Fall and Winter

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 and Scarlet Sage are some of the first blooming natives, starting in February,

Here is quick alphabetical listing of Fall and Winter blooming pollinators:

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 May 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 nectar and pollen to butterflies and bees
Larval host plant to Cloudless Giant Sulphur
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

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/

Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea

Provides nectar to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds
A seed source for birds
Blooms April to September
For more information on Purple Coneflower: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/echinacea-purpurea/

Small 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 October
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
Blooms June to November
For more information on Turk’s Cap: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/malvaviscus-arboreus-var-drummondii/

Horsemint (Lemon Bee Balm)
Monarda citriodora

Provides nectar to butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds and nectar insects
Larval host to Spicebush Swallowtail.
Blooms May to October
For more information on Horsemint (Lemon Bee Balm): https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/monarda-citriodora/

Pink Primrose
Oenothera speciosa

Provide nectar for bees
Seed source for birds and small mammals
Blooms February to October
For more information on Pink Primrose: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/oenothera-speciosa/

Texas Frogfruit
Phyla nodiflora

Provides nectar to butterflies and nectar insects
 Larval Host to Buckeye, Phaon Crescentspot 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
A seed source for birds
Blooms May to November
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 November
For more information of Low Ruellia/Wild Petunia: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/ruellia-humilis/

Scarlet Sage
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 July to November
For more information on Heath Aster: https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/symphyotrichum-ericoides/