What they do
Adult bee flies drink nectar and often transfer pollen as they move between flowers.
Pollinator profile
Bee flies
Family Bombyliidae
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Category
Flies (flower-visiting flies)
Order
Diptera
Family
Bombyliidae
Also Known As
Bombyliidae, bee fly
Intro
Overview
Bee flies are a family of fuzzy, often bee-like flies that visit flowers for nectar and can act as important pollinators in many ecosystems. They’re especially noticeable because many hover skillfully and feed with a long, straw-like mouthpart. This page helps you recognize bee flies, understand what they need through the seasons, and take practical steps to support them in gardens, schoolyards, and neighbourhood greenspaces.
At a glance
Quick Facts
Food
Nectar from native wildflowers, daisy-family blooms, spring shrubs/trees in flower
Habitat
Undisturbed soil/leaf litter, natural edges, areas that support other insects (for larval development)
Seasonality
Warm, bright parts of the day during peak bloom periods
Where to look
Flower patches, meadows, sunny garden borders, sandy/rocky openings, trail edges
Key takeaways
If you remember only three things
A quick summary you can scan in under 10 seconds.
What they need
A steady sequence of blooms plus “messy” habitat features (soil, leaf litter, natural edges) that support their life stages.
One best action
Plant a mix of region-appropriate native flowers that bloom from early season through late season.
Why it matters
Why they matter
Bee flies are part of the “support team” of pollinators: they may not get as much attention as bees, but they can be frequent flower visitors and effective pollen movers in many habitats. Supporting them also supports a wider web of insects and the plants that depend on insect pollination.
Key Impacts
What this pollinator supports
- They contribute to pollination by visiting many kinds of open, nectar-rich flowers.
- Their fuzzy bodies can pick up and carry pollen as they feed.
- They often help pollinate wildflowers in natural areas and can also show up in gardens with diverse blooms.
- They support plant communities broadly, including native wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and seasonal blooms in the daisy family.
- Many species hover while feeding, allowing them to visit flowers without landing for long.
Identification
Identification guide
Bee flies can look like small bees at first glance, but a few simple features help you separate them from bees and other flies. Focus on how they fly, their body shape, and the mouthparts they use to feed.
1
Look for a fuzzy, rounded body that can resemble a bee or small bumble bee.
2
Notice hovering: many hold position in front of flowers before darting to the next bloom.
3
Check for a long, straight "straw" (proboscis) used to sip nectar.
4
Watch the wings: flies have one main pair of wings (bees have two pairs).
Range and habitat
Where they live
Bee flies occur in many parts of the world, and different species are found across a wide range of climates and landscapes. You’re most likely to encounter them where there are sunny openings and plenty of flowers, especially in places with natural ground features and diverse insect life.
Gardens and schoolyards can help by adding continuous blooms and leaving small areas a bit less “tidy.”
Common Habitats
- Meadows and wildflower-rich grasslands
- Sunny woodland edges and clearings
- Shrublands and open, dry slopes
- Sandy or well-drained areas with sparse vegetation patches
- Prairie-like plantings and naturalized fields
Life cycle
Life cycle and seasonality
Bee flies have a life cycle that includes a flower-visiting adult stage and a developing immature stage that happens out of sight. Because adults depend on nectar and many species appear only during certain bloom windows, having flowers across the whole growing season can make a real difference.
Spring / Early Season
Early-emerging adults may appear when the first sunny days line up with early blooms. Flower visits often focus on early-flowering shrubs, trees, and the first wildflowers.
Summer / Mid-Season
Many sightings happen during peak wildflower season in open, sunny habitats. Adults may move between patches, especially where flowers are dense and diverse.
Late Season
Late blooms can support adults that are still active or species that peak later. Seeded, “finished” garden areas can still provide shelter and habitat structure.
Winter / Dry Season
Immature stages persist in protected microhabitats (often in soil/ground layers or associated with other insects), depending on species and region.
Late-season flowers and seasonal shelter matter because they reduce “bloom gaps” and keep habitat usable as conditions change through the 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 made by flowers that fuels adult bee flies, while pollen is a protein-rich powder that plants use for reproduction and many insects pick up and move between blooms. Bee flies mainly seek nectar, but they can still transport pollen on their bodies as they feed.
