What they do
Adults sip nectar and can transfer pollen as they move between flowers.
Pollinator profile
Whites & sulphurs
Family Pieridae
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
Category
Butterflies
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Pieridae
Also Known As
Pieridae, white butterfly, sulphur butterfly
Intro
Overview
Whites and sulphurs are a large, familiar group of butterflies in the family Pieridae, best known for bright white, yellow, or orange wings and a quick, bouncing flight. Many species are common around gardens, parks, and open natural areas, where they regularly visit flowers for nectar. This page helps you recognize them, understand what they need through the seasons, and take practical steps to support them.
At a glance
Quick Facts
Food
Spring blossoms, clovers, mustards, asters/goldenrods
Habitat
Host plants for caterpillars, leaf litter, unmowed edges, shrubs
Seasonality
Sunny late morning to afternoon, warm seasons vary by region
Where to look
Gardens, schoolyards, meadows, roadsides, field edges, parks
Key takeaways
If you remember only three things
A quick summary you can scan in under 10 seconds.
What they need
A mix of nectar flowers plus host plants for caterpillars, with some “messy” habitat left for shelter.
One best action
Plant a small patch (or even a pot) with region-appropriate nectar flowers and at least one suitable host plant type.
Why it matters
Why they matter
Whites and sulphurs are often among the most visible butterflies in everyday landscapes, which makes them great “gateway” pollinators for learning and action. While butterflies aren’t the only (or always the most efficient) pollinators, their frequent flower visits can still support plant reproduction—especially in diverse, flower-rich spaces.
Key Impacts
What this pollinator supports
- They contribute to pollination by visiting many blooms for nectar and carrying pollen on their legs and body scales.
- They support a wide range of flowering plants, especially in open habitats and gardens with continuous bloom.
- Many species move through a landscape in search of nectar and host plants, linking patches of habitat.
- Their caterpillars are part of local food webs, supporting birds and other wildlife.
- They can be good "indicator" insects: if you see them regularly, you often have at least some nectar and host plants nearby.
Identification
Identification guide
Whites and sulphurs can be identified with a few simple cues: overall wing color, dark edging or spots, and how they fly and rest. A photo of the wing tops and undersides (if possible) makes identification much easier.
1
Look for mostly white, creamy, yellow, or orange wings.
2
Many "whites" have dark tips on the forewings or small dark spots.
3
Many "sulphurs" are yellow to orange-yellow and may look almost leaf-colored when wings are closed.
4
Flight is often quick and fluttery, with short glides close to the ground.
Range and habitat
Where they live
The family Pieridae occurs across many parts of the world, and different species are found in different regions, including around southern Ontario. As a subgroup, whites and sulphurs are especially associated with sunny, open or semi-open habitats where both nectar flowers and caterpillar host plants are available.
Even small gardens and schoolyards can help by providing continuous blooms and leaving a few low-disturbance corners for host plants and shelter.
Common Habitats
- Meadows and grasslands
- Field edges and hedgerows
- Roadsides and utility corridors (where flowering plants are present)
- Gardens, schoolyards, and community green spaces
- Parks and open woodlands
Life cycle
Life cycle and seasonality
Like all butterflies, whites and sulphurs have four life stages: egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult. Timing varies by species and region, but the big idea is consistent: adults need nectar across the warm season, and caterpillars need the right host plants at the right time.
Spring / Early Season
Adults may appear as temperatures warm and early flowers open. Egg-laying begins when host plants are available and growing.
Summer / Mid-Season
Many species are most noticeable now, with frequent nectar visits. Caterpillars feed and develop; chrysalises may be found on stems or nearby structures.
Late Season
Late-blooming flowers can fuel adults and support final broods where they occur. Some individuals focus on building energy reserves for overwintering (life stage varies by species).
Winter / Dry Season
Overwintering typically happens in a protected life stage (often as a pupa or other stage depending on species).
Late-season flowers and seasonal shelter matter because they can be the difference between adults finding enough fuel and the next generation successfully making it through to the following year.
Gardening guide
How to support in your garden
Provide the right food and habitat to help this pollinator thrive.
Plant these flowers
Nectar is a sugary liquid that adult butterflies drink for energy, while pollen is a protein-rich powder plants use for reproduction (butterflies may pick up pollen while feeding even if they don’t actively collect it). A good pollinator space offers many small, accessible flowers across the season, especially in sunny spots with low wind.
Early season
- Native spring wildflowers (region-appropriate)
- Flowering native shrubs and small trees (early blossoms)
- Early-blooming garden herbs (allowed to flower)
Mid-season
- Clovers (Trifolium spp.)
- Native milkweeds (for nectar; host plants vary by species)
- Bee balm/wild bergamot (Monarda spp.)
- Native meadow flowers (mixed plantings)
Late season
- Asters (native Symphyotrichum spp.)
- Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)
- Late-blooming native wildflowers (region-appropriate)
Best plant choices depend on your region; native plants are usually the best starting point.
Shelter and nesting
Butterflies don’t nest like bees, but they do need safe places for eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and adults to rest out of wind and heavy rain. The most helpful “shelter” is often simply a garden that includes host plants, layered vegetation, and a few undisturbed areas.
Leave some leaf litter or natural ground cover in a corner for seasonal protection.
Keep a small "no-mow" or "less-mow" edge where host plants can grow and caterpillars can feed.
Plant in layers (low flowers, medium perennials, shrubs) to create windbreaks and resting spots.
Avoid over-tidying stems and seedheads until later in the season where possible.
Provide sunny basking spots (flat stones or open soil patches) near flowers.
Threats to avoid
Whites and sulphurs can be resilient in mixed landscapes, but they still depend on connected habitat, safe host plants, and pesticide-free nectar sources. Many pressures stack together—less habitat, fewer flowers, and more chemical exposure—making it harder for populations to stay stable.
Habitat loss and fragmentation reduce both nectar sources and host plants, and isolate populations.
Pesticides can harm caterpillars and adults; systemic pesticides (chemicals that get inside the plant) can contaminate nectar and leaves.
Bloom gaps (for example, landscapes with only spring flowers) leave adults without reliable fuel later on.
Climate stress can shift flowering times and disrupt the timing between caterpillars and host plant growth.
Over-tidying (removing "weeds," leaf litter, and stems) can remove eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises.
Take action
How to help
Helping whites and sulphurs is mostly about consistency: provide nectar across the season, include host plants, and keep the space pesticide-free. Even small actions—one pot, one garden bed, one schoolyard corner—can add up when many people do them.
Plant for continuous bloom from spring through fall using region-appropriate native flowers plus a few reliable nectar plants (like clovers and late-season asters/goldenrods).
Add at least one host plant type (often a suitable mustard-family or legume-type plant) and let it grow in a designated spot.
Skip pesticides and herbicides, especially on or near flowering plants and host plants.
Reduce mowing and "tidy-up" intensity: leave a small edge unmowed and delay major cleanups where practical.
Student challenge
Do a 10-minute "butterfly watch" on a sunny day—count how many whites/sulphurs you see visiting flowers, note which flowers they choose, and share your results with your class or family.
Examples
Featured species
Examples from this subgroup. Status varies by region.
Pieris rapae
Cabbage White
This is a widely recognized “white” that often shows up in gardens and schoolyards, making it a useful species for learning butterfly life cycles and habitat needs. It frequently visits common flowers for nectar.
Colias philodice
Clouded Sulphur
This common “sulphur” is a frequent visitor to open, sunny areas and can be a steady presence where nectar flowers and legume-type host plants are available. It’s a good example of how meadows and even weedy edges can support butterflies.
Colias eurytheme
Orange Sulphur
This bright sulphur is a noticeable nectar visitor in open habitats and can overlap with other yellow/orange sulphurs, making it a good “practice species” for careful observation. It highlights the value of flower-rich, pesticide-free green spaces.
Definitions
Glossary
Nectar
A sugary liquid produced by flowers that fuels many adult pollinators and flower visitors.
Pollen
Powdery grains produced by flowers; a key protein source for many insects and the material plants need transferred for seed production.
Habitat
The natural “home” of a species, including food, shelter, and the conditions it needs to survive.
Native
A plant or animal that occurs naturally in a region without being introduced by people.
Invasive
A non-native species that spreads aggressively and can harm local ecosystems.
Systemic pesticide
A pesticide that gets inside the plant, so insects can be exposed through nectar, pollen, or plant tissues.
Host plant
The plant a caterpillar eats; adults may nectar elsewhere, but larvae need the host to grow.
Chrysalis (pupa)
The life stage where a caterpillar transforms into an adult butterfly.
Fragmentation
When habitat is broken into smaller, isolated patches that are harder for wildlife to use.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Plants that support this pollinator
Alders
Alders are fast-growing trees in the genus Alnus that are especially useful in damp spots and along edges where you want quick cover and early-season pollen for insects.
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Asters
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
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Baccharis
Baccharis is a genus of tough, wildlife-friendly shrubs often used to add structure and long-season nectar to gardens and restoration plantings. If you have a sunny spot and want a low-fuss shrub that can support pollinators, Baccharis is worth a look.
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Birches
Birches are graceful trees in the genus Betula, known for their often light-colored bark and early-season pollen and catkins that support springtime insects.
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Blackberries & raspberries
Blackberries and raspberries (genus Rubus) are flowering bramble shrubs that can feed pollinators in bloom and people later with tasty berries—great for yards, school gardens, and even large containers with support.
