Southwestern Appalachians is an ecoregion occurring in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, characterized by a mild, humid subtropical climate, mixed oak and shortleaf pine forests, moderate to high density of perennial streams, and a mix of rolling tableland and steep mountainsides with prevalent forest and woodland land uses.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Southwestern Appalachians
CEC Level III Code
8.4.9
CEC Level II Code
8.4 Ozark, Ouachita-Appalachian Forests
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Southwestern Appalachians, CEC 8.4.9, “Southwestern Appalachian Mountains”, “Southwestern Appalachian forests” |
| Geographic Range | The Southwestern Appalachians ecoregion, designated as CEC Level III Region 8.4.9, occurs in parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Southwestern Appalachians ecoregion has a mild, mid-latitude, humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters, a mean annual temperature between 12°C and 16°C, and a mean annual precipitation of 1,447 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain includes undulating and rolling tableland on the plateau surfaces, areas with long, steep mountainsides featuring cliffs, ravines, and gorges, and the long, narrow Sequatchie Valley. |
| Vegetation Cover | Upland forests are dominated by mixed oaks with shortleaf pine, while mixed mesophytic forests with species like maple, beech, and ash are restricted mostly to deeper ravines and escarpment slopes. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Southwestern Appalachians region is home to mammals like white-tailed deer and black bear, birds such as the wild turkey and cardinal, and reptiles/amphibians including the timber rattlesnake and green salamander. |
Eco snapshot
Upland forests are dominated by mixed oaks with shortleaf pine, while mixed mesophytic forests with species like maple, beech, and ash are restricted mostly to deeper ravines and escarpment slopes.
The Southwestern Appalachians region is home to mammals like white-tailed deer and black bear, birds such as the wild turkey and cardinal, and reptiles/amphibians including the timber rattlesnake and green salamander.
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 and warm up | Leave some leaf litter and stems; add early-blooming native flowers; avoid spring pesticide applications |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting materials and sites | Plant a mix of spring bloomers; keep some bare, well-drained soil; provide shallow water with landing spots (stones) |
| Summer | Reliable nectar/pollen during heat; shade/shelter | Add mid-summer bloomers; water new plantings; keep flowers coming in sunny patches and edges |
| Late summer/fall | High-energy nectar/pollen to prepare for winter; late-season host/forage plants | Prioritize late bloomers; reduce mowing; let some plants go to seed; avoid “fall cleanup” that removes shelter |
| Winter | Protected overwintering sites (stems, leaf litter, soil) | Leave stems standing; keep some leaves in garden beds; avoid disturbing ground and brush piles until spring warms |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that help pollinators as soon as they emerge.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry pollinators through the hottest, busiest months.
Fall finisher: late-season nectar and pollen (often the difference between “some help” and “real habitat”).
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.