Early season
- Flowering native shrubs and small trees (early blossoms)
- Native willows (catkins)
- Early woodland and meadow wildflowers (spring ephemerals where present)
Mid-season
- Native daisies and other composite flowers (aster family types)
- Native legumes (clovers and pea-family types, where appropriate)
- Meadow wildflower mixes with varied flower shapes
Late season
- Asters (aster family types)
- Goldenrods
- Late-blooming native meadow flowers
Best plant choices depend on your region; native plants are usually the best starting point.
Shelter and nesting
Bee flies don’t build nests like bees, but they still need safe places for their life stages and the broader habitat conditions that support their development. In many species, the immature stages develop in close association with other insects and protected ground-level microhabitats, so “cleaning up” every natural feature can reduce what they need.
Leave some leaf litter or natural ground cover in garden edges instead of bare soil everywhere.
Keep a few undisturbed corners (behind shrubs, along fences, under native plantings).
Maintain plant diversity to support a wider insect community (part of their life-stage habitat web).
Avoid frequent deep digging or soil disturbance in all areas at once; rotate where you disturb.
Include sunny, open patches near flowers (many adults prefer warm microclimates).
Threats to avoid
Bee flies are affected by many of the same pressures facing other pollinators: fewer flowers, fewer natural habitat features, and chemical exposure. Because their life cycle depends on both flowering plants and healthy ground-level habitat, they can be sensitive to simplified landscapes.
Habitat loss/fragmentation that removes wildflower-rich openings and natural edges
Pesticides, including systemic pesticides (gets inside the plant) that can contaminate nectar and pollen
Bloom gaps, especially landscapes with only spring flowers and little mid/late-season nectar
Climate stress that shifts bloom timing, increases heat/drought pressure, or changes seasonal patterns
Over-tidying (removing leaf litter, stems, and natural ground features) that reduces life-stage shelter
Take action
How to help
Helping bee flies usually looks like helping flowers and habitat complexity at the same time: more blooms, fewer chemicals, and a little more “wildness” in the right places. Small changes in a yard, balcony, or school garden can add up when many people do them.
Plant for continuous bloom: choose a mix of early-, mid-, and late-season native flowers and flowering shrubs.
Skip pesticides: use non-chemical options first (hand removal, targeted pruning, healthier soil, tolerant planting).
Keep habitat texture: leave a small patch of leaf litter, stems, and undisturbed ground as life-stage shelter.
Add sunny flower patches: place key nectar plants where they get good sun and are easy to find.
Student challenge
Do a 10-minute "flower visitor watch" and record which insects hover versus land—then add one new late-season flower patch to reduce bloom gaps.
Examples
Featured species
Examples from this subgroup. Status varies by region.
Bombylius major
Greater bee fly
This is a well-known example of a fuzzy, hovering bee fly that visits flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms. It’s also a helpful “gateway” species for learning to notice fly pollinators.
Xenox tigrinus
Tiger bee fly
This striking bee fly is a recognizable example of the family’s diversity and their role as flower visitors. Seeing it can be a sign that a habitat supports a range of insects and flowering plants.
Bombylius sp.
Dark-edged bee fly
Many bee flies are easiest to recognize to genus rather than species, and Bombylius is a common, widely observed group of fuzzy flower visitors. Learning this genus helps people notice and report bee flies more accurately.
Definitions
Glossary
Nectar: A sugary liquid produced by flowers that fuels many adult pollinators.
Pollen: A powder made by flowers for reproduction; it can be carried between blooms by visiting animals.
Habitat: The place and conditions an organism needs to live, find food, and reproduce.
Native: A species 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, potentially affecting nectar and pollen.
Bloom gap: A period when few flowers are available, leaving pollinators without reliable food.
Life stage: A phase in an animal’s development (for example, immature stage versus adult).
Pollen: A powder made by flowers for reproduction; it can be carried between blooms by visiting animals.
Habitat: The place and conditions an organism needs to live, find food, and reproduce.
Native: A species 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, potentially affecting nectar and pollen.
Bloom gap: A period when few flowers are available, leaving pollinators without reliable food.
Life stage: A phase in an animal’s development (for example, immature stage versus adult).
