Bees, Bugs, Bloom Pollinator Trial

Table 1. Top 10 Plants for Total Pollinator Visits over 3 YearsGenus Species Cultivar Common Name 2012 2013 2014 Total

1 Pycnanthemum muticum clustered mountain mint 2336 1280 670 4286

2 Solidago rigida stiff goldenrod 364 168 391 923

3 Eryngium yuccifolium rattlesnake master 150 561 35 746

4 Solidago nemoralis gray goldenrod 545 72 121 738

5 Eupatorium hyssopifolium thoroughwort 495 110 122 727

6 Liatris microcephala dwarf blazing star 147 178 282 607

7 Eutrochium dubium coastal plain joe pye 359 117 98 574

8 Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed 363 164 12 539

9 Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot 87 283 108 478

10 Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird' smooth aster 76 203 182 461

Table 2. Second 10 Plants for Total Pollinator Visits over 3 YearsGenus Species Cultivar Common Name 2012 2013 2014 Total

11 Eupatorium perfoliatum boneset 327 56 43 426

12 Veronicastrum virginicum culver's root 101 289 34 424

13 Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' lemon queen sunflower 292 115 14 421

14 Helenium autumnale Helen's flower 174 176 48 398

15 Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October skies' aromatic aster 139 173 69 381

16 Monarda x 'Peter's Fancy Fuschia' bee balm 129 182 47 358

17 Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' tickseed 82 233 42 357

18 Monarda punctata spotted bee balm 284 45 23 352

19 Coreopsis tripteris tall tickseed 106 129 115 350

20 Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England aster 171 98 72 341

Dr. E.Jay Holcomb, Connie Schmotzer, Penn State Extension, 2015. cxs51@psu.edu

Table 3 Total Pollinator Visits on the Species vs the CultivarSpecies Total Cultivar Total Evaluation*

Monarda didyma 93 Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' 98 -

Eutrochium fistulosum 260 Eutrochium fistulosum ' Bartered Bride' 319 -

Oenothera fruticosa 114 Oenothera fruticosa 'Fireworks' 87 +

Physostegia virginiana 81 Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid' 81 =

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 341 Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' 66 +

Heliopsis helianthoides 51 Heliopsis helianthoides 'Summer Nights' 109 -

Heliopsis helianthoides 51 Heliopsis helianthoides 'Summer Sun' 115 -

Monarda fistulosa 478 Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' 106 +

Penstemon digitalis 122 Penstemon digitalis 'Huskers Red' 101 +

Symphyotrichum laeve 308 Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird' 461 -

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 102 Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' 381 -

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 102 Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydons Favorite' 76 +

Coreopsis verticillata 180 Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' 176 +

Coreopsis verticillata 180 Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' 357 -

+ Species better than Cultivar About 50% of the time the species was better than the cultivar

- Cultivar better than Species

= Cultivar and Species equal

Bees, Bugs & Blooms

Dr. E. Jay Holcomb, Connie Schmotzer. Penn State Extension, Bees, Bugs, Blooms, July 2015. cxs51@psu.edu

Bees, Bugs Blooms

Table 5. Average Number of Insect Types that Visited Each Genera of Plant (Diversity)Ranking Genus Species Cultivar Common Name 2012 2013 2014 Average

1 Solidago rigida stiff goldenrod 24 22 19 21.7

2 Pycnanthemum muticum clustered mountain mint 23 24 18 21.7

3 Eupatorium hyssopifolium thoroughwort 17 18 11 15.3

4 Eryngium yuccifolium rattlesnake master 16 13 13 14.0

5 Eutrochium fistulosum 'Bartered Bride' spotted joe pye 12 15 14 13.7

6 Coreopsis tripteris tall tickseed 15 13 13 13.7

7 Helianthus divaricatus woodland sunflower 14 14 12 13.3

8 Symphyotrichum laeve smooth aster 22 7 10 13.0

9 Eutrochium maculatum spotted joe pye 18 12 9 13.0

10 Helenium autumnale Helen's flower 17 12 10 13.0

11 Eutrochium fistulosum hollow joe pye 16 14 9 13.0

12 Solidago nemoralis gray goldenrod 19 9 10 12.7

13 Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' rough goldenrod 16 8 13 12.3

