Plan ahead for spring: Choose pollinator-friendly bulbs this fall
As autumn arrives, local gardeners are busy harvesting and preserving the summer's bounty. Alongside these activities, fall is an excellent time to prepare your garden for spring. Planting bulbs now ensures a vibrant display of color after the winter and provides essential nourishment for early emerging pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County have curated a selection of over 30 different bulb varieties that are renowned for their beauty. Among these, seven are butterfly friendly.
These will be available for purchase exclusively for attendees at our upcoming event, “Endless Summer: Fall Garden Seminar,” on Oct. 5 and at the Butler Farmers Market on Oct. 12 and 19.
Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) has small cobalt blue clusters of flowers that bloom in April and provide an early source of food for bees. The plants are compact, about 6 to 8 inches tall, making them perfect for borders or underplanting with taller bulbs. These flowers not only add a splash of deep blue to the garden but also continue to attract pollinators with their dense blooms. They are resistant to deer and chipmunks.
Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) is celebrated for its April blooms. This plant features 1-inch star-shaped lavender-blue flowers with white centers. It reaches about 8 inches in height, making it ideal for naturalizing in garden borders, sunny woodland areas, or rock gardens. Thriving in well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight, it naturalizes effectively through bulb offsets and self-sowing seeds. Resistant to both deer and chipmunks, it's a superb choice for vibrant early spring displays.
This tulip species (Tulipa tarda “Dasystemon”) blooms in early to midspring, showcases bright yellow flowers and returns each year without losing its flowering vigor, unlike hybrid tulips. While tulips are not always the first choice for pollinators, a species tulip like Dasystemon tends to retain more pollen and nectar. This tulip brings a cheerful yellow to the early spring garden.
Snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) is notable for its unique bell-shaped, checkered flowers in purple and maroon, reaching about 24 inches in height. Blooming in late April and May, it's perfect for adding visual interest to borders or woodland settings. It prefers partial shade, is deer resistant and is a low-maintenance choice for spring gardens.
Pheasant’s eye daffodils (Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus) blooms in May and is known to self-seed and spread. These white petal daffodils have a distinct spicy fragrance and red-rimmed yellow cups that are particularly attractive to bees and have a high resistance to deer and chipmunks. They reach a height of about 14 to 16 inches and add a classic elegance to any garden.
Gypsy Queen hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis “Gypsy Queen”). The vibrant apricot-orange flowers of this heirloom hyacinth are not only a visual treat but also a favorite among bees for their rich nectar. Standing about 10 inches tall, they make a colorful statement in April and May gardens. The intense fragrance and bold color of Gypsy Queen are unmatched and are deer resistant.
White ornamental onion (Allium stipitatum “Mount Everest”). With large, globe-shaped white blooms up to 6 inches in diameter, each featuring up to 50 florets per globe, this ornamental onion is a May and June favorite that offers nectar to bees and butterflies. Reaching up to 40 inches in height, it’s a striking backdrop for lower-growing plants. Other Allium cultivars will also be available at the seminar in pink and purple. Allium species are typically resistant to deer and chipmunks.
Mass planting of bulbs in large drifts creates a stunning visual impact in gardens, producing a vibrant carpet of blooms with cohesive colors and textures. These drifts also serve as crucial habitats, offering shelter and foraging opportunities for butterflies. By strategically planting a variety of bulbs that bloom at different times, you ensure continuous support for pollinators while prolonging the beauty of your flower beds.
We invite you to join us at the “Endless Summer: Fall Garden Seminar” on Oct. 5 or visit our booth at the Butler Farmers Market on Oct. 12 and 19.
If you have questions about bulbs that attract butterflies, call the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County at their Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Danielle Fannin is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Butler County.