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
Agaves
Agaves are bold, sculptural succulents that store water in thick leaves and thrive in bright, dry spots. Their flowers can be a big seasonal draw for pollinators when plants are mature and in bloom.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Blanketflowers
Blanketflowers (Gaillardia) are bright, long-blooming wildflowers that can bring steady color and pollinator visits to sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Coneflowers
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are tough, long-blooming wildflowers that bring steady color and reliable nectar and pollen to gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Creosote bush
Creosote bush (genus Larrea) is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its small yellow flowers and resin-scented leaves. It’s best for dry, open spaces where you want a low-water plant that can still offer nectar and pollen when in bloom.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Desert mallows
Desert mallows (globe mallows) are tough, sun-loving plants in the genus Sphaeralcea that bring warm-colored blooms and easy pollinator value to dry, low-fuss gardens and containers.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Gilias
Gilias (genus Gilia) are airy, nectar-rich wildflowers that can add quick color to sunny spots and help support a variety of pollinators.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Ironweeds
Ironweeds are tall, purple-blooming wildflowers in the genus Vernonia that bring late-season color and steady nectar to pollinator gardens.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Marigolds
Desert marigolds are sunny, daisy-like wildflowers in the genus Baileya that bring bright color and steady nectar to warm, open garden spots.
View plant profile
Mesquites
Mesquites are tough, drought-adapted trees in the genus Prosopis that can add shade and seasonal flowers to dry landscapes while offering nectar and pollen for a range of pollinators.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Ocotillo
Ocotillo is a dramatic desert shrub in the genus Fouquieria, known for tall, wand-like stems and bright flower clusters that can be a valuable nectar stop when in bloom.
View plant profile
Organ pipe & relatives
Organ pipe & relatives are columnar cacti in the genus Stenocereus, grown for their bold, upright stems and showy blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when flowers are open.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Prickly pears
Prickly pears are tough, sun-loving cacti (genus Opuntia) with bright blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when in flower. They’re best for warm, bright spots and gardeners who want a low-water plant with big character.
View plant profile
Prickly poppies
Prickly poppies (genus Argemone) are bold, spiny wildflowers with papery blooms that can add bright color and nectar to sunny, low-fuss garden spots.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Sages
Sages (genus Salvia) are aromatic, nectar-rich plants that can add long-lasting color and steady pollinator activity to gardens, balconies, and schoolyards.
View plant profile
Saguaros
Saguaros are iconic desert cacti that grow slowly, live a long time, and offer seasonal flowers that can support pollinators when grown in the right conditions.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Sunflowers
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Wild buckwheats
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
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.
View plant profile
Yarrow
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
View plant profile
Yucca
Yucca is a group of bold, architectural plants with spiky leaves and tall flower stalks that can add structure to sunny gardens and containers. Many yuccas are tough once established and can be a low-fuss way to offer nectar to visiting pollinators when in bloom.
View plant profile
Regions
Where this pollinator is active
Image
Aberdeen Plains
Aberdeen Plains is a northern plains ecoregion where the growing season is short and conditions can be harsh for gardening.
Explore region profile
Image
Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau
The Abitibi Plains and Riviere Rupert Plateau is largely defined by boreal forest, wetlands, and extensive freshwater networks.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Alaska Peninsula Mountains
The Alaska Peninsula Mountains are a rugged, coastal-influenced mountain region where conditions can be challenging for traditional gardening.
Explore region profile
Image
Alaska Range
The Alaska Range is a high, cold mountain landscape where plants and pollinators must make the most of a short summer.
Explore region profile
Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands are a maritime, wind-shaped island chain with short, challenging growing conditions and many exposed sites.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Arctic Coastal Plain
The Arctic Coastal Plain is a tundra region where plants grow low to the ground and the flowering season is brief.
Explore region profile
Image
Arctic Foothills
The Arctic Foothills are a rugged transition zone where tundra landscapes meet rising hills and mountain fronts.
Explore region profile
Arizona/New Mexico Mountains
The Arizona/New Mexico Mountains are a “sky-island” style landscape: cooler, higher, and often greener than the surrounding lowlands.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Baja California Desert
The Baja California Desert is a warm-desert region where life is adapted to drought, heat, and big swings in how much rain falls from year to year.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are a varied mountain-and-valley landscape where forests, meadows, and river corridors can sit close together.
Explore region profile
Blue Ridge
The Blue Ridge is a forested mountain region with big changes in sun, shade, moisture, and temperature over short distances.
