Region profile

Northwestern Glaciated Plains

Northwestern Glaciated Plains is a transitional region between the Northern Glaciated Plains to the east and the Northwestern Great Plains to the south and southwest, characterized by rolling hills, gentle plains mantled by glacial sediments, a dry, mid-latitude steppe climate, and land uses including rangeland and spring wheat cultivation.

Zone

Prairie

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

9.3.1

CEC Level II Code

9.3 West-Central Semi-Arid Prairies

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Northwestern Glaciated Plains is a critical mixed-grass prairie landscape defined by its flat to gently rolling glacial terrain and subhumid climate. Pollinators thrive here, relying on the diverse native grasses and forbs. However, habitat loss due to agriculture, pesticide use, and the spread of invasive species threaten these populations. Conservation efforts focusing on restoring native plant communities and reducing chemical use are vital for “A Billion Small Steps.”

Region image

Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Northwestern Glaciated Plains
Geographic Range	The Northwestern Glaciated Plains extend from Saskatoon and Calgary south through portions of southwestern Saskatchewan, southeastern Alberta, northern Montana, the central Dakotas along the Missouri River, and a small part of northern Nebraska.
Climate Snapshot	The ecoregion has a dry, mid-latitude steppe climate with warm to hot summers (15.5°C to 16°C) and cold winters (-10°C to -11°C), and a mean annual precipitation ranging from 250 to 550 mm.
Terrain Profile	The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and gentle plains covered primarily by moraine, outwash, and glaciolacustrine sediments.
Vegetation Cover	The vegetation is characterized by once-dominant native grasses like spear grass, blue grama grass, and wheat grass, with shrubs, herbs, and some species like yellow cactus and prickly pear in drier sites, and scrubby aspen, willow, cottonwood, and box elder on shaded slopes.
Wildlife Habitat	The Northwestern Glaciated Plains are home to common species such as white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, coyote, golden eagle, and prairie dog.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Often dry and windy, which can stress shallow-rooted garden plants
Rain and temperature can vary a lot year to year
Microclimates (small local weather differences) show up near water, slopes, and sheltered spots

Vegetation profile

The vegetation is characterized by once-dominant native grasses like spear grass, blue grama grass, and wheat grass, with shrubs, herbs, and some species like yellow cactus and prickly pear in drier sites, and scrubby aspen, willow, cottonwood, and box elder on shaded slopes.

Wildlife profile

The Northwestern Glaciated Plains are home to common species such as white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, coyote, golden eagle, and prairie dog.

Why pollinators matter here

Pollinators help native wildflowers and many food plants reproduce
Diverse blooms support a wider range of native bees and butterflies
Prairie-style plantings can be drought-tough and low-maintenance once established
Habitat “patches” (yards, school grounds, parks) can connect larger natural areas

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

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

Seasonal timing

Early season: focus on hardy natives and early bloomers; prepare soil and plan watering
Main growing season: plant and maintain; aim for steady bloom and avoid letting everything flower at once
Late season: add late-blooming natives; leave seedheads and stems for wildlife

Quick seasonal checklist

Choose mostly native, drought-tolerant plants suited to your soil
Group plants by water needs (so you don’t overwater the tough ones)
Mulch lightly where appropriate, but keep some bare soil for ground-nesting bees
Plan for at least three “waves” of bloom: early, mid, late

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”	Leave some leaf litter and standing stems; plan/plant early bloomers; avoid spring pesticide applications
Spring	Reliable flowers; nesting sites starting up	Plant early and mid-season natives; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil; provide shallow water (pebbles in a dish)
Summer	Continuous bloom; water during dry spells; shade/shelter	Add heat- and drought-tolerant bloomers; water deeply but less often; keep flowers coming in clusters
Late summer/fall	Late-season nectar; seedheads; places to overwinter	Plant late bloomers; stop deadheading some plants; leave stems and seedheads standing
Winter or Dry Season	Protected overwintering habitat	Don’t “clean up” everything; leave stems, grasses, and a brushy corner; plan next year’s bloom sequence

Keystone plants

Keystone plants by season

Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.

Early Bloom

Prairie smoke
Golden alexanders
Wild lupine
Prairie violet
Purple prairie clover
White prairie clover
Blanketflower
Bee balm (wild bergamot)
Black-eyed Susan

Mid-Season Bloom

Late-Season Bloom

Maximilian sunflower
Stiff goldenrod
Showy goldenrod
Smooth aster
New England aster

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

A simple way to plan a pollinator patch here is to think in three layers that keep flowers coming even when weather is unpredictable:

Spring starter

Early bloomers that help the first emerging bees

Summer bridge

Drought-tough mid-season flowers that carry the garden through heat and wind

Fall finisher

Asters/goldenrods and other late bloomers that fuel pollinators 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.

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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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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