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Blanketflowers
Blanketflowers (Gaillardia) are bright, long-blooming wildflowers that can bring steady color and pollinator visits to sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
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Blazing stars
Blazing stars (Liatris) are upright, purple-pink wildflowers that bloom in showy spikes and are well-loved by many pollinators. They’re a strong choice for sunny gardens, borders, and meadow-style plantings.
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Blueberries & huckleberries
Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
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Buttonbush
Buttonbush is a wetland shrub known for its round, pincushion-like flower clusters that draw in many pollinators. It’s a great choice for rain gardens, pond edges, and any spot that stays consistently moist.
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California lilac
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a flowering shrub known for clouds of blue blooms that can be a big draw for pollinators when it’s planted in the right spot.
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Camas
Camas (Camassia spp.) is a spring-blooming bulb with starry blue-to-purple flowers that can light up sunny meadows and garden beds while offering early-season nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
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Clarkias
Clarkias are cheerful, easy-to-grow wildflowers in the genus Clarkia, known for silky, colorful blooms that can brighten beds, borders, and containers while offering nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
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Clovers
Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.
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Coneflowers
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are tough, long-blooming wildflowers that bring steady color and reliable nectar and pollen to gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
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Coreopsis
Coreopsis (often called tickseed) is a cheerful, long-blooming group of wildflowers that can brighten gardens and containers while offering easy-to-find nectar and pollen for many pollinators.
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Currants & gooseberries
Currants and gooseberries are Ribes shrubs that offer early-season flowers for pollinators and later berries for people and wildlife. They’re a great choice for edible landscapes, mixed borders, and small yards where you want a plant that does more than one job.
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Fireweed
Fireweed is a tough, fast-growing wildflower in the genus Chamerion that brings bright pink blooms and lots of pollinator activity to sunny, open spaces.
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Fleabanes
Fleabanes (genus Erigeron) are easygoing wildflowers with daisy-like blooms that can brighten gardens, schoolyards, and balcony pots while offering steady nectar and pollen for many small pollinators.
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Gilias
Gilias (genus Gilia) are airy, nectar-rich wildflowers that can add quick color to sunny spots and help support a variety of pollinators.
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Goldenrods
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
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Hyssops
Hyssops (Agastache) are fragrant, long-blooming wildflowers that are easy to grow and popular with many pollinators. They’re a great choice for sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
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Ironweeds
Ironweeds are tall, purple-blooming wildflowers in the genus Vernonia that bring late-season color and steady nectar to pollinator gardens.
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Joe-Pye weeds
Joe-Pye weeds are tall, late-season native wildflowers in the genus Eutrochium that bring big, fluffy flower clusters to gardens and give pollinators a reliable place to feed when many other plants are winding down.
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Kinnikinnick
Kinnikinnick is a tough, low-growing evergreen groundcover in the genus Arctostaphylos (often called bearberry) that forms a tidy mat and offers small spring flowers followed by red berries.
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Manzanitas
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
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Maples
Maples are familiar shade trees that offer early-season flowers and later seeds, supporting a range of pollinators and adding strong structure to yards, school grounds, and streetscapes.
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Milkweeds
Milkweeds are tough, nectar-rich wildflowers in the genus Asclepias that can turn a garden bed, schoolyard edge, or even a sunny pot into a pollinator stop.
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Mountain mints
Mountain mints are tough, fragrant native wildflowers that bloom in summer and are famous for drawing in a busy mix of pollinators. They’re easy to grow, handle a range of garden conditions, and make a great “plant it and watch it” choice for pollinator patches.
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Oaks
Oaks are long-lived trees that can anchor a yard, school ground, or park with shade, structure, and lots of seasonal interest. Many pollinators use oak flowers in spring, and the tree’s leaves and bark support a wide web of life over time.
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Penstemons
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
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Phacelias
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
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Poplars, aspens & cottonwoods
Poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods (genus Populus) are fast-growing trees best known for their fluttering leaves and soft “cottony” seeds. They can support early-season pollinators with spring catkins, but they’re also big, thirsty, and often short-lived in small yards—so they’re best chosen with space and roots in mind.
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Poppies
Bright, cup-shaped poppy flowers from the genus Eschscholzia that thrive in sunny spots and can add easy, pollinator-friendly color to gardens, pots, and schoolyards.
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Prairie clovers
Prairie clovers (genus Dalea) are prairie wildflowers with tidy, clover-like leaves and bottlebrush-style blooms that are popular with many pollinators. They’re a great choice for sunny, well-drained spots where you want long-lasting summer color without fussy care.
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Prairie coneflowers
Prairie coneflowers (Ratibida) are tough, sunny wildflowers with drooping petals and a bold cone-shaped center that pollinators can easily find. They’re a great choice for low-fuss gardens, schoolyards, and naturalized patches where you want long-lasting summer color.
