As August arrives in New York’s Hudson Valley, pollinators are still hard at work visiting flowers and gathering nectar before the growing season winds down. By choosing plants that continue blooming into fall, you can enjoy weeks of beautiful color while providing an important food source for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.
A garden filled with late-season blooms doesn’t just look beautiful. It helps support local wildlife when they need it most.
Choose Long-Blooming Perennials
Perennials provide dependable color year after year while attracting a wide variety of pollinators.
Excellent choices include:
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
- Salvia
- Sedum
- Bee Balm
- Asters
These favorites continue producing nectar well into the fall season.
Add Native Plants
Native plants are perfectly adapted to local growing conditions and play an important role in supporting regional pollinators.
Consider planting:
- New England Aster
- Joe Pye Weed
- Goldenrod
- Blazing Star (Liatris)
- Mountain Mint
- Native Milkweed
These plants provide food, shelter, and habitat for butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial insects.
Let Herbs Bloom
Many culinary herbs become pollinator magnets once they flower.
Try allowing a few plants to bloom, including:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Chives
- Lavender
- Mint
Their blossoms attract bees while adding beauty to herb gardens.
Add Color with Annuals
Annual flowers provide continuous blooms that pollinators love.
Great options include:
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Lantana
- Verbena
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
Regular deadheading encourages even more flowers throughout late summer.
Plant in Groups
Pollinators find flowers more easily when they’re planted in clusters.
Instead of scattering individual plants throughout the garden, group several of the same variety together for a greater visual impact and an easier food source for bees and butterflies.
Provide Water and Shelter
Flowers aren’t the only thing pollinators need.
Create a welcoming habitat by:
- Providing a shallow water source
- Leaving some seed heads standing
- Including ornamental grasses for shelter
- Adding shrubs for protection
- Limiting pesticide use whenever possible
Small changes can make a big difference for beneficial wildlife.
Plan for Continuous Blooms
The best pollinator gardens provide nectar from spring through fall.
Combine:
- Summer-blooming perennials
- Native plants
- Flowering herbs
- Long-blooming annuals
- Late-season asters and goldenrod
A diverse garden supports pollinators while keeping your landscape colorful for months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which flowers attract the most butterflies?
Coneflowers, asters, milkweed, zinnias, Joe Pye Weed, salvia, and butterfly bush are all favorites for butterflies.
Are native plants important?
Yes! Native plants provide food and habitat for local pollinators and are well adapted to New York growing conditions.
Can herbs attract bees?
Absolutely. Flowering basil, oregano, thyme, lavender, chives, and mint are excellent nectar sources.
Should I deadhead pollinator plants?
Deadhead annuals to encourage continued blooming, but consider leaving some perennial seed heads later in the season to provide food for birds and beneficial insects.
Can I plant pollinator-friendly plants in August?
Yes! Many perennials, annuals, herbs, and native plants establish well in August with regular watering.
Visit Us
Whether you’re creating a pollinator garden, adding colorful perennials, planting native species, or looking for expert gardening advice, Copia Home & Garden has everything you need to keep your landscape blooming and buzzing through the season.
Copia Home & Garden
475 Smith Ridge Road South
South Salem, NY 10590
Phone: (914) 533-7242
Summer Hours
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday-Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Visit us today and let our knowledgeable team help you choose beautiful, pollinator-friendly plants for a healthier, more vibrant garden.
