In Praise of the Late Bloomers

Scaleleaf aster (Symphyotrichum adnatus)


Eastern silver aster (Symphyotrichum concolor)

Far too often, we design our pollinator landscapes based on aesthetics and utility, but we fail to consider the time of year that our plants will bloom. It is a critical decision that must be considered if we are to be as effective as possible. Throughout the growing season, my wildflowers bloom in succession. The early ones are few and far between, but they provide a critical link to the early pollinators that emerge hungry during that time of year. The vast majority bloom from summer to fall as the number of pollinators increase with them. Fall in Florida is the most beautiful time for wildflowers and the pollinators are everywhere as they prepare for their "long winter's nap." Today, in mid-November, most of my wildflowers are going to seed and far fewer pollinators are out and about.
Some of them, however, are still active and it is these that I plan for assiduously. It's the late bloomers that fill this very important niche.  There is a risk in blooming late in the year. Cold weather limits pollinator activity (though here in Florida that is rarely a significant concern). The fact that many butterflies and bees are beginning to overwinter instead of feeding actively limits the number of species that are still present to provide pollination services. If you're a late bloomer, you are in rare company compared to the early fall species. That means that you have pretty much the whole set of remaining pollinators at your beck and call. It's a gamble that must pay off as these species have evolved to do just this.
Not all asters bloom late, but many of my favorites do. While many in my landscape are done and have gone to seed, a few are just now beginning their attempt to lure pollination services. Just a few days ago, my eastern silver asters began to flower. They've been waiting for this all year and so have I. I love their bright cornflower blue ray petals and they attract the bees that still remain active in my landscape. A couple of others are still waiting. The Carolina climbing aster (S. carolinianum) and my scaleleaf aster have large numbers of buds now, but no open flowers. There will be even fewer pollinators when they finally open, but they will be critical to whatever pollinators remain at this time of year.
A well-designed pollinator garden has to include late bloomers. To do that, it also has to have diversity. We must plan to provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season.  Asters are one of the groups that seem to do this best.  Here in my landscape, I have been collecting native aster species for years. It is a travesty that most are not grown commercially here in Florida, but I'm taking that challenge head on. If you are serious about your pollinator garden, it is necessary to add the late bloomers within it.  

 

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