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Rabbitbrush
Rabbitbrush is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its bright yellow late-season blooms that can help keep pollinators fed when many other flowers are fading.
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Rushes
Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.
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Sagebrushes
Sagebrushes are tough, aromatic shrubs in the genus Artemisia that can anchor a dry, sunny habitat and offer shelter and seasonal nectar for a range of insects.
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Sages
Sages (genus Salvia) are aromatic, nectar-rich plants that can add long-lasting color and steady pollinator activity to gardens, balconies, and schoolyards.
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Sedges
Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.
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Serviceberries
Serviceberries (genus Amelanchier) are small trees with early-season blossoms, edible berries, and strong wildlife value—an easy way to add beauty and pollinator support to a yard, school garden, or even a large container.
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Sunflowers
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
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Wild bergamot & bee balms
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
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Wild buckwheats
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
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Wild indigos
Wild indigos (genus Baptisia) are long-lived native wildflowers known for upright flower spikes, clover-like leaves, and a tough, low-fuss nature once established. They’re a strong choice for pollinator-friendly gardens where you want reliable blooms and a plant that can hold its own without constant care.
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Wild sunflowers’ relatives
Silphium (often called rosinweed) is a group of tall, tough native wildflowers known for sunflower-like blooms and long-lasting nectar and pollen. They’re a strong choice for pollinator gardens, schoolyards, and naturalized edges where you want big plants that can handle summer heat once established.
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Willowherbs
Willowherbs (genus Epilobium) are easygoing wildflowers that pop up in sunny, open spots and offer simple, nectar-rich blooms that many small pollinators can use.
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Willows
Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.
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Yarrow
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
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Regions
Where this pollinator is active
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Aberdeen Plains
Aberdeen Plains is a northern plains ecoregion where the growing season is short and conditions can be harsh for gardening.
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Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau
The Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau is largely defined by boreal forest, wetlands, and extensive freshwater networks.
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Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains
The Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains are a rugged, high-relief landscape where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short, often cool season.
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Alaska Peninsula Mountains
The Alaska Peninsula Mountains are a rugged, coastal-influenced mountain region where conditions can be challenging for traditional gardening.
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Alaska Range
The Alaska Range is a high, cold mountain landscape where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short summer.
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Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are a maritime, wind-shaped island chain with short, challenging growing conditions and many exposed sites.
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Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Algonquin/Southern Laurentians is a forest-and-water landscape where many pollinators rely on sunny edges, openings, wetlands, and flowering understories rather than deep shade.
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Amundsen Plains
The Amundsen Plains are a northern Arctic plains region where the growing season is short and conditions are tough for typical home gardening.
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Arctic Coastal Plain
The Arctic Coastal Plain is a tundra region where plants grow low to the ground and the flowering season is brief.
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Arctic Foothills
The Arctic Foothills are a rugged transition zone where tundra landscapes meet rising hills and mountain fronts.
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Arizona/New Mexico Plateau
The Arizona/New Mexico Plateau is a dry, high-country landscape where plants and pollinators are adapted to tough conditions—sun, wind, and long dry stretches.
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Arkansas Valley
The Arkansas Valley is a river-influenced landscape where soils, moisture, and sun exposure can change quickly from one spot to the next.
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Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains
The Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains is a “mosaic” landscape—open grassland mixed with aspen groves, wetlands, and edges where habitats meet.
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Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland
Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland is a northern, boreal-leaning landscape where forests, wetlands, and river systems shape what can grow and when it blooms.
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Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens
Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens are often defined by sandy soils, open sunny patches, and a mix of pine-dominated areas, shrublands, and wetland edges.
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Baffin and Torngat Mountains
The Baffin and Torngat Mountains are a dramatic Arctic mountain region where life is adapted to cold, wind, and a very short season for growth.
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Baffin Uplands
The Baffin Uplands are a High Arctic ecoregion where plants grow slowly and stay low, and where “garden-style” pollinator planting is often not practical.
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Banks Island and Amundsen Gulf Lowlands
Banks Island and the Amundsen Gulf Lowlands are part of the Northern Arctic, where plants and insects must survive extreme cold, wind, and a very short season for growth and flowering.
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Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are a varied mountain-and-valley landscape where forests, meadows, and river corridors can sit close together.
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Blue Ridge
The Blue Ridge is a forested mountain region with big changes in sun, shade, moisture, and temperature over short distances.
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Boston Mountains
The Boston Mountains ecoregion is a mostly forested landscape of ridges, slopes, and stream valleys.
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Bristol Bay-Nushagak Lowlands
The Bristol Bay–Nushagak Lowlands are tundra-leaning lowlands where wetlands, river corridors, and coastal conditions shape what can grow.
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Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains
The Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains ecoregion is a high-latitude mountain tundra landscape where plants grow low to the ground and the season for flowers can be brief.