14 Pycnanthemum flexuosum Appalchian mountain mint 15 14 8 12.3

15 Helianthus decapetalus thinleaf sunflower 13 12 12 12.3

16 Liatris microcephala dwarf blazing star 13 12 12 12.3

17 Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed 18 14 4 12.0

18 Eupatorium perfoliatum boneset 19 8 8 11.7

19 Physostegia virginiana obedient plant 9 12 14 11.7

20 Eutrochium purpureum 'Gateway' sweet joe pye 16 12 6 11.3

subsp.maculatum

Additional PlantsHeliopsis helianthoides 'Summer Sun' smooth oxeye 16 13 5 11.3

Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot 12 14 8 11.3

Conoclinium coelestinum mist flower 16 13 2 10.3

Veronicastrum virginicum culver's root 11 14 5 10.0

Liatris spicata blazing star 10 14 4 9.3

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird' bluebird smooth aster 8 7 12 9.0

Helianthus x multiflorus 'Capenoch Star' many flowered sunflower 16 6 3 8.3

Dr. E. Jay Holcomb, Connie Schmotzer. Penn State Extension, Bees, Bugs, Blooms, July 2015. cxs51@psu.edu

# Scientific Name Common Name 10-Apr 17-Apr 24-Apr 1-May 8-May 15-May 22-May 29-May 5-Jun 14-Jun 19-Jun 26-Jun 3-Jul 10-Jul 17-Jul 24-Jul 31-Jul 7-Aug 14-Aug 21-Aug 28-Aug 4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct

1 Packera aurea golden ragwort E E P P F

11 Zizia aurea golden alexanders E E P P F

55 Penstemon calycosus calico penstemon E P P P P F

56 Penstemon digitalis tall white beardtongue E P P P P F

57 Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' husker red tall white beardtongue E P P F

58 Penstemon smalli small's beardtongue E P P P F

39 Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana' dwarf tickseed E P F F F * *

78 Coreopsis lanceolata lance-leaved coreopsis E P P F * * *

24 Oenothera fruticosa sundrops E P P F

25 Oenothera fruticosa 'Fireworks' fireworks sundrops E P P F

62 Tradescantia ohioensis ohio spiderwort E P P P P P P P P F F F

22 Monarda didyma bee balm E P P F F *

23 Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' jacob cline bee balm E P P F F F *

79 Coreopsis verticillata whorled tickseed E P P P F *

81 Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' zagreb whorled tickseed E E P P F *

80 Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' moonbeam whorled tickseed E P P F F * * *

21 Heliopsis helianthoides 'Summer Nights' summer nights smooth oxeye E P P P P F F F F F *

48 Heliopsis helianthoides 'Summer Sun' summer sun smooth oxeye E P P P P P P P P P P F

54 Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot E E P P F

52 Monarda 'Peter's Fancy Fuchsia' peter's fancy fuchsia beebalm E P P P F F

53 Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' wild bergamot P P P F F F

49 Heliopsis helianthoides smooth oxeye P P P P P P P P F F F

2 Verbena hastata blue vervain E E P P P P P F F

82 Eryngium yuccifolium rattlesnake master E P P P F F

5 Doellingeria umbellata flat topped aster E P P P P P F F F F

32 Veronicastrum virginicum culver's root E E P P P F F

59 Pycnanthemum flexuosum appalachian mountainmint E P P P P P P F F F F *

28 Pycnanthemum muticum clustered mountain mint E P P P P P P P P P P F F F F

50 Liatris spicata blazing star P P P F F F

40 Coreopsis rosea pink tickseed E P F

3 Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed E E E P P P F F

69 Symphyotrichum laeve smooth aster * * E E E E E P P P P P P F

18 Eupatoriadelphus maculatus 'Bartered Bride' spotted joe pye weed E P P F

43 Eupatoriadelphus maculatus spotted joe pye weed E P P P P P F F F *

6 Chelone glabra white turtlehead E E E E P P P F

8 Lobelia cardinalis cardinal flower P P P P P F F

84 Liatris microcephala dwarf blazing star E E E P P P P P P P P P F F

67 Asclepias tuberosa butterfly weed * * E P P P P P F

44 Helianthus divaricatus woodland sunflower E P P P P P F F

20 Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' lemon queen sunflower P P P P P P F F

