Native Plants and Pollinators: Matchmaking in the Garden
For most of us, late Spring becomes a time when the chance of a hard frost has passed, and we're eager to dig in and begin, or finish, our Spring cleanup in the garden. That especially true if you live in the Northeast as I do. The majority of my clients are based here in NYC or in the tri-state area.
If you've been reading along with this 5-part series on The Gentle Art of Ecological Spring Clean-up, you'll know that patience is key to supporting our garden's vital residents.
As a quick recap of our best practices for leaving stems up in the garden:
Wait until temperatures consistently reach 50°F (10°C) before cutting back stems. Many native bees and butterflies remain inside dead stems until spring warmth triggers emergence.
When cutting back, leave 12-18” of stem standing. This allows new plant growth while preserving nesting sites for another season.
Bundle stems and place in an undisturbed area. If you must remove stems, tie them in loose bundles and leave them upright in a quiet spot so emerging insects can still exit.
Use selective pruning. Instead of cutting everything at once, stagger cutbacks to preserve habitat longer.
Now onto the good stuff! This final post in the series has been my favorite to write because I get to share some specific plants, pollinators, and birds that benefit from our patience in the garden during this crucial season. Knowledge is empowering and inspiring. Ecological gardening isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about understanding the intricate web of life, helping us enjoy our garden in an entirely new way.
The list below provides examples of common plants native to the Northeast that benefit from a delayed spring cutback because they provide critical habitat for overwintering insects such as native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. I am based in New York City, but many of these plants aren't just limited to my ecoregion but can be found throughout the United States.
Hollow-Stemmed and Pithy-Stemmed Perennials
These plants support solitary bees and other beneficial insects that overwinter inside their stems:
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Eutrochium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed) – Tall stems with pithy centers; supports bees and butterflies.
Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet Joe-Pye Weed) – Similar to Spotted Joe-Pye Weed, with strong stems ideal for cavity-nesting insects.
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root) – Hollow stems provide nesting habitat for solitary bees.
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster) – Supports overwintering pollinators in its stems and provides seeds for birds.
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Aster) – Similar to New England Aster, with pithy stems ideal for small nesting bees.
Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) – Supports early emerging pollinators and provides pithy stems for sheltering insects.
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) – Hollow stems attract nesting bees and shelter overwintering insects.
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint) – Pithy stems serve as nesting sites for small native bees.
Native Grasses and Sedges
These plants support overwintering insects:
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) – Bunching grass that shelters ground-nesting bees and supports overwintering insects.
Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) – Provides dense cover for beneficial insects.
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) – Supports overwintering insects and offers nesting habitat.
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge) – Early-spring pollinator habitat in woodland settings.
Shrubs with Pithy Stems
These shrubs support beneficial insects:
Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny Blackberry) – Hollow pithy stems serve as nesting sites for small native bees.
Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry) – Pithy-stemmed shrub that supports cavity-nesting bees.
Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood) – Provides nesting habitat for pollinators and food for birds.
Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea) – Supports early-emerging pollinators with flowers and provides overwintering shelter in stems.
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) – Provides important shelter for native bees and butterflies.
Matchmaking: Native Bees and Their Favorite Plants
Here are some native solitary nesting pollinators and the native plants they love:
Small Carpenter Bees (Ceratina spp.) – Nest in pithy stems.
Example Plants: Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot), Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry)
Mason Bees (Osmia spp.) – Early-season pollinators; nest in stems.
Example Plants: Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet Joe-Pye Weed), Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood)
Leafcutter Bees (Megachile spp.) – Use plant materials for nests.
Example Plants: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster), Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny Blackberry)
Cellophane Bees (Colletes spp.) – Important early-spring pollinators.
Example Plants: Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders), Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint)
Resin Bees (Heriades spp.) – Use old plant stems for nesting.
Example Plants: Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea), Eutrochium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed)
Matchmaking: Native Butterflies and Moths and Their Essential Spring Plants
These beautiful native butterflies and moths need our native plants in the Spring:
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) – Overwinters as a chrysalis.
Example Plants: Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush), Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) – Overwinters in warmer regions but uses stem cover during migration.
Example Plants: Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)
Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) – Overwinters as an adult in plant debris.
Example Plants: Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry), Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood)
Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis) – A sphinx moth whose larvae overwinter in leaf litter.
Example Plants: Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny Blackberry), Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Aster)
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) – Uses plant debris for pupation.
Example Plants: Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root), Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Matchmaking: Native Beetles, Hoverflies, Wasps, and Other Beneficial Insects
These insects play a vital role as pollinators and in pest control:
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus) – Overwinters in plant debris.
Example Plants: Eutrochium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed), Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)
Bumble Flower Beetle (Euphoria inda) – A beneficial decomposer beetle.
Example Plants: Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass), Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
Lady Beetles (Coccinellidae spp.) – Overwinter in plant stems and leaf litter.
Example Plants: Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders), Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint)
Longhorn Beetles (Cerambycidae spp.) – Larvae tunnel in old plant stems.
Example Plants: Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood), Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry)
Fireflies (Photinus spp.) – Larvae overwinter in plant debris.
Example Plants: Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem), Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge)
Hoverflies / Syrphid flies (Syrphidae spp.) – Pollinators whose larvae control aphids.
Example Plants: Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry), Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood), Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster), Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root)
Braconid Wasps (Braconidae spp.) – Parasitic wasps that control pests.
Example Plants: Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet Joe-Pye Weed), Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)
Tachinid Flies (Tachinidae spp.) – Control pest insects.
