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Region profile

Eastern Corn Belt Plains

Eastern Corn Belt Plains is a region that encompasses large portions of central and eastern Indiana and western Ohio, with a small extension into southern Michigan, characterized by a rolling till plain, humid continental climate, and extensive cropland of corn, soybeans, and wheat.

Zone

Prairie

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

8.2.4

CEC Level II Code

8.2 Central USA Plains

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Eastern Corn Belt Plains (Ecoregion 8.2.4) is characterized by rolling till plains, historically covered by oak-hickory forest and prairie. While largely agricultural today, protecting and enhancing native pollinator habitats—especially amidst widespread farming—is crucial for supporting species like native bees, which require foraging and nesting sites. Factors such as land use, soil characteristics, pesticide use, and the presence of diverse native flora (such as those adapted to its thick drift deposits and varied soil types) directly impact pollinator health and populations in this region.

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Eastern Corn Belt Plains, CEC 8.2.4
Geographic Range	The Eastern Corn Belt Plains region encompasses large portions of central and eastern Indiana and western Ohio, with a small extension into southern Michigan.
Climate Snapshot	The Eastern Corn Belt Plains has a severe, mid-latitude, humid continental climate marked by hot summers and cold winters, with a mean annual temperature ranging from 9°C to 13°C and a mean annual precipitation of 985 mm.
Terrain Profile	The Eastern Corn Belt Plains is primarily a rolling till plain with local end moraines and extensive glacial deposits of Wisconsinan age, underlain by Paleozoic carbonates, shale, and sandstones.
Vegetation Cover	Historically, the region featured beech forests and elm-ash swamp forests, but it is now extensively used for cropland, primarily corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Wildlife Habitat	The Eastern Corn Belt Plains are home to native fauna including white-tailed deer, coyote, various small mammals like the cottontail rabbit and white-footed mouse, and several bird species such as the indigo bunting and eastern bluebird.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Spring weather can swing quickly; late cold snaps are possible.
Summers are often warm; sunny sites can dry out between rains.
Fall can stay mild for a while, then shift quickly toward frost.

Vegetation profile

Historically, the region featured beech forests and elm-ash swamp forests, but it is now extensively used for cropland, primarily corn, soybeans, and wheat.

Wildlife profile

The Eastern Corn Belt Plains are home to native fauna including white-tailed deer, coyote, various small mammals like the cottontail rabbit and white-footed mouse, and several bird species such as the indigo bunting and eastern bluebird.

Why pollinators matter here

Pollinators support wild plants that hold soil, feed birds, and keep ecosystems resilient.
In heavily managed landscapes, habitat can be fragmented—small patches help connect the dots.
A longer season of blooms helps pollinators find food from spring emergence through fall.
Nesting and overwintering sites are often the missing piece in “tidy” landscapes.

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

Timing varies by microclimate; use this as a flexible guide.

Seasonal timing

Early spring: Plan, prep beds, and start with early-blooming natives (or plugs) when soil is workable.
Late spring to early summer: Main planting window for many perennials; keep new plants watered until established.
Summer: Add heat-tolerant bloomers and focus on watering, mulching lightly, and weeding.
Late summer to fall: Great for planting many perennials; also a key time to add late-blooming flowers.
Winter: Observe where snow/drifts, shade, and runoff collect; plan next year’s bloom sequence.

Quick seasonal checklist

Choose at least 3 species: one early, one mid, one late bloomer.
Add one clump (not just one plant) of a reliable native flower.
Leave a small patch of bare, well-drained soil for ground-nesting bees.
Keep some stems/leaves standing until spring warms up.

Yearly needs

Pollinator calendar

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	Plant or plan for early bloomers; avoid spring yard “cleanups” that remove shelter too soon
Spring	Steady food; nesting sites	Add a few native perennials; leave some bare soil; keep a shallow water source available
Summer	Continuous bloom; water during hot/dry spells	Fill bloom gaps with mid-summer natives; water new plantings; avoid all pesticides
Late summer / fall	High-energy nectar; late pollen; overwintering prep	Plant late bloomers; leave seedheads and stems; reduce mowing and trimming
Winter	Shelter and protection	Leave stems, leaf litter, and natural corners; plan next season’s bloom sequence

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

A simple way to plan (or buy/build) a seed mix is to think in three layers so something is always blooming:

Spring starter

Spring starter: early bloomers that help pollinators as they emerge and begin nesting.

Summer bridge

Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that keep food available through the hottest, busiest months.

Fall finisher

Fall finisher: late-season asters/goldenrods and other fall bloomers that help pollinators fuel up before winter.

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.

Get a Bloom Kit View Bloom Map

Native plants

Plants that thrive in this region

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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Pollinators