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California Central Coast
The California Central Coast is a patchwork of ocean-edge bluffs, valleys, oak woodlands, chaparral, and coastal mountain habitats.
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California Central Valley
The California Central Valley is a wide, mostly flat interior valley with big rivers, working farms, and growing cities.
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California Southern Coast
The California Southern Coast is a Mediterranean-climate coastal region where many plants are adapted to wet seasons followed by long dry stretches.
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Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are a rugged mountain region with big elevation changes, cold winters, and pockets of warmer, sunnier valley habitat.
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Cascades
The Cascades ecoregion is defined by mountains, forests, and dramatic “up-and-down” terrain that creates many local growing conditions.
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Central American Sierra Madre with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is defined by Central American mountain forests where conifers and oaks can be major features, alongside mixed forest communities.
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Central Angava Peninsula and Ottawa and Belcher Islands
This ecoregion is part of the Southern Arctic, where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short, intense growing season.
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Central Appalachians
The Central Appalachians are largely forested, with a patchwork of sunny edges, meadows, roadsides, and stream corridors where flowers can thrive.
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Central Basin and Range
The Central Basin and Range is a wide-open landscape of desert basins and mountain ranges, where water and shade strongly shape what can grow.
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Central Corn Belt Plains
The Central Corn Belt Plains is a plains ecoregion where much of the land has been shaped by farming and settlement, but pollinator habitat can still be created in yards, school grounds, parks, field edges, and community spaces.
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Central Great Plains
The Central Great Plains is a prairie-focused ecoregion where grasses and wildflowers can thrive when matched to local moisture and soil conditions.
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Central Irregular Plains
This ecoregion sits within the Temperate Prairies and is often associated with open landscapes, grassland-leaning plant communities, and human-shaped land use.
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Central Laurentians and Mecatina Plateau
The Central Laurentians and Mecatina Plateau is typically a softwood-shield region with forests, bogs/fens, rocky openings, and water-rich landscapes.
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Chiapas Highlands with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forest
This region is a highland landscape shaped by mountains and forests—often a mix of conifers and oaks—with many “microclimates” created by elevation and terrain.
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Chilcotin Ranges and Fraser Plateau
The Chilcotin Ranges and Fraser Plateau includes a patchwork of plateaus, forests, grass-leaning openings, and river corridors.
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Clear Hills and Western Alberta Uplands
Clear Hills and Western Alberta Uplands is a boreal upland landscape where forests, wet areas, and stream corridors shape what can grow.
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Coast Range
The Coast Range is a coastal mountain landscape shaped by steep terrain, forested slopes, and valleys.
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Coastal Hudson Bay Lowland
The Coastal Hudson Bay Lowland is a cold, flat coastal region where wet ground and a short summer shape what can grow.
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Coastal Western Hemlock-Sitka Spruce Forests
Coastal Western Hemlock–Sitka Spruce forests are evergreen, moisture-loving coastal forests with deep shade in many places and brighter “edge” habitats where sunlight reaches the ground.
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Colorado Plateaus
The Colorado Plateaus are a “cold desert” region where plants and animals are adapted to drought, intense sun, and variable temperatures.
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Columbia Mountains/Northern Rockies
The Columbia Mountains/Northern Rockies region is a landscape of big elevation changes—forests, meadows, and river corridors stitched between steep slopes and high ridgelines.
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Columbia Plateau
The Columbia Plateau is a “cold desert” ecoregion where water-wise plants and tough, sun-loving habitats are common.
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Cook Inlet
Cook Inlet is a coastal region where ocean air, river corridors, and nearby mountains create many small “pockets” of growing conditions.
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Copper Plateau
Copper Plateau is a boreal-cordillera plateau region where plants and pollinators often have a narrow window to grow, bloom, and reproduce.
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Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands
The Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands sit within the Taiga Shield, where rock, water, and boreal vegetation shape what can grow.
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Cross Timbers
Cross Timbers landscapes are known for their mix of open grassland and tough, drought-tolerant woodland—especially along edges where sunlight and shelter meet.
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Cypress Upland
Cypress Upland landscapes are shaped by elevation, exposure, and patchy moisture—meaning one yard can be quite different from another just a short distance away.
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Driftless Area
The Driftless Area’s hills, bluffs, and river valleys create a patchwork of sunny slopes, shaded woods, and river-side edges—great variety for pollinator habitat when native plants are present.
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East Central Texas Plains
The East Central Texas Plains are often a patchwork of open sunny spaces and scattered trees, with seasonal wildflowers when conditions line up.
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Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills
The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills are a transition zone: mountain-influenced landscapes that often lean dry, with big differences from one hillside or creek corridor to the next.
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Eastern Corn Belt Plains
The Eastern Corn Belt Plains is a working landscape where farms, towns, roads, and remaining natural areas sit side-by-side.