Example Plants: Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders), Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
Paper Wasps (Polistes spp.) – Overwinter in plant stems and are beneficial predators.
Example Plants: Eutrochium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed), Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny Blackberry)
Lacewings (Chrysopidae spp.) – Larvae eat aphids and overwinter in plant debris.
Example Plants: Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint), Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Key Takeaways for Supporting Beneficial Insects in Spring
Many native solitary bees use hollow stems for nesting.
Butterflies and moths overwinter as chrysalises or pupae inside stems or in leaf litter.
Beetles and fireflies rely on plant debris for shelter and reproduction.
Hoverflies, wasps, and lacewings provide pollination and natural pest control.
Let’s Talk Birds!
Many native plants in the Northeast produce persistent seed heads or berries that provide critical winter and early Spring food sources for birds. These plants should be left standing until late Spring to support migratory and overwintering species.
Seed Heads that Feed Birds in Late Winter and Early Spring:
Eutrochium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed) – Goldfinches eat the tiny seeds well into spring.
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster) – Provides late-winter seeds for finches and sparrows.
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Aster) – A crucial food source for overwintering birds.
Solidago spp. (Goldenrods) – Finches, juncos, and sparrows feed on the small seeds.
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root) – Seed heads remain intact, feeding songbirds.
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) – Attracts chickadees and goldfinches.
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (Slender Mountain Mint) – Seeds sustain small birds in early spring.
Rudbeckia laciniata (Green-headed Coneflower) – Provides small seeds for songbirds.
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan) – Goldfinches and sparrows rely on these seeds.
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) – A favorite of finches throughout winter.
Helianthus divaricatus (Woodland Sunflower) – Seeds persist into spring, feeding birds.
Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant) – Large, nutritious seeds attract goldfinches.
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) – Seeds feed sparrows and juncos.
Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) – An important seed source for birds.
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) – Provides small seeds for ground-feeding birds.
Many native shrubs and trees retain their berries into late winter and early spring, providing food for robins, bluebirds, waxwings, thrushes, and woodpeckers:
Native Berries that Should Be Left for the Birds:
Viburnum trilobum (American Cranberrybush Viburnum) – Berries soften in late winter, making them more palatable to birds.
Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry) – Some berries persist into winter and provide critical nutrients.
Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood) – Berries are a late-winter food source for waxwings and bluebirds.
Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) – A favorite of overwintering thrushes and waxwings.
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly) – Provides essential food for robins and cedar waxwings.
Amelanchier spp. (Serviceberry) – Early-emerging birds rely on leftover berries from winter.
Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac) – Berries persist well into spring, feeding cardinals and woodpeckers.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) – Bluebirds and waxwings eat the berries late into the season.
Gaylussacia baccata (Black Huckleberry) – A key food source for early-spring birds.
Vaccinium corymbosum (Highbush Blueberry) – Overwintering berries sustain many bird species.
Key Takeaways for Supporting Birds in Spring
Delay pruning seed heads and shrubs until mid-to-late spring.
Leave dead stalks standing at least through early migration periods (April-May).
Observe which plants birds are feeding on before cutting back.
If removing stems, place them in a protected area so birds and insects can continue to benefit.
Holistic Ecological Gardening: Beyond the Stems
As you've learned throughout this series, creating a truly thriving wildlife habitat extends beyond just leaving plant material. For a more complete ecological garden, consider these complementary practices:
Embrace Leaf Litter: Don't underestimate the power of fallen leaves! A blanket of leaf litter in your garden beds and under shrubs provides crucial insulation for plants and, more importantly, a vital overwintering haven for countless beneficial insects, including many butterfly and moth pupae, beetles, and spiders. It's nature's perfect mulch and nursery all in one.
Mind Your Soil: Many native bees are ground-nesters, spending their winters just beneath the surface. To protect these essential pollinators, minimize soil disturbance in your garden beds during spring. Tilling or aggressive digging can inadvertently destroy their precious underground nests. Embracing a "no-dig" or minimal-dig approach also builds healthier, more resilient soil over time.
Offer Fresh Water: As spring temperatures rise and your garden inhabitants become more active, a shallow water source becomes a lifeline. A simple bird bath with a few stones or pebbles provides a safe landing spot for bees, butterflies, and other thirsty creatures to drink without drowning.
Say No to Chemicals: This is a fundamental principle of ecological gardening. The deliberate choice to avoid synthetic pesticides and herbicides is absolutely critical. These chemicals can harm not only the intended pests but also the beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife you are working so diligently to attract and support. Your chemical-free garden becomes a truly safe and vibrant sanctuary.
Cultivate a Year-Round Sanctuary: Ecological gardening isn't just about spring cleanup; it's a continuous journey. By maintaining diverse plant selections that offer continuous blooms from early spring to late fall, providing various plant structures, and allowing plants to go to seed, you create a dynamic and supportive environment throughout every season. Your patience and informed choices truly make a difference.
I hoped you’ve enjoyed “The Gentle Art of Ecological Spring Clean-up in the Garden” series and now feel empowered to make wise decisions in your garden that will benefit bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. If you’ve never tried any of the plants mentioned in this post, please consider adding one or more to your garden this year. Nature will thank you!
Just jumping in now? Catch up on now on the Gentle Art of Ecological Spring Garden Clean Up with New Habits, A Simple Schedule, 6 Reasons Why, and Matrix and Plant Community Layers. Make sure to not miss out on the next post by signing up below.
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