October 10, 2019December 9, 2021 Kim Smith

Fall Nectar Bonanza

I just came across a website that claims a native plant garden will starve pollinators of nectar because none of the natives bloom into fall. To that I say, “Poppycock!” We’re well into October now, and every day I watch incredible numbers of pollinators on the native goldenrods and asters blooming everywhere around me. I stand in my garden amidst a buzzing cloud of bumblebees feeding on the New England asters. I go to a park and see the goldenrods vibrating with butterflies and bees. I took a very short walk today and photographed a dozen species of butterflies, many of whom were feeding on asters. I present the beautiful proof here for your enjoyment. #PlantNativesForCryingOutLoud

Common buckeye on asters w sig — Common Buckeye, feeding on asters

wild indigo duskywing on asters w sig — Wild Indigo Duskywing, looking a bit tattered, feeding on asters

Bronze copper on asters w sig — Bronze Copper, feeding on asters

Meadow fritillary on asters w sig — Meadow Fritillary, feeding on asters

common checkered skipper on asters w sig — And Common Checkered Skipper, also feeding on asters

9 comments

Marian Fisher says:

October 14, 2019 at 1:45 pm

I had pollinators till the end of last week with a Painted Lady and a Peck’s Skipper. They love my later blooming New England Asters. I even had a hummer last Friday Oct. 11th! People who say native gardens are not active with pollinators into mid to late October are obviously not looking close enough. Great topic Kim!

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- Kim Smith says:
  
  October 17, 2019 at 10:03 pm
  
  Thanks, Marian. And wow, that’s a late hummer!
  
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Cindy Crosby says:

October 10, 2019 at 1:25 pm

Beautiful photos — that checkered skipper! Wow! A new one for me. Native plants have so much to offer. Thank you for singing their praises in another beautiful post.

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- Kim Smith says:
  
  October 10, 2019 at 10:50 pm
  
  Thanks, Cindy! As the season winds down, every butterfly and dragonfly I see is extra special. I was surprised to find a dozen butterfly species yesterday…only four species of odes though.
  
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peggyjoan42 says:

October 10, 2019 at 5:50 am

Beautiful post. Just watched the bumblebees on the goldenrod yesterday. These little creatures are smarter then the humans that view them. Ha

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- Kim Smith says:
  
  October 17, 2019 at 10:04 pm
  
  Peggy, goldenrod is such a great plant for our native pollinators, isn’t it? Thanks for commenting. 🙂
  
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  - peggyjoan42 says:
    
    October 18, 2019 at 5:59 am
    
    Goldenrod is great.
    
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Ardys says:

October 10, 2019 at 2:59 am

Experts are sometimes only expert in their own minds. I was listening to a podcast by a popular doctor this week and he made a statement that I also think is poppycock and I’m sure I could find a dozen doctors who would agree with me. Thanks for the photos Kim.

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- Kim Smith says:
  
  October 10, 2019 at 10:52 pm
  
  Ardys, it’s a bit scary when you think about how much misinformation is circulating on the internet, and how many people don’t know how to distinguish bad from good information sources, or even how to do the most basic research to confirm stuff. No wonder the world is in such chaos all the time.
  
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