Pennsylvania’s gardens don’t exist in isolation. What you plant determines which bees, butterflies, beetles, and beneficial insects show up — and those insects determine how much fruit your blueberries set, whether your tomatoes produce well, and whether pest populations stay in check naturally. The relationship between pollinators and a productive Pennsylvania garden is direct and measurable, yet most home gardeners dramatically underinvest in the plants that support it.
Pennsylvania is home to over 400 native bee species — far more than most gardeners realize — along with dozens of butterfly species, numerous hoverfly and beetle species, and the managed honeybee. Each group has different needs in terms of flower shape, bloom timing, and nesting habitat. The most effective pollinator gardens in PA provide continuous bloom from early April through October and include a mix of native perennials, flowering annuals, herbs, and woody plants. This guide covers the best plants for each category, a seasonal bloom calendar for PA’s growing zones, and practical guidance for building a pollinator garden that genuinely works.
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PA Pollinator Bloom Season
Early spring bloom
Peak bloom season
Mid-to-late summer bloom
Critical fall bloom
Seed heads / structure
Why Pollinators Matter in Pennsylvania Gardens
Pollination is not just an ecological nicety — it directly determines the yield of a large portion of what Pennsylvania home gardeners grow. Blueberries require cross-pollination between multiple plants to set fruit well, and native bumblebees are significantly more effective pollinators for blueberries than managed honeybees because they perform “buzz pollination” — vibrating at a frequency that releases pollen more completely from blueberry flowers. Strawberries, cucumbers, squash, peppers, and beans all produce better when well-pollinated, and an abundant population of native pollinators provides this service for free when the habitat is present.
The practical stakes are real. Research summarized by Penn State Extension indicates that native bee communities in Pennsylvania have declined significantly over the past two decades, driven by habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and the displacement of native plant communities. For gardeners growing blueberries in Pennsylvania or other pollinator-dependent crops, a well-planted pollinator garden within a few hundred feet of the planting is a measurable productivity investment, not just aesthetics.
Beyond direct pollination, a diverse insect community provides pest control. Parasitic wasps, predatory beetles, hoverfly larvae, and lacewing adults all feed on common PA garden pests — aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, and thrips among them. These beneficial insects need nectar and pollen from flowers to complete their life cycles, which means that a garden with abundant flowering plants carries a different pest profile than one dominated by edible plants alone. The relationship compounds: more flowers bring more beneficial insects, which reduce pest pressure, which reduces the need for pesticides that would otherwise harm the pollinators you’re trying to attract.
Pennsylvania’s Native Bee Species
Most Pennsylvania gardeners think of honeybees when they think about pollinators — but honeybees are European imports and represent only one of more than 400 bee species native to Pennsylvania. Understanding which bees you’re trying to support helps you make better plant choices.
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are the most recognizable native bees in PA and among the most important for home gardens. They’re large, powerful, and capable of buzz pollination that other bees can’t perform. Pennsylvania has roughly a dozen native bumblebee species, several of which are in significant decline. Bumblebees are generalist foragers that visit a wide range of flowers; they nest in underground cavities (often abandoned rodent burrows) and need access to undisturbed ground.
Mining bees (Andrena spp.) are solitary ground-nesters that emerge very early in spring — often in late March or early April in most PA regions — and represent the earliest active pollinators in most gardens. They’re small, fast, and easy to overlook, but they’re critical pollinators for early-blooming fruit trees and spring-flowering shrubs. A patch of bare or minimally disturbed soil in a sunny location supports mining bee nesting.
Mason bees and leafcutter bees are cavity-nesters that use hollow stems, drilled wood, or purchased bee houses. Mason bees are exceptionally efficient orchard pollinators — one mason bee visits more flowers per hour than a honeybee and carries pollen more loosely, transferring it more effectively. Pennsylvania’s strawberry crops, both commercial and home garden, benefit substantially from mason bee populations.
Sweat bees (Halictidae family) are the small, often metallic-green bees that are common throughout Pennsylvania from late spring through fall. They’re generalist pollinators that visit an enormous range of flowers and are highly adaptable to suburban and urban garden conditions. Their small size allows them to access flowers that exclude larger bees.
