A Seasonal Pollinator Planting Guide for Columbus, Ohio
USDA Zone 6a–6b
The goal of a pollinator garden is continuous blooms from early spring through late fall so that pollinators always have access to food.
Design Goals
Support native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Provide blooms from March through October
Use plants native to Ohio
Maintain a garden that looks intentional rather than wild
Require minimal watering after the first year
Site Requirements
Full sun to partial sun with at least six hours of sunlight
Average Columbus clay soil is acceptable and does not require heavy amendment
Locate near patios, fences, or property edges for easy viewing
Beginner Maintenance Plan
Year one:
Water weekly while plants establish
Expect smaller blooms during the first year
Light weeding while plants fill in
Year two and beyond:
Water only during drought conditions
No fertilizer required
Do not cut plants back until late April
What Not to Do
Avoid pesticides and mosquito sprays
Do not mulch heavily
Do not deadhead every flower since seed heads support birds and insects
Calendar
Early Spring: March Through April
Early spring is a critical survival period for emerging bees.
Pollinators are waking up hungry, but few plants are blooming yet.
Recommended native trees and shrubs include:
Eastern Redbud
Serviceberry
Pussy Willow
Red Maple
Recommended perennials include:
Wild Columbine
Virginia Bluebells
Golden Alexanders
Jacob’s Ladder
Pollinators supported during this time include:
Mason bees
Early bumblebee queens
Hoverflies
Helpful backyard practices:
Leave fallen leaves until late April
Avoid cleaning gardens too early in spring
Plant shrubs first for strong early-season impact
Late Spring: May Through June
This is the season when pollinator populations begin growing rapidly.
Recommended plants include:
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Ohio Spiderwort
Foxglove Beardtongue
Wild Lupine
Ninebark
New Jersey Tea
These plants support:
Leafcutter bees
Sweat bees
Early butterflies
Helpful practices:
Cluster plants in groups of three to five
Leave patches of bare soil
Avoid mulching around bee nesting areas
Summer: July Through August
Summer is peak pollinator activity.
Recommended plants include:
Purple Coneflower
Bee Balm
Milkweed
Black-eyed Susan
Blazing Star
Culver’s Root
Pollinators supported include:
Monarch butterflies
Bumble bees
Hummingbirds
Native wasps
Helpful practices:
Deadhead selectively rather than aggressively
Provide shallow water sources
Expect gardens to look slightly messy during peak activity
Fall: September Through October
Fall flowers are essential for migration and winter preparation.
Recommended plants include:
Goldenrod
New England Aster
Smooth Blue Aster
Ironweed
Joe-Pye Weed
These plants support:
Migrating monarch butterflies
Late-season bees
Overwintering insects
Helpful practices:
Do not cut plants back in fall
Leave seed heads for birds
Allow stems to stand through winter
Winter: November Through February
During winter, habitat matters more than blooms.
Important winter features include:
Standing hollow plant stems
Leaf litter
Native grasses
Seed heads
Additional habitat options include:
Bee houses cleaned annually
Brush piles
Native grasses such as Little Bluestem and Switchgrass
Helpful practices:
Messy gardens provide winter shelter
Delay cleanup until late spring
Snow helps insulate overwintering insects
