Driftless Area is an ecoregion spanning both sides of the upper Mississippi River valley in southeast Minnesota, southwest Wisconsin, northeast Iowa, and northwest Illinois, distinguished by its hilly uplands and deeply dissected, loess-capped, bedrock dominated plateau.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Driftless Area
CEC Level III Code
8.1.5
CEC Level II Code
8.1 Mixed Wood Plains
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Driftless Area |
| Geographic Range | The Driftless Area spans both sides of the upper Mississippi River valley, encompassing southeast Minnesota, southwest Wisconsin, northeast Iowa, and northwest Illinois. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Driftless Area has a severe, mid-latitude, humid continental climate with warm summers, severe winters, a mean annual temperature of 7°C to 9°C, and a mean annual precipitation of 825 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The Driftless Area is a deeply dissected, loess-capped, bedrock-dominated plateau featuring hilly uplands, gently sloping to rolling summits, and steeper valley walls and bluffs with common rock outcrops. |
| Vegetation Cover | The Driftless Area is characterized by a mosaic of prairie with little bluestem, Indiangrass, and sideoats grama, and forests of bur oak, white oak, sugar maple, basswood, and red oak. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Driftless Area is home to various wildlife including white-tailed deer, coyote, fox, beaver, raccoon, mink, gray squirrel, various birds of prey and game birds, and fish such as northern pike, walleye, and bass. |
Eco snapshot
The Driftless Area is characterized by a mosaic of prairie with little bluestem, Indiangrass, and sideoats grama, and forests of bur oak, white oak, sugar maple, basswood, and red oak.
The Driftless Area is home to various wildlife including white-tailed deer, coyote, fox, beaver, raccoon, mink, gray squirrel, various birds of prey and game birds, and fish such as northern pike, walleye, and bass.
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/pollen; safe places to emerge | Leave stems and leaf litter in place a bit longer; add early-blooming native flowers |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites starting up | Plant spring-to-early-summer natives; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil |
| Summer | Reliable nectar/pollen; water during heat | Plant “bridge” bloomers; provide a shallow water source with landing stones; avoid spraying anything |
| Late summer/fall | High-energy nectar; last big feeding window | Prioritize late-blooming natives; let some plants go to seed; reduce mowing where possible |
| Winter | Shelter; undisturbed nesting/overwintering spots | Leave seed heads and stems; keep some leaf litter; delay heavy cleanup until spring warms |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that “turn on” the garden when pollinators first emerge.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry the garden through the busiest months.
Fall finisher: late-season asters and goldenrods (and other fall natives) that provide critical end-of-season fuel.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are tough, long-blooming wildflowers that bring steady color and reliable nectar and pollen to gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
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.
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.
Ironweeds are tall, purple-blooming wildflowers in the genus Vernonia that bring late-season color and steady nectar to pollinator gardens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
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.
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.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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 and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