Best Perennial Pollinator Plants for Pennsylvania
Native perennials are the backbone of an effective Pennsylvania pollinator garden. They require minimal annual planting effort once established, return reliably each year, and provide the kind of deep-rooted, long-lived habitat that supports nesting and overwintering insects as well as feeding them. The following perennials perform exceptionally well across Pennsylvania’s growing zones (5a–7a) and cover the full bloom season.
| Plant | Bloom Period | PA Hardiness | Best For | Growing Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) | April–June | Zones 3–8 | Ruby-throated hummingbirds; bumblebees | Thrives in partial shade; self-seeds freely; ideal under deciduous trees; native to PA woodlands |
| Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis) | May–June | Zones 3–9 | Bumblebees; specialist mining bees | Deep taproot; drought-tolerant once established; slow to establish but long-lived; great for PA clay |
| Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) | June–September | Zones 3–9 | Bees, butterflies; goldfinches eat seeds | Extremely adaptable; tolerates PA clay; leave seed heads for birds; grows 2–4 ft tall |
| Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | June–October | Zones 3–9 | Native bees; butterflies; beetles | Biennial or short-lived perennial; self-seeds vigorously; excellent in naturalized areas |
| Bee Balm / Bergamot (Monarda spp.) | July–August | Zones 3–9 | Hummingbirds; bumblebees; hawkmoths | Native to PA; spreads aggressively by rhizome; divide every 2–3 years to control; powdery mildew common in humid PA summers — select resistant varieties |
| Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) | July–August | Zones 3–8 | Monarch butterflies (essential host); many bees | Tolerates wet soil better than common milkweed; excellent for low-lying PA gardens; hosts monarch caterpillars |
| Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) | August–October | Zones 5–9 | Late-season bees; monarch butterflies en route | Critical fall bloom for departing monarchs; spreads by stolons; full sun to partial shade; good for PA clay |
| New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) | September–October | Zones 3–8 | Late-season bees; monarchs; swallowtails | One of the most important fall pollinators in PA; bumblebees rely on asters before hibernation; thrives across all PA zones |
| Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) | August–October | Zones 3–8 | 150+ insect species; honeybees winter prep | PA native; wrongly blamed for hay fever (ragweed is the culprit); aggressive spreader — plant in contained areas or naturalized zones; essential fall food source |
Best Annual Flowers for Pennsylvania Pollinator Gardens
Annuals fill gaps in the bloom calendar that perennials leave open and are particularly valuable for extending late-summer bloom into October when perennial displays are winding down. They also give Pennsylvania gardeners the flexibility to change color schemes and experiment with new plants each year. The following annuals are reliable performers in PA’s climate and are significant pollinator resources.
Zinnia is arguably the single best annual for Pennsylvania pollinator gardens. It blooms from late June through first frost, tolerates PA’s humid summers better than many annuals, and attracts an enormous diversity of butterflies — swallowtails, monarchs, fritillaries, and skippers all feed heavily on zinnias through late summer. Direct sow after last frost in late May in most PA regions. Tall varieties (18–24 inches) produce the largest flower heads and attract the most traffic; narrow-leaved zinnia (Z. angustifolia) is more powdery-mildew resistant in humid years.
Borage blooms prolifically from June through fall and is particularly attractive to bumblebees. Its star-shaped blue flowers are accessible to a wide range of bee species, and it self-seeds moderately, returning in the same spot each year without aggressive invasiveness. Borage is also edible — the flowers are a pleasant addition to salads and the young leaves are used in cooking — making it a useful bridge between the pollinator and herb garden.
Cosmos provides a long bloom period from July through October and thrives in Pennsylvania’s summer conditions without demanding much maintenance. It attracts bees and butterflies with open, accessible flowers. The fine foliage and airy habit also make it useful for filling space between other plants. Direct sow after last frost; thin to 12 inches apart. Cut flowers regularly to extend bloom; allow seed heads to form in October for goldfinch feeding and self-seeding.
Sunflower is a powerhouse pollinator plant for Pennsylvania’s warmer months. The large central disk provides landing space for bumblebees, sweat bees, and specialist sunflower bees (Melissodes spp.) that collect only sunflower pollen. Branching sunflower varieties bloom longer than single-stem types and are better suited to garden use. Let seed heads stand through fall and winter — they feed finches, chickadees, and other PA birds well into January.
Lantana is a tender perennial grown as an annual in Pennsylvania that is exceptional for butterflies, particularly swallowtails and skippers. Bloom from June through first hard frost provides consistent late-season color. Lantana tolerates the heat and humidity of PA summers without complaint and does not require deadheading. Note: plant in areas where it cannot escape to natural areas — lantana is invasive in southern states, though it does not overwinter in Pennsylvania’s climate.
The Pennsylvania Gardener’s Newsletter
Pollinator planting guides, seasonal garden tips, and plant recommendations for every PA growing zone.
Get seasonal reminders about when to plant pollinator perennials, which plants are blooming for bees right now in your PA zone, and how to create year-round habitat for Pennsylvania’s native bees and butterflies.
