Blue Mountains is an ecoregion in northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and western Idaho, characterized by a severe, mid-latitude climate with volcanic origins, featuring diverse elevations, various vegetation zones from grasslands to alpine meadows, and main activities including forestry, recreation, and cattle grazing.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Blue Mountains
CEC Level III Code
6.2.9
CEC Level II Code
6.2 Western Cordillera
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Blue Mountains, CEC 6.2.9 |
| Geographic Range | The Blue Mountains ecoregion is situated primarily in northeastern Oregon, with small areas extending into southeastern Washington and western Idaho. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Blue Mountains ecoregion has a severe, mid-latitude climate with continental and Mediterranean influences, marked by warm, dry summers and cold winters, with mean annual temperatures ranging from approximately -1°C to 10°C and highly variable precipitation (220 mm to over 2,050 mm). |
| Terrain Profile | The Blue Mountains ecoregion is mostly volcanic in origin, with elevations ranging from 305 masl to over 3,000 masl, and is characterized as generally not as high and considerably more open compared to neighboring ecoregions. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetation in the Blue Mountains ranges from low-elevation grasslands and juniper woodlands to forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and grand fir, with higher elevations featuring subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, whitebark pine, and alpine meadows. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Blue Mountains ecoregion supports diverse species including Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, black bear, and various fish like chinook salmon and rainbow trout, alongside numerous bird species such as the golden eagle and pileated woodpecker. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetation in the Blue Mountains ranges from low-elevation grasslands and juniper woodlands to forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and grand fir, with higher elevations featuring subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, whitebark pine, and alpine meadows.
The Blue Mountains ecoregion supports diverse species including Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, black bear, and various fish like chinook salmon and rainbow trout, alongside numerous bird species such as the golden eagle and pileated woodpecker.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter / early spring | Early nectar and pollen; safe shelter | Plant/keep early bloomers; delay heavy cleanup; avoid pesticides |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites starting up | Add native flowers in clumps; leave some bare soil; add a small brush/leaf corner |
| Summer | Reliable nectar during heat/dry spells; water | Choose drought-tolerant natives; provide a shallow water dish; keep blooms continuous |
| Late summer / fall | “Finish-line” flowers; energy for overwintering | Plant late bloomers; avoid deadheading everything; leave seed heads and stems |
| Winter | Protected shelter; undisturbed habitat | Leave leaves/stems; avoid cutting everything back; keep pesticide-free practices year-round |
Seed mix concept
Early bloomers (including early perennials and, where appropriate, flowering shrubs nearby).
Reliable mid-season flowers that handle typical summer conditions.
Late-season asters/goldenrods/rabbitbrush-type blooms to carry pollinators into the end of the season.
What You Can Do
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Many visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while also playing important roles in local food webs.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
Adults can help move pollen as they nectar at flowers, and their caterpillars are an important part of local food webs.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
