop our online plant store here for Fall favorites and stop by in-person to shop our nursery, tour the garden, and envision your dreamy pollinator paradise Fridays-Sundays, 10am-4pm, September 6-October 13th.