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Eastern Great Lakes and Hudson Lowlands
This region includes a wide range of “everyday” places—yards, school grounds, parks, shorelines, and wet areas—where small habitat improvements can add up.
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Edwards Plateau
The Edwards Plateau is an upland landscape where water can be the limiting factor for plants and pollinators, especially away from streams and springs.
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Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills
The Ellesmere Mountains and Eureka Hills are an extreme Arctic landscape where plants grow slowly and flowering opportunities are limited.
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Erie Drift Plain
The Erie Drift Plain is a glaciated lowland region where soils and landforms often support productive plant growth when space is available.
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Flint Hills
The Flint Hills are a prairie landscape where grasses and wildflowers can form large, connected habitats when managed well.
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Foxe Uplands
Foxe Uplands is a Northern Arctic ecoregion where the environment is tough on plants: cold, wind, and a short growing season make typical “pollinator gardening” difficult in many places.
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Great Bear Plains
The Great Bear Plains is a taiga-plains landscape where water, soil, and exposure strongly shape what can grow.
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Gulf of Boothia and Foxe Basin Plains
This Northern Arctic plains ecoregion is defined by cold temperatures, short summers, and landscapes where plants grow low to the ground.
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Hay and Slave River Lowlands
The Hay and Slave River Lowlands are a northern lowland landscape where rivers and wetlands strongly shape what can grow.
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Hayes River Upland and Big Trout Lake
Hayes River Upland and Big Trout Lake sits in the boreal “softwood shield” world of conifers, water, and wetlands.
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High Plains
The High Plains are grassland-focused landscapes where water can be the main limiting factor for gardening.
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Hills and Sierras with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is a mosaic of conifer forest, oak woodland, and mixed stands, often broken up by meadows, rocky openings, and forest edges.
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Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands
The Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands are defined by wide-open lowlands and large wetland landscapes.
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Huron/Erie Lake Plains
The Huron/Erie Lake Plains are generally low, lake-influenced landscapes where gardens, parks, roadsides, and remaining natural areas can all play a role in supporting pollinators.
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Idaho Batholith
The Idaho Batholith ecoregion is a rugged, mountainous landscape where forests, meadows, and river corridors create a patchwork of habitats.
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Interior Bottomlands
Interior Bottomlands are low-lying parts of Alaska’s boreal interior where water and soils often shape what can grow.
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Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands
Interior Forested Lowlands and Uplands is a boreal interior landscape where forests, wetlands, and river corridors create pockets of flowering habitat.
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Interior Highlands and Klondike Plateau
Interior Highlands and Klondike Plateau is a northern inland region where elevation, slope direction, and river valleys create many “small zones” for plants.
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Interior Plains and Piedmonts with Grasslands and Xeric Shrub
This region is generally shaped by open grasslands and drought-tolerant shrub communities, with greener pockets where water collects.
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Interior Plateau
The Interior Plateau is an inland, upland-style part of the Southeastern USA Plains where soils, sun exposure, and moisture can vary a lot across short distances.
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Interior River Valleys and Hills
Interior river valleys and hills often have a “patchwork” feel: sunny openings, wooded edges, and river-side areas that stay greener longer.
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Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands
Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands is a northern taiga-shield landscape of rock, water, and hardy vegetation.
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Klamath Mountains
The Klamath Mountains are a complex, mountainous landscape where forests, rocky openings, and river corridors create many different growing conditions close together.
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La Grande Hills and New Quebec Central Plateau
La Grande Hills and the New Quebec Central Plateau are part of the Taiga Shield—often rocky, lake-rich, and shaped by cold-season conditions.
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Lake Erie Lowland
The Lake Erie Lowland is a Great Lakes lowland landscape where people live, garden, and farm alongside pockets of natural habitat.
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Lake Manitoba and Lake Agassiz Plain
Lake Manitoba and the Lake Agassiz Plain sit within the Temperate Prairies and are defined by flat former lakebed landscapes, wetlands, and open country.
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Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Upland
Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Upland is a lake-and-forest shield region where conifer-dominated woods, wetlands, and rocky openings create a patchwork of habitats.
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Lancaster and Borden Peninsula Plateaus
The Lancaster and Borden Peninsula Plateaus are part of the Northern Arctic, where cold, wind, and a short growing season limit how much flowering habitat can develop.
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Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland
The Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland is a busy, people-centered coastal lowland with rivers, shorelines, and patches of forest and meadow.
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Mackenzie and Selwyn Mountains
The Mackenzie and Selwyn Mountains are a high-latitude mountain landscape where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short warm season.
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Maine/New Brunswick Plains and Hills
The Maine/New Brunswick Plains and Hills region is shaped by mixed wood forests, open edges, wetlands, and human-made landscapes like yards, roadsides, and farms.
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Maritime Lowlands
The Maritime Lowlands are generally low, coastal-influenced landscapes where forests, wetlands, and human-settled areas sit close together.