Herbs That Attract Pollinators in Pennsylvania
Culinary herbs are among the most productive pollinator plants available to Pennsylvania gardeners, precisely because they’re often allowed to flower — something that’s counterproductive for harvest quality but extremely beneficial for insects. A few bolted plants kept specifically for bloom can transform a vegetable garden’s pollinator activity.
Flowering basil attracts bumblebees intensely — a single plant in full bloom will have multiple bees working it at any moment in July and August. Chives flower in May and June when early-season pollinators are most active, providing one of the first nectar sources in the kitchen garden. Thyme flowers from June through August and is particularly valuable for small bees including sweat bees that can reach the shallow, accessible flowers. Oregano and marjoram bloom in midsummer and attract specialist bee species that many other plants don’t. According to the National Wildlife Federation, herbs in the mint family (which includes basil, thyme, oregano, and sage) are among the most reliably effective pollinator plants for home gardens across the United States, and Pennsylvania’s climate is ideal for all of them.
The practical approach: let a few plants of each herb bolt each season. In a kitchen herb bed, designate one plant per species for pollinators and harvest the rest normally. This provides diversity in bloom timing (chives in May, basil in July, oregano in August) and keeps pollinators returning to your garden throughout the season. For PA gardeners growing an extensive herb collection, the full range of options, planting times, and companion plants is covered in our Pennsylvania herb growing guide.
Trees and Shrubs for Pennsylvania Pollinators
Trees and shrubs are often overlooked in pollinator gardening discussions focused on flowers, but they provide the largest single-site resource available. A mature red maple in bloom produces more pollen and nectar in a single week than an entire garden of perennials. Native shrubs are particularly important for early-season pollinators that emerge before most flowers are open.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) is the premier early-season tree for Pennsylvania pollinators, blooming in April before most garden flowers. Mining bees that emerge in early spring depend heavily on serviceberry nectar. It also produces edible berries in June — attractive to birds and people — making it one of the most multi-functional trees available to PA gardeners. Thrives in full sun to part shade across all PA hardiness zones.
Native Willow (Salix spp.) blooms very early in March–April and is critical for queen bumblebees emerging from winter dormancy. Willows are among the top pollen sources for early-season bees in northeastern North America. Any PA waterway or low-lying wet area is appropriate — willows are highly adaptable and grow quickly in PA’s abundant moisture.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a native PA shrub that blooms July–August — a gap period when many other plants are past peak — with unusual spherical white flower heads that attract an exceptional diversity of insects, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and specialist native bees. Tolerates wet soil and partial shade; ideal for the wet, heavy-clay conditions common in Western and Northern PA.
Wild Bergamot and Spicebush are two additional native shrubs that provide important habitat. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) blooms in early April, before most shrubs, and hosts the beautiful Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly as a larval host plant — a species native to Pennsylvania. For the full list of trees that support Pennsylvania’s native ecology, see our guide to native trees for Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Pollinator Bloom Calendar
Continuous bloom from early spring through late fall is the single most important design principle for an effective Pennsylvania pollinator garden. Gaps in the bloom calendar — especially the critical early spring (when queens emerge) and late fall (when bees are building winter reserves) windows — undermine the benefit of even a well-planted summer garden.
| Month | What’s Blooming (PA) | Key Pollinators Active | Don’t Miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| March–April | Serviceberry, native willows, early bulbs (crocus, squill), maple trees, redbud | Mining bees; early bumblebee queens; overwintered butterflies | Early spring gap is critical — add serviceberry or native willow if nothing blooms before May in your garden |
| May | Wild columbine, chives, Virginia bluebells, wild geranium, viburnum, apple and cherry bloom | Bumblebees; mason bees; butterflies emerging; mining bees peak | Mason bees are most active now — have bee houses up by late April for full benefit during May bloom |
| June | Wild blue indigo, baptisia, catmint, coneflower, mountain mint, elderberry | Full bee community active; tiger swallowtail peak; first hummingbirds arrive | Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum) is one of the most visited plants in PA in June — consider adding if not already present |
| July | Bee balm, coneflower, zinnias, milkweed, black-eyed Susan, anise hyssop, cosmos | Monarch migration begins; all bumblebee species active; native bee diversity peaks | Milkweed is essential for monarch production — if you have space, plant at least 3 plants for meaningful caterpillar habitat |
| August | Goldenrod (early species), zinnias, sunflowers, Joe-Pye weed, ironweed, buttonbush | Monarch migration intensifying; bumblebees building winter reserves; hoverflies peak | Joe-Pye weed and ironweed provide excellent late-summer habitat for monarch-sized butterflies that are too large for smaller flowers |
| September–October | New England aster, goldenrod (peak), blue mistflower, obedient plant, witch hazel | Monarch peak migration through PA; bumblebee queens feeding before hibernation; specialist fall bees | Asters and goldenrod together in September–October are critically important — bumblebee queens entering hibernation require substantial late-season food stores; do not cut these plants back before mid-October |
Many PA gardeners reflexively deadhead and cut back flowering plants in September. Resist the urge with asters and goldenrod through October — bumblebee queens that will found next year’s colonies need these flowers to build fat reserves before hibernation. After mid-October, leave stems standing through winter to provide shelter for cavity-nesting bees and overwintering beneficial insects. Cutting dead stems to 8–12 inches in late March provides nesting habitat while keeping the garden neat.
