Region profile

Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Mississippi Valley Loess Plains is a region stretching from the Ohio River south to Louisiana, characterized by irregular plains, dissected hills, and thick deposits of loess, with a mild, humid subtropical climate, and a land use mosaic of forest, pine plantations, pasture, and cropland, including soybeans, cotton, corn, wheat, and hay.

Zone

Prairie

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

8.3.6

CEC Level II Code

8.3 Southeastern USA Plains

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Mississippi Valley Loess Plains, characterized by deep, silty, and erosive loess deposits, faces challenges for pollinators due to intensive agriculture. The flat topography to the east and steep bluff hills to the west influence land use, often leading to monocropping and habitat loss. Pollinator health here is dependent on preserving remnant forests and establishing wildflower buffer strips to mitigate pesticide exposure and provide necessary forage and nesting sites across this economically important region.

Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Mississippi Valley Loess Plains, CEC 8.3.6, “Loess Plains”
Geographic Range	Stretching from western Kentucky south to Louisiana, this ecoregion is characterized by irregular plains and dissected hills near the Mississippi River, thick loess deposits, and a mild, humid subtropical climate.
Climate Snapshot	The Mississippi Valley Loess Plains has a mild, mid-latitude, humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, a mean annual temperature between 14°C and 20°C, and mean annual precipitation of 1,419 mm.
Terrain Profile	The region is composed of irregular plains with some gently rolling hills, along with dissected hills, ridges, and bluffs near the Mississippi River, distinguished by thick deposits of loess and underlain by Tertiary period deposits of sand, silt, and clay.
Vegetation Cover	Upland forests in this region are dominated by oaks, hickories, and pines in the gently rolling plains to the east, while the rugged Bluff Hills to the west feature oak-hickory and southern mesophytic forests including beech, maples, and southern magnolia.
Wildlife Habitat	The Mississippi Valley Loess Plains region is home to white-tailed deer, red fox, raccoon, weasel, gray squirrel, various birds like the wood thrush and wild turkey, and the bayou darter.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Warm growing season conditions are typical, but microclimates (small local weather differences) can change what thrives—especially on sunny slopes vs. shaded areas.
Periods of heat can make water-wise plant choices important.

Vegetation profile

Upland forests in this region are dominated by oaks, hickories, and pines in the gently rolling plains to the east, while the rugged Bluff Hills to the west feature oak-hickory and southern mesophytic forests including beech, maples, and southern magnolia.

Wildlife profile

The Mississippi Valley Loess Plains region is home to white-tailed deer, red fox, raccoon, weasel, gray squirrel, various birds like the wood thrush and wild turkey, and the bayou darter.

Why pollinators matter here

Pollinators support wildflowers and native plant reproduction, which helps stabilize local food webs.
Diverse pollinators can improve fruit/seed set in many gardens and nearby landscapes.
Habitat can be patchy, so small gardens and schoolyards can act like “stepping stones.”
Long bloom potential means you can provide season-long nectar and pollen with good planning.

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

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

Seasonal timing

Late winter / early spring: Plan your patch, prep beds, and start with early bloomers if available from local native plant sellers.
Spring: Main planting window for many natives; focus on establishing roots before summer heat.
Summer: Maintain with deep, infrequent watering as needed; add heat-tolerant bloomers for continuity.
Late summer / fall: Great for planting many perennials; cooler weather can help roots establish.
Winter: Leave stems and leaf litter in place; plan additions for next year.

Quick seasonal checklist

Choose at least 3 bloom windows (early/mid/late).
Plant in clumps (easier for pollinators to find).
Keep one small area for nesting (bare soil or stems).
Avoid pesticides; use hand-pulling and mulching instead.

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 shelter as insects “wake up”	Plant/maintain early-blooming natives; leave some leaf litter and stems; provide a shallow water source with stones
Spring	Lots of flowers; nesting sites for bees starting new nests	Add a mix of native flowers; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil; avoid all pesticide use
Summer	Continuous bloom; water during heat; shade/rest spots	Plant heat-tolerant natives; water new plants deeply (site-dependent); include some taller plants for light shade
Late summer / fall	High-energy nectar for migration and overwintering prep; late pollen	Prioritize late bloomers; avoid cutting everything back; let some seedheads stand
Winter	Undisturbed shelter in stems, soil, and leaf litter	“Pause the cleanup”; leave stems standing; delay heavy pruning until warmer weather returns

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

A simple way to plan is to think in three layers of timing so something is always blooming:

Spring starter

Spring starter: early bloomers that help pollinators coming out of winter and starting nests.

Summer bridge

Summer bridge: heat-tolerant flowers that keep nectar/pollen available through the hottest stretch.

Fall finisher

Fall finisher: late-season powerhouses (often asters and goldenrods) that fuel end-of-season needs.

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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Pollinators