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Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plains
The Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plains is a boreal-plain landscape where forests and wetlands shape what can grow and when flowers appear.
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Mid-Boreal Uplands and Peac-Wabaska Lowlands
Mid-Boreal Uplands and Peac-Wabaska Lowlands is a boreal-plain region where forests, wetlands, and open edges create a patchwork of habitats.
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Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain
The Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain is a mostly low, water-influenced landscape where sandy soils, wetlands, and river systems shape what grows well.
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Middle Rockies
The Middle Rockies are defined by rugged terrain, big elevation changes, and many “pockets” of different growing conditions.
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Mississippi Alluvial Plain
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain is a wide, fertile river-made landscape with wetlands, oxbows, bayous, and bottomland habitats where they remain.
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Mississippi Valley Loess Plains
The Mississippi Valley Loess Plains are shaped by loess soils that can support rich plant communities when managed well.
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Nebraska Sand Hills
The Nebraska Sand Hills are a distinctive prairie landscape: sandy soils, rolling dunes, and wide-open skies, with wetter pockets in low areas.
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Newfoundland Island
Newfoundland Island includes a mix of coastal landscapes, conifer-dominated forests, wetlands, and open barrens.
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North Cascades
The North Cascades are defined by big elevation changes, forested slopes, and river valleys that create many small habitat pockets.
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North Central Appalachians
The North Central Appalachians are known for forested hills, stream corridors, and a patchwork of openings where wildflowers can thrive.
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North Central Hardwood Forests
North Central Hardwood Forests are known for mixed, mature-looking woodlands, forest edges, and a patchwork of wetlands and waterways across a populated region.
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Northeastern Coastal Zone
The Northeastern Coastal Zone is shaped by ocean influence—salt air, shifting winds, and a patchwork of wetlands, forests, and human-built areas.
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Northern Appalachian Plateau and Uplands
The Northern Appalachian Plateau and Uplands is a landscape of forested uplands, wet pockets, and stream and river corridors.
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Northern Appalachians and Atlantic Maritime Highlands
This region is a patchwork of forested mountains and uplands, with streams, wetlands, and openings that can be surprisingly rich in wildflowers.
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Northern Basin and Range
Northern Basin and Range landscapes are shaped by open basins, rugged ranges, and hardy native plants that can handle cold winters and dry stretches.
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Northern Lakes and Forests
Northern Lakes and Forests is a lake-rich, forested shield landscape where native wildflowers often thrive in sunny openings, shorelines, and edges rather than deep shade.
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Northern Minnesota Wetlands
Northern Minnesota Wetlands are defined by water: saturated soils, standing water, and plant communities adapted to wet conditions.
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Northern Piedmont
The Northern Piedmont is a patchwork of wooded areas, stream corridors, and developed land, which can create many small opportunities for pollinator habitat—yards, school grounds, parks, and even balcony containers.
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Northwestern Glaciated Plains
The Northwestern Glaciated Plains are open, prairie-like landscapes influenced by glacial history—think broad skies, grasses, and pockets of wetter ground where water collects.
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Northwestern Great Plains
The Northwestern Great Plains is a grassland region where native plants are adapted to sun, wind, and periodic dryness.
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Oglivie Mountains
The Oglivie Mountains ecoregion is a cold, mountainous part of the Taiga Cordillera where plant life is shaped by short summers, elevation, and shelter from wind.
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Ouachita Mountains
The Ouachita Mountains ecoregion is a ridge-and-valley landscape where forests, openings, and stream edges create many “small habitats” close together.
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Ozark Highlands
The Ozark Highlands are a patchwork of forests, woodland edges, open sunny areas, and stream corridors.
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Pacific and Nass Ranges
The Pacific and Nass Ranges are a mountainous part of Canada’s Marine West Coast Forest, shaped by steep terrain, river valleys, and coastal-influenced weather.
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Pacific Coastal Mountains
The Pacific Coastal Mountains are known for rugged terrain and forested landscapes influenced by the nearby ocean.
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Parry Islands Plateau
The Parry Islands Plateau is a Northern Arctic ecoregion where cold, wind, and a short growing season make gardening and long-season blooms difficult in many places.
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Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus
The Peel River and Nahanni Plateaus ecoregion is a northern landscape of broad uplands, river-cut valleys, and hardy vegetation adapted to cold conditions.
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Piedmont
The Piedmont is a region of rolling hills, creeks, and a patchwork of forests, fields, and neighborhoods.
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Queen Maud Gulf and Chantrey Inlet Lowlands
This ecoregion is an Arctic lowland landscape where the season for flowering plants is short and highly weather-dependent.
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Ridge and Valley
Ridge and Valley landscapes create many “mini-habitats,” which can be great for pollinators when there’s a steady supply of flowers and safe nesting spots.