Creating Pollinator Habitat in Pennsylvania Gardens
Plants alone do not make a pollinator garden. Insects also need nesting sites, water sources, and protection from pesticides. A few habitat elements add substantially to your garden’s value for local pollinators.
Nesting Habitat
About 70% of native bee species in Pennsylvania are ground-nesters, requiring access to bare or minimally covered soil in sunny locations. A patch of bare ground in a sunny, well-drained area — even a 2-foot square section — can support a colony of mining bees. Mulch is excellent for soil health but prevents ground-nesting bees from accessing the soil below; consider leaving un-mulched edges in sunny borders specifically for nesting access. Leaving areas of dry, sandy soil in a south-facing location mimics the natural nesting conditions that mining and digger bees prefer in Pennsylvania’s upland areas.
The remaining 30% of native bees in PA are cavity-nesters that use hollow plant stems or tunnels in wood. Leaving hollow-stemmed plants standing over winter (bee balm, coneflower, elderberry, goldenrod) provides nesting and overwintering sites for these species. Purchased bee houses filled with paper tube inserts or drilled wood blocks provide supplemental cavity nesting, particularly useful for mason bees in spring. Place bee houses facing south or southeast, 3–6 feet off the ground, away from weather exposure. The Xerces Society’s regional plant lists for the Mid-Atlantic region provide detailed guidance on which native plants support specific bee nesting habits in Pennsylvania.
Water
Bees need water year-round and can drown in bird baths with steep sides. A shallow dish with pebbles or marbles provides a safe landing surface. Butterflies prefer wet sand or mud for “puddling” — mineral and moisture uptake. A moist, slightly muddy area in a sunny spot serves both functions and attracts swallowtails and monarchs reliably.
Pesticide Management
No plant list compensates for systemic pesticide use. Neonicotinoid pesticides — imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam are common active ingredients — are taken up by plants through soil and expressed in pollen and nectar, making even pesticide-treated plants harmful to pollinators when blooming. If you’re buying plants from garden centers, confirm they’re not treated — many labeled “pollinator-friendly” still contain neonicotinoids. For pest problems in the garden, integrated pest management approaches (physical barriers, biological controls, targeted spot treatments on non-flowering plants) allow effective pest management while protecting pollinators.
Regional Pollinator Planting by PA Zone
Pennsylvania’s hardiness zones — from 5a in the northern mountains to 7a in the Philadelphia suburbs — create different planting windows, different native plant communities, and different dominant pollinator species. Select your region for zone-specific recommendations:
| PA Region | Zones | Bloom Season | Top Recommendations | Notable Pollinators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western PA (Pittsburgh, Allegheny & surrounding counties) | 5b–6b | Late April – mid-October | Buttonbush (tolerates wet clay), swamp milkweed, mountain mint, New England aster, native willows for early bloom; goldenrod along edges | Brown-belted bumblebee common; several specialist bees including sunflower specialist bees in late summer; Eastern tiger swallowtail abundant |
| Central PA (Harrisburg, Lancaster, State College) | 5b–6b | April – October | Wild bergamot, bee balm, wild columbine in shade; coneflower and black-eyed Susan in open areas; serviceberry for early bloom; ironweed for late | Good monarch corridor through Lancaster and York counties; diverse native bee community; active hummingbird population from May–September |
| Eastern PA (Philadelphia metro, Lehigh Valley, Bucks County) | 6a–7a | Late March – November | Zone 7a-tolerant options like Mexican sage in sheltered spots; extended season allows 8-month continuous bloom; include spicebush for swallowtail larval habitat; native oaks for specialist bee species | Highest diversity of all PA regions; urban heat island extends active season; accessible to monarch flyway; hummingbirds present from May through September |
| Northern PA (Poconos, NEPA, Potter County area) | 5a–5b | May – September (shorter) | Focus on compact, hardy native species: wild columbine, wild blue indigo, coneflower, New England aster; goldenrod critical for short-season fall bloom; native willows for early spring | Several bumblebee species of conservation concern present in northern PA; important corridor for migrating monarchs; spring peepers and mining bees emerge late (mid-May) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many pollinator plants do I need to make a difference?