45 Helianthus x multiflorus 'Capenoch Star' capenoch star many flowered sunflower E E E P P P F F

47 Helianthus decapetalus thinleaf sunflower E E P P P P F F

14 Helenium autumnale helen's flower E E P P P P F

15 Eutrochium purpureum subsp. maculatum 'Gateway' sweet joe pye weed E P P P F F *

17 Eupatoriadelphus fistulosus hollow joe pye weed E P P F

75 Eurybia spectabilis showy aster E E P P P P P F F

63 Ruellia humilis wild petunia * * E E E P P F

51 Lobelia siphilitica great blue lobelia * * * * E P P P P P F

85 Monarda punctata spotted horsemint E P P P P P P P F

16 Eupatoriadelphus dubius coastal plain joe pye weed E P P P P F F F

19 Eupatorium perfoliatum boneset E P P P P P P P F F

34 Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' new england aster * * E E P P P P P P F F

41 Coreopsis tripteris tall coreopsis E P P P F F

42 Conoclinium coelestinum Blue Mistflower * E E P P P P P P F F

64 Scutellaria ovata heartleaf skullcap E E P P P F F F

60 Solidago rigida stiff goldenrod E E E P P P P F

4 Symphyotrichum puniceum purplestem aster * * E E E P P P P P F

13 Symphyotrichum novi-belgii new york aster E E P P P P P P P F

26 Physostegia virginiana obedient plant * E E P P P P F F F

83 Eupatorium hyssopifolium thoroughwort E P P P P P P F F

7 Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips' pink turtlehead E E P P P P F F

10 Vernonia noveborescensis new york ironweed P P F

68 Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' snow flurry heath aster E E E E P P F F F

86 Solidago flexicaulis zig-zag goldenrod E E P P P P F F

87 Solidago nemoralis gray goldenrod E P P P P P F

31 Solidago sphacelata 'Golden Fleece' golden fleece goldenrod E E P P P P F

27 Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid' vivid obedient plant E P P P P F F

12 Symphyotrichum novae-angliae new england aster * E E E E P P P P

30 Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' rough-stemmed goldenrod E P P P F

65 Solidago caesia blue stem goldenrod E E P P P F F

88 Ageratina altissima white snakeroot * E P P P F

46 Helianthus angustifolius narrow-leaved sunflower E P P P F

71 Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 'Lady in Black' calico aster P P P F

73 Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' october skies aromatic aster E P P P F

70 Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird' bluebird smooth aster P P P P F

72 Symphyotrichum oblongifolium aromatic aster E P P F

74 Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydons Favorite' raydon's favorite aromatic aster E P F

MAYAPRIL JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

PLANTING FOR POLLINATORS When selecting plants for your pollinators keep the following in mind:

Choose plants native to your region. Native plants have been proven to be four times more attractive to

pollinators than non-natives, so your first choice should be plants native to our region.

Choose flowers with a range of shapes, and colors A variety of flower shapes and colors will provide food for

different kinds of pollinators.

Don’t forget host plants for the larval stages. The caterpillars of butterflies and moths feed on the leaves of

very specific plants. Don’t forget to include these host plants in your garden.

Plant in drifts. Pollinators are more likely to find plants in gardens that provide larger drifts of color. When you

purchase plants, purchase 3 or more and plant them together.

Provide a succession of bloom. Pollinators need nectar and pollen sources throughout the season so choose a

variety of plants that will provide a succession of bloom from early spring through fall.

Avoid modern hybrids. Many garden plants have been manipulated for larger blooms and a show of color and

have lost their ability to produce nectar. When buying annuals, purchase older heirloom varieties.

Don’t forget trees and shrubs. Many woody plants provide early season nectar for pollinators and are the

primary host plants for many moths and butterflies. Think of your entire yard as pollinator habitat.

