Planting Guide
This planting guide was developed for the central Appalachian broadleaf forests to help landowners manage and develop plant communities and gardens that attract and support our native pollinators. While the honey bee is not a native, it is an important pollinator and requires these same plants to thrive. Yes, our honey bees forage on many of the escaped and horticultural plants in our gardens, however these plants severely impact and reduce the plants that our native pollinators and beneficial insects need, thus reducing our needed insect populations. This is a great resource to consult for lists of plants you want to add and maintain on your property to benefit both your honey bees and all the other insects our system depends upon. These plants will definitely increase the butterfly, moth and bird visitation to your property while also providing your honey bees with the needed protein and nectar sources. Some of these plants can be purchased at the Monarch Alliance Plant sales at Sunny Meadows. Other sources can be found at the Maryland Native Plant Society. Feel free to contact WCBA member Ann Aldrich for more information.
This planting guide was developed for the central Appalachian broadleaf forests to help landowners manage and develop plant communities and gardens that attract and support our native pollinators. While the honey bee is not a native, it is an important pollinator and requires these same plants to thrive. Yes, our honey bees forage on many of the escaped and horticultural plants in our gardens, however these plants severely impact and reduce the plants that our native pollinators and beneficial insects need, thus reducing our needed insect populations. This is a great resource to consult for lists of plants you want to add and maintain on your property to benefit both your honey bees and all the other insects our system depends upon. These plants will definitely increase the butterfly, moth and bird visitation to your property while also providing your honey bees with the needed protein and nectar sources. Some of these plants can be purchased at the Monarch Alliance Plant sales at Sunny Meadows. Other sources can be found at the Maryland Native Plant Society. Feel free to contact WCBA member Ann Aldrich for more information.
Pollinator Plants by Region
For the mid-Atlantic region
For Delaware: Native plants for native bees
For Pennsylvania: Conserving wild bees, both native and naturalized
For Maryland: Native plants for summer and fall honey bee forage
For the mid-Atlantic region
For Delaware: Native plants for native bees
For Pennsylvania: Conserving wild bees, both native and naturalized
For Maryland: Native plants for summer and fall honey bee forage
Plants for Bees
Blooms for Bees: How to Provide Pollen and Nectar Sources
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1222/
Honey Plants
https://www.honey-plants.com
Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping
https://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/pdf/NativePlantsforWildlifeHabitatandConservationLandscaping.pdf
From Montgomery County Beekeepers Association
From Carroll County Beekeepers Association
Blooms for Bees: How to Provide Pollen and Nectar Sources
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1222/
Honey Plants
https://www.honey-plants.com
Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping
https://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/pdf/NativePlantsforWildlifeHabitatandConservationLandscaping.pdf
From Montgomery County Beekeepers Association
From Carroll County Beekeepers Association
Plans for a Pollinator Garden
For information on how to design a garden for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators, check out this helpful Garden Plan from Master Gardener and WCBA member Ann Aldrich.
For information on how to design a garden for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators, check out this helpful Garden Plan from Master Gardener and WCBA member Ann Aldrich.
Native Plant Society Pages – great information including native plant nurseries
Maryland Native Plant Society https://mdflora.org
Pennsylvania Native Plant Society http://www.panativeplantsociety.org/
West Virginia Native Plant Society http://www.wvnps.org/
Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org
Maryland Native Plant Society https://mdflora.org
Pennsylvania Native Plant Society http://www.panativeplantsociety.org/
West Virginia Native Plant Society http://www.wvnps.org/
Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org
Books
Dove, Tony & Ginger Woolridge; Essential Native Trees & Shrubs for the Eastern United States;
Charlesbridge Publishing 2018
Pellett, Frank C.; American Honey Plants; Dadant & Sons 1976, orig published in 1920
Weaner, Larry; Garden Revolution, How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change;
Timber Press 2016
Dove, Tony & Ginger Woolridge; Essential Native Trees & Shrubs for the Eastern United States;
Charlesbridge Publishing 2018
Pellett, Frank C.; American Honey Plants; Dadant & Sons 1976, orig published in 1920
Weaner, Larry; Garden Revolution, How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change;
Timber Press 2016
Neonic-Free Products of Least Concern to Honey Bees
http://centralmarylandbees.org/content/wp-content/uploads/Neonics_alternatives_handout.pdf