Research on pollinator response to garden planting suggests that a minimum of 3 species blooming simultaneously, repeated across a planting area of at least 10 square feet, produces detectable pollinator response. More is always better — the goal is to build toward continuous bloom from April through October — but even a modest 4×6 planting with coneflower, black-eyed Susan, aster, and a few zinnia plants will attract measurably more pollinators than a garden without these plants. The biggest gains come from filling the early spring (before May) and late fall (September–October) bloom gaps, which are most likely to be empty in typical Pennsylvania garden designs.
2. Are non-native plants (like lavender) useful for Pennsylvania pollinators?
Non-native plants that produce accessible pollen and nectar — lavender, catmint, agastache, borage, and many annuals — are genuinely useful for generalist pollinators like bumblebees, honeybees, and many butterflies. They’re a net positive in any pollinator garden. The reason native plants are strongly preferred by ecologists is not that non-native flowers are harmful, but that native plants support specialist bee species and butterfly caterpillars that cannot use non-native plants at all. A native oak tree, for example, supports more than 500 caterpillar species; a non-native ornamental tree may support none. The practical recommendation: fill gaps in your bloom calendar with effective non-native plants while prioritizing natives for the bulk of your planting, especially in perennial borders and areas where you want permanent wildlife habitat.
3. Do double-flowered varieties of coneflower and black-eyed Susan work for pollinators?
No — double-flowered or fully double varieties of native plants like Echinacea and Rudbeckia are typically useless for pollinators. The breeding that creates extra petals usually comes at the expense of pollen-bearing stamens and accessible nectar structures. What looks like a more elaborate flower is functionally a dead end for bees. Use straight species or single-flowered varieties of native plants for pollinator benefit — ‘Magnus’ and ‘Kim’s Knee High’ are single-flowered Echinacea varieties that attract pollinators well. ‘Goldsturm’ is a reliable single-flowered Rudbeckia widely available in PA nurseries.
4. What’s the best single plant to add for pollinators in Pennsylvania?
If forced to choose one, New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) has the strongest argument. It blooms September–October when almost nothing else is flowering in most PA gardens, supports bumblebee queens building winter reserves, and is native throughout Pennsylvania. Second choice would be mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) for its extraordinary insect diversity across July and August. For gardeners with room for a tree or shrub, serviceberry provides early-season bloom that no herbaceous plant can match as effectively. The real answer, of course, is that the best plant is the one that fills the biggest gap in your current bloom calendar.
5. Will a pollinator garden attract more wasps and be dangerous?
Pollinator gardens do attract more wasps — but the vast majority of wasps visiting flowers are beneficial parasitic or predatory species that rarely sting and that provide significant pest control. The wasps that cause problems at picnics (yellowjackets and paper wasps) are not attracted to flowers for nectar — they’re attracted to exposed food and sweet drinks. Pollinators visiting garden flowers are focused on foraging and will not sting unless physically grabbed or trapped. Bumblebees are the most docile common bee in Pennsylvania gardens — they will forage inches from your hands without concern. The combination of more bees and more beneficial wasps in a pollinator garden typically means less pest damage to vegetables and ornamentals, not more danger.
6. When is the best time to plant native perennials in Pennsylvania?
Fall planting (late September through October) is actually ideal for most native perennials in Pennsylvania, though it’s less commonly practiced than spring planting. Fall-planted natives have all winter for root establishment, and they emerge in spring already anchored and ready to grow. This leads to significantly better first-year performance than spring-planted equivalents. Spring planting (after last frost, mid-April to late May depending on your PA region) is also reliable for most species. Native plants propagated and sold by local PA nurseries are generally better adapted than those sourced from national suppliers — local ecotype plants have genetic adaptations to Pennsylvania’s specific soil, pest, and climate conditions that make them more successful in the long run.
Continue Reading: Pennsylvania Garden Ecology
- Growing Raspberries in Pennsylvania — one of the most pollinator-dependent crops you can grow; combining raspberry beds with pollinator plantings dramatically improves yield and berry size
- Best Vegetables to Grow in Pennsylvania — plan your edible garden around pollinator-friendly choices; includes notes on which crops benefit most from native bee activity
- Pennsylvania Monthly Planting Guide — coordinate pollinator plant installation with your edible garden calendar; know what should be in the ground each month of the PA growing season
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