Explore region profile
Image
Boston Mountains
The Boston Mountains ecoregion is a mostly forested landscape of ridges, slopes, and stream valleys.
Explore region profile
Image
Bristol Bay-Nushagak Lowlands
The Bristol Bay–Nushagak Lowlands are tundra-leaning lowlands where wetlands, river corridors, and coastal conditions shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
California Central Coast
The California Central Coast is a patchwork of ocean-edge bluffs, valleys, oak woodlands, chaparral, and coastal mountain habitats.
Explore region profile
California Central Valley
The California Central Valley is a wide, mostly flat interior valley with big rivers, working farms, and growing cities.
Explore region profile
California Deserts & Southern Nevada (Mojave)
The Mojave is a warm-desert region where life is shaped by limited water, intense sun, and big temperature swings.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are a rugged mountain region with big elevation changes, cold winters, and pockets of warmer, sunnier valley habitat.
Explore region profile
Cascades
The Cascades ecoregion is defined by mountains, forests, and dramatic “up-and-down” terrain that creates many local growing conditions.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Central Appalachians
The Central Appalachians are largely forested, with a patchwork of sunny edges, meadows, roadsides, and stream corridors where flowers can thrive.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Chihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert is a place of extremes: dry stretches, sudden flushes of bloom after moisture, and a patchwork of habitats shaped by elevation and water.
Explore region profile
Image
Chilcotin Ranges and Fraser Plateau
The Chilcotin Ranges and Fraser Plateau includes a patchwork of plateaus, forests, grass-leaning openings, and river corridors.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Coast Range
The Coast Range is a coastal mountain landscape shaped by steep terrain, forested slopes, and valleys.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Colorado Plateaus
The Colorado Plateaus are a “cold desert” region where plants and animals are adapted to drought, intense sun, and variable temperatures.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Columbia Plateau
The Columbia Plateau is a “cold desert” ecoregion where water-wise plants and tough, sun-loving habitats are common.
Explore region profile
Cook Inlet
Cook Inlet is a coastal region where ocean air, river corridors, and nearby mountains create many small “pockets” of growing conditions.
Explore region profile
Image
Copper Plateau
Copper Plateau is a boreal-cordillera plateau region where plants and pollinators often have a narrow window to grow, bloom, and reproduce.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Flint Hills
The Flint Hills are a prairie landscape where grasses and wildflowers can form large, connected habitats when managed well.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Great Bear Plains
The Great Bear Plains is a taiga-plains landscape where water, soil, and exposure strongly shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
High Plains
The High Plains are grassland-focused landscapes where water can be the main limiting factor for gardening.
Explore region profile
Image
Hills and Interior Plains with Xeric Shrub and Mesquite Low Forest
This region is a dryland landscape of interior plains and low hills where plants are adapted to heat, drought, and variable rainfall.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands
The Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands are defined by wide-open lowlands and large wetland landscapes.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Idaho Batholith
The Idaho Batholith ecoregion is a rugged, mountainous landscape where forests, meadows, and river corridors create a patchwork of habitats.
Explore region profile
Image
Interior Bottomlands
Interior Bottomlands are low-lying parts of Alaska’s boreal interior where water and soils often shape what can grow.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands
Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands is a northern taiga-shield landscape of rock, water, and hardy vegetation.
Explore region profile
Klamath Mountains
The Klamath Mountains are a complex, mountainous landscape where forests, rocky openings, and river corridors create many different growing conditions close together.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Lake Erie Lowland
The Lake Erie Lowland is a Great Lakes lowland landscape where people live, garden, and farm alongside pockets of natural habitat.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Madrean Archipelago
The Madrean Archipelago is known for its patchwork of habitats created by mountains separated by lower, drier areas.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Maritime Lowlands
The Maritime Lowlands are generally low, coastal-influenced landscapes where forests, wetlands, and human-settled areas sit close together.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Middle Rockies
The Middle Rockies are defined by rugged terrain, big elevation changes, and many “pockets” of different growing conditions.
Explore region profile
Mississippi Alluvial Plain
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain is a wide, fertile river-made landscape with wetlands, oxbows, bayous, and bottomland habitats where they remain.
