Native Southeast Texas pollinators that bloom during the fall and into the early winter are essential to migrating pollinators. Some of these natives will bloom until the first frost. Red Salvia/Scarlet Sage and Winecup are some of the first blooming natives, starting in February,
Here is a quick alphabetical listing of Fall and Winter blooming pollinators:
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Blue Mist Flower
- Butterfly Milkweed
- Fall Obedient Plant
- Green Milkweed
- Heath Aster
- Indian Blanket / Firewheel
- Low Ruellia/Wild Petunia
- Mealy Blue Sage
- Mexican Hat
- Partridge Pea
- Plains Coreopsis
- Prairie Verbena
- Scarlet Sage
- Small Bluebell Gentian
- Swamp Milkweed
- Texas Frogfruit
- Turk’s Cap
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepius tuberosa
Provides nectar to butterflies, native and non-native bees and hummingbirds
Larval host to Monarch, Queen and Grey Hairstreak butterflies
Blooms April to September
For more information on Butterfly Milkweed: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/asclepias-tuberosa/
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Provides nectar for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds
Larval host to Queen and Monarch butterflies
Blooms June to October
For more information on Swamp Milkweed: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/asclepias-incarnata/
Green Milkweed
Asclepsis viridis
Provides nectar to butterflies, moths and native and non-native bees
Larval host to Monarch and Queen butterflies
Blooms April to September
For more information on Green Milkweed: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/asclepias-viridis/
Partridge Pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata
Provides pollen to butterflies and bees
Larval host plant to Cloudless Giant Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, and Sleepy Orange
A seed source for birds
Blooms mainly June through October
For more information on Partridge Pea: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/chamaecrista-fasciculata/
Blue Mist Flower
Conoclinium coelestinum
Provides nectar to butterflies and bees
Blooms April to December
For more information on Blue Mist Flower: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/conoclinium-coelestinum/
Plains Coreopsis
Coreopsis tinctoria
Provides nectar to butterflies, bees and insect pollinators
A seed source for birds
Blooms mainly April to October (Can bloom all year)
For more information on Plains Coreopsis: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/coreopsis-tinctoria/
Small Bluebell/Texas Bluebell (Seaside Gentian)
Eustoma exaltatum
Provides nectar for butterflies and bees
Seed source for birds
Blooms June to September
For more information on Small Bluebell: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/eustoma-exaltatum/
Indian Blanket / Firewheel
Gaillardia pulchella
Provides nectar to butterflies and bees
Blooms April to frost
For more information on Firewheel (Indian Blanket): https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/gaillardia-pulchella/
Prairie Verbena
Glandularia bipinnatifida
Provides nectar to butterflies and nectar insects
A seed source for birds
Blooms March to frost
For more information on Prairie Verbena: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/glandularia-bipinnatifida/
Turk’s Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus
Provides nectar to butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees
Larval host to Skippers and Scrub Hairstreak
Blooms April to frost
For more information on Turk’s Cap: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/malvaviscus-arboreus-var-drummondii/
Texas Frogfruit
Phyla nodiflora
Provides nectar to butterflies and nectar insects
Larval Host to Buckeye, Phaon Crescentspot, Buckeye and White Peacock butterflies
Blooms March to November
For more information on Frogfruit: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/phyla-nodiflora/
Fall Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Provides nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds
Blooms August to November
For more information of Fall Obedient Plant: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/physostegia-virginiana/
Mexican Hat
Ratibida columnifera
Provides nectar to butterflies, bees and nectar insects
A seed source for birds
Blooms May to October
For more information of Mexican Hat: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/ratibida-columnifera/
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Provides nectar to butterflies, bees and nectar insects
Larval host for Gorgone Checkerspot and Bordered Patch
A seed source for birds
Blooms June to October
For more information of Black-Eyed Susan: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/rudbeckia-hirta/
Low Ruellia/Wild Petunia
Ruellia humilis
Provides nectar to butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and bees
Larval host to Buckeye and Common Wood Nymph
Blooms May to September
For more information of Low Ruellia/Wild Petunia: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/ruellia-humilis/
Scarlet Sage/Red Salvia
Salvia coccinea
Provides nectar to butterflies, hummingbirds and bees
Blooms February to October
For more information on Scarlet Sage: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/salvia-coccinea/
Mealy Blue Sage
Salvia farinacea
Provides nectar to butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees
A seed source for birds
Blooms April to Frost
For more information on Mealy Blue Sage: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/salvia-farinacea/
Heath Aster
Symphyotrichum ericoides
Provides nectar for butterflies, moths and native bees
Larval host for Pearl Crescent butterfly and the Wavy-Lined Emerald moth
Blooms September to November
For more information on Heath Aster: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/symphyotrichum-ericoides/