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Seward Peninsula
The Seward Peninsula sits within Alaska’s tundra ecoregions, where the growing season is short and conditions can be tough for conventional gardening.
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Sierra Madre Occidental with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This is a mountainous forest-and-woodland region where pines and other conifers mix with many oaks and a wide variety of understory plants.
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Sierra Madre Oriental with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is a mountainous mosaic of conifer stands, oak forests, and mixed woodlands—often with sunny openings, forest edges, and stream corridors that can be especially important for flowers.
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Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada is a mountain region with a wide range of habitats—from foothill woodlands to conifer forests to high-elevation meadows.
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Sierras of Guerrero and Oaxaca with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This is a highland forest region where conifers, oaks, and mixed forests create a patchwork of habitats.
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Sierras of Jalisco and Michoacán with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is a set of temperate mountain landscapes where conifer, oak, and mixed forests create layered habitat—from sunny edges and clearings to shaded understories.
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Skeena-Omineca-Central Canadian Rocky Mountains
This is a Western Cordillera mountain region where forests, rivers, and open sunny edges create pockets of pollinator habitat.
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Smallwood Uplands
Smallwood Uplands is a northern taiga-shield landscape where water, rock, and forest shape what plants can thrive.
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Snake River Plain
The Snake River Plain is an open, often dry landscape where water availability strongly shapes what can grow.
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South Central Plains
This region is part of the Southeastern USA Plains and is often shaped by open landscapes, edges (like roadsides and field margins), and patches of natural habitat.
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Southeastern Plains
The Southeastern Plains support a wide range of flowering plants and long bloom windows, which can be great for pollinators when habitat is available.
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Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains
Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains is a mostly rolling, glacially influenced landscape where natural areas, neighborhoods, and farmland sit close together.
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Southern California Mountains
The Southern California Mountains are a patchwork of slopes, canyons, and ridgelines where conditions can shift over short distances.
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Southern Coastal Plain
The Southern Coastal Plain is a wide, lowland region with a strong coastal and river influence—think sandy or loamy soils in some places, wetter soils in others, and lots of habitat variety across short distances.
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Southern Rockies
This ecoregion is defined by mountain terrain, big elevation changes, and patchy habitats that can shift from dry, sunny slopes to cooler, moister pockets.
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Southwestern Appalachians
The Southwestern Appalachians are largely forested landscapes with a mix of sunny openings, edges, and stream corridors that can support a long season of flowering plants.
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Southwestern Tablelands
The Southwestern Tablelands is a prairie-influenced tableland region where water can be the main limiting factor for plants and pollinators.
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Subarctic Coastal Plains
Subarctic Coastal Plains are open, tundra landscapes where plants must grow fast during a short summer.
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Sverdrup Islands Lowland
The Sverdrup Islands Lowland is an extreme Arctic lowland environment where plants grow slowly and flowering opportunities can be limited.
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Texas Blackland Prairies
The Texas Blackland Prairies are prairie landscapes where native grasses and seasonal wildflowers can support pollinators when habitat is available.
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Thompson-Okanogan Plateau
This is a dry interior plateau where water-wise plants and tough, sun-loving wildflowers can shine.
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Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau
The Ungava Bay Basin and George Plateau is a northern Taiga Shield landscape where the growing season is typically short and gardening can be challenging.
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Victoria Island Lowlands
The Victoria Island Lowlands are an Arctic lowland ecoregion where extreme cold and a short growing season make conventional pollinator gardening difficult in many places.
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Wasatch and Uinta Mountains
The Wasatch and Uinta Mountains are defined by elevation, rugged terrain, and big differences between sunny slopes, shaded forests, and stream corridors.
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Watson Highlands
Watson Highlands is a northern, mountain-influenced boreal region where plants and pollinators must handle short summers and big swings in weather.
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Western Allegheny Plateau
This region is often a patchwork of forests, edges, and stream corridors—exactly the kind of “mosaic” landscape where pollinators can thrive when flowers and nesting spots are available.
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Western Corn Belt Plains
This ecoregion sits within the Temperate Prairies and is often associated with wide-open landscapes and a long history of grassland ecology.
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Western Gulf Coastal Plain
The Western Gulf Coastal Plain is a coastal lowland region influenced by rivers, wetlands, and Gulf weather patterns.
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Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is a productive, people-filled landscape where gardens, parks, farms, and natural areas sit close together.
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Wyoming Basin
The Wyoming Basin is a cold-desert ecoregion where native plants are adapted to drought, wind, and temperature extremes.
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Yukon Flats
Yukon Flats is a boreal interior lowland where water—rivers, wetlands, and seasonal flooding—strongly shapes habitats.
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Yukon-Stikine Highlands/Boreal Mountains and Plateaus
This region is defined by boreal mountain-and-plateau landscapes where growing conditions can be challenging but rewarding for hardy native plants.
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