Explore region profile
Mississippi Valley Loess Plains
The Mississippi Valley Loess Plains are shaped by loess soils that can support rich plant communities when managed well.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Newfoundland Island
Newfoundland Island includes a mix of coastal landscapes, conifer-dominated forests, wetlands, and open barrens.
Explore region profile
North Cascades
The North Cascades are defined by big elevation changes, forested slopes, and river valleys that create many small habitat pockets.
Explore region profile
Image
North Central Appalachians
The North Central Appalachians are known for forested hills, stream corridors, and a patchwork of openings where wildflowers can thrive.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Northern Appalachian Plateau and Uplands
The Northern Appalachian Plateau and Uplands is a landscape of forested uplands, wet pockets, and stream and river corridors.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Northern Minnesota Wetlands
Northern Minnesota Wetlands are defined by water: saturated soils, standing water, and plant communities adapted to wet conditions.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Northwestern Great Plains
The Northwestern Great Plains is a grassland region where native plants are adapted to sun, wind, and periodic dryness.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Ouachita Mountains
The Ouachita Mountains ecoregion is a ridge-and-valley landscape where forests, openings, and stream edges create many “small habitats” close together.
Explore region profile
Ozark Highlands
The Ozark Highlands are a patchwork of forests, woodland edges, open sunny areas, and stream corridors.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Pacific Coastal Mountains
The Pacific Coastal Mountains are known for rugged terrain and forested landscapes influenced by the nearby ocean.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Piedmont
The Piedmont is a region of rolling hills, creeks, and a patchwork of forests, fields, and neighborhoods.
Explore region profile
Image
Piedmont and Plains with Grasslands, Xeric Shrub, and Oak and Conifer Forests
This region blends open grasslands and dry shrublands with pockets of oak and conifer forest—so pollinator habitat can look very different from one hillside to the next.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Smallwood Uplands
Smallwood Uplands is a northern taiga-shield landscape where water, rock, and forest shape what plants can thrive.
Explore region profile
Image
Snake River Plain
The Snake River Plain is an open, often dry landscape where water availability strongly shapes what can grow.
Explore region profile
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is a place of extremes: intense sun, long dry stretches, and bursts of life when rains arrive.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains
Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains is a mostly rolling, glacially influenced landscape where natural areas, neighborhoods, and farmland sit close together.
Explore region profile
Image
Southern California Mountains
The Southern California Mountains are a patchwork of slopes, canyons, and ridgelines where conditions can shift over short distances.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Southwestern Tablelands
The Southwestern Tablelands is a prairie-influenced tableland region where water can be the main limiting factor for plants and pollinators.
Explore region profile
Image
Subarctic Coastal Plains
Subarctic Coastal Plains are open, tundra landscapes where plants must grow fast during a short summer.
Explore region profile
Image
Sverdrup Islands Lowland
The Sverdrup Islands Lowland is an extreme Arctic lowland environment where plants grow slowly and flowering opportunities can be limited.
Explore region profile
Image
Tamaulipas-Texas Semi-Arid Plain
The Tamaulipas–Texas Semi-Arid Plain is a sun-forward, often dry landscape where plants and animals are adapted to heat, variable rainfall, and tough soils.
Explore region profile
Texas Blackland Prairies
The Texas Blackland Prairies are prairie landscapes where native grasses and seasonal wildflowers can support pollinators when habitat is available.
Explore region profile
Image
Thompson-Okanogan Plateau
This is a dry interior plateau where water-wise plants and tough, sun-loving wildflowers can shine.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Watson Highlands
Watson Highlands is a northern, mountain-influenced boreal region where plants and pollinators must handle short summers and big swings in weather.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
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.
Explore region profile
Image
Western Gulf Coastal Plain
The Western Gulf Coastal Plain is a coastal lowland region influenced by rivers, wetlands, and Gulf weather patterns.
Explore region profile
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is a productive, people-filled landscape where gardens, parks, farms, and natural areas sit close together.
Explore region profile
Image
Wyoming Basin
The Wyoming Basin is a cold-desert ecoregion where native plants are adapted to drought, wind, and temperature extremes.
Explore region profile
Image
Yukon Flats
Yukon Flats is a boreal interior lowland where water—rivers, wetlands, and seasonal flooding—strongly shapes habitats.
Explore region profile
Image
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.
Explore region profile