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Region profile

Northern Appalachians and Atlantic Maritime Highlands

Northern Appalachians and Atlantic Maritime Highlands is a relatively sparsely populated ecoregion with a severe, humid continental climate, characterized by mixed hardwood and spruce-fir forests, and where recreation, tourism, and forestry are the primary land uses.

Zone

Interior

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

5.3.1

CEC Level II Code

5.3 Atlantic Highlands

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Northern Appalachians and Atlantic Maritime Highlands are vital for pollinators, featuring diverse forests and coastal areas. However, this region faces challenges like habitat fragmentation, climate change impacts (altered bloom times), and pesticide use in agricultural and urban areas. Conserving the mix of natural habitats—from mountains to coasts—is crucial to support the rich variety of native bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators. Efforts must focus on restoring connectivity and promoting sustainable land management practices.

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Northern Appalachians and Atlantic Maritime Highlands, CEC 5.3.1, Northern Appalachians & Atlantic Maritime Highlands, Northern Appalachians/Atlantic Maritime Highlands, Northern Appalachians and Maritime Highlands
Geographic Range	This ecoregion covers the northern and mountainous parts of New England, the Appalachians of Quebec, the uplands of Nova Scotia, and the Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains in New York State.
Climate Snapshot	The ecoregion has a severe, mid-latitude, humid continental climate with warm summers (about 14.5°C) and snowy, cold winters (about -3°C), with a mean annual precipitation of around 1,200 mm.
Terrain Profile	The region is characterized by glaciated hills and mountains with narrow valleys, featuring a maximum elevation of up to 950 meters above sea level in Vermont.
Vegetation Cover	The vegetation is mostly mixed hardwood and spruce-fir forests, transitional between the boreal regions to the north and the broadleaf deciduous forests to the south, featuring typical forests of mixed hardwoods, mixed forests with hardwoods, hemlock, and white pine, and spruce-fir forests.
Wildlife Habitat	The region is home to characteristic wildlife such as moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, red fox, and common loon, along with diverse shorebirds and seabirds.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Uplands are often cooler and windier than nearby lowlands
Coastal influence can moderate temperatures in some areas
“Microclimate” means small local weather differences—for example, a sunny south-facing slope vs. a shaded hollow

Vegetation profile

The vegetation is mostly mixed hardwood and spruce-fir forests, transitional between the boreal regions to the north and the broadleaf deciduous forests to the south, featuring typical forests of mixed hardwoods, mixed forests with hardwoods, hemlock, and white pine, and spruce-fir forests.

Wildlife profile

The region is home to characteristic wildlife such as moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, red fox, and common loon, along with diverse shorebirds and seabirds.

Why pollinators matter here

Many native plants depend on insects to set seed and fruit
Pollinators support food webs (birds and other wildlife rely on seeds/berries and insect prey)
Gardens and managed landscapes can create bloom gaps unless planted intentionally
Diverse native plantings can help pollinators handle variable weather and short growing windows

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

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

Seasonal timing

Early spring: Focus on early-blooming natives and shrubs; watch for late cold snaps
Late spring to early summer: Prime time for planting many perennials and adding mulch lightly (not over crowns)
Summer: Planting can work with consistent watering; prioritize drought-tolerant natives for sunny sites
Late summer to fall: Great for many perennials; roots establish while temperatures cool

Quick seasonal checklist

Add at least 3 bloom windows (spring, summer, fall)
Plant in clumps (easier for pollinators to find)
Keep a small area undisturbed for nesting
Label what you plant so you can fill bloom gaps next year

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 and pollen; safe places to warm up	Plant/keep early bloomers; leave some leaf litter; avoid spring “clean-up” that removes nesting sites
Spring	Steady bloom; nesting materials and sites	Add spring-flowering natives; keep some bare soil; leave hollow stems until later in the season
Summer	Continuous nectar; water; shade/refuge during heat	Plant mid-summer flowers; provide a shallow water dish with stones; keep pesticide-free
Late summer / fall	High-energy nectar for late-season insects; seeds/structure	Plant late bloomers; avoid cutting everything back; let some plants go to seed
Winter	Shelter for overwintering insects (in stems, leaf litter, soil)	Leave stems standing; keep a “messy corner”; plan next year’s bloom sequence

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

A simple way to plan is to think in three parts so something is always blooming:

Spring starter

Spring starter: early bloomers (including shrubs/trees where possible) to feed emerging insects

Summer bridge

Summer bridge: dependable mid-season flowers that carry the garden through peak activity

Fall finisher

Fall finisher: late-season nectar plants (often asters/goldenrods) that help insects 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

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.

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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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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.

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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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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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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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