NATIVE PERENNIALS FOR A SUNNY POLLINATOR GARDEN

PLANT NAME COMMON NAME COLOR SOIL DRAINAGE BLOOM TIME

Agastache foeniculum Anise Hyssop Lavender Well drained to dry Summer to late summer

Aquilegia canadensis Columbine Red Well drained Late spring

Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed Purple Moist to wet Mid-summer

Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed Orange Well drained to dry Summer

Eupatorium dubium Coastal Plain Joe Pye Mauve Moist to wet Late Summer

Eupatorium hyssopifolium Thoroughwort White Dry Late Summer

Helianthus spp Sunflowers Yellow Moist to dry Summer

Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed Yellow Moist to wet Late Summer

Liatris spicata Marsh Blazing Star Purple Moist to wet Summer

Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Red Moist to wet Late Summer

Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia Blue Moist to wet Late Summer

Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot Lavender Moist Summer

Monarda didyma Oswego Tea Red Moist Summer

Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue White Moist Spring

Pycnanthemum muticum Broad-leaved Mountain Mint Whitish green Moist Mid-Late Summer

Solidago nemoralis Gray Goldenrod Yellow Moist to dry Fall

Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Aster Purple Moist to dry Fall

Veronicastrum virginicus Culver’s Root White Moist Mid-Late Summer

Zizia aurea Golden Alexanders Yellow Moist to wet Spring

NATIVE PERENNIALS FOR A SHADY POLLINATOR GARDEN

SHRUBS FOR A POLLINATOR GARDEN PLANT NAME COMMON NAME COLOR SOIL DRAINAGE BLOOM TIME

Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea White Dry, Well drained Summer

Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush White Wet to average Summer

Clethra alnifolia Summersweet White Moist to average Summer

Itea virginica Virginia Sweetspire White Wet to dry Summer

Salix discolor Pussy Willow Green, yellow Medium to wet Spring

TREES FOR POLLINATORS PLANT NAME COMMON NAME SOIL DRAINAGE BLOOM TIME

Acer rubrum Red Maple Wet to dry Early spring

Amelanchier laevis Serviceberry Average to dry Spring

Cercis canadensis Redbud Average Spring

Many of the above native plants can be found in garden centers. Others are readily available at native plant

nurseries or native plant sales sponsored by local conservation organizations.

MORE PERENNIALS & ANNUALS TO ATTRACT POLLINATORS

PLANT NAME COMMON NAME PLANT NAME COMMON NAME Echinacea purpurea Purple cone flower Petrosillum Parsley

Lavendula English lavender Rosmarinus Rosemary

Ocimum Basil Thymus Thyme

Origanum Marjoram Zinnia Zinnia

Origanum Oregano Thymus Thyme

February 2009, updated September 2013, Connie Schmotzer, Penn State Cooperative Extension

PLANT NAME COMMON NAME COLOR SOIL DRAINAGE BLOOM TIME

Aquilegia canadensis Columbine Red Well drained to dry Late spring

Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the Pulpit Green and Brown Moist Spring

Eurybia divaricata White Wood Aster White Moist to dry Fall

Phlox divaricata Wild Blue Phlox Lavender Moist Spring

Phlox stolonifera Creeping Phlox Lavender Moist Spring

Solidago caesia Blue Wreath Goldenrod Yellow Moist to dry Fall

Spigelia marilandica Indian Pink Red Moist Summer

Tiarella cordifolia Foamflower White Average Spring

Viola canadensis Canada Violet White Moist Spring to early summer

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Additional references:

Full report from Bees, Bugs, and Blooms Pollinator Trial:

http://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/resources-and-outreach/bees-bugs-blooms-2013-a-pollinator-trial

Pollinators of Native Plants by Heather Holm:

http://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com

Pollinator Partnership’s Ecosystem Guides:

http://pollinator.org/guides.htm

Buzzkills: abiotic and biotic stressors of pollinators - Penn State Center for Pollinator Research:

http://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/resources-and-outreach/buzzkills-abiotic-and-biotic-stressors-of-

pollinators