Variety field guide
What to expect from Eastern Pollinator Mix
Eastern Pollinator Mix brings a changing patchwork of flowers to a sunny meadow edge or garden bed.
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Eastern Pollinator Mix brings a changing patchwork of flowers to a sunny meadow edge or garden bed. Different species take turns blooming, offering visiting insects a longer flower season. The mix is intended for eastern United States plantings, with varied heights and growth rates. Start with a clean seedbed, give seedlings space from weeds, and allow slower plants time to establish beside quicker first-season bloomers.
Minimum seeds per packet: 500 seeds.
A changing flower patch for a longer pollinator season.
Variety and background
Sourced from Applewood Seed Company, Eastern Pollinator Mix combines native annuals and perennials for the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Applewood lists 18 component species; see the species list below. Flowering times, establishment needs, and local native ranges differ among components.
Species in Applewood’s Eastern Pollinator Mix
- Black-eyed Susan — Rudbeckia hirta
- Blue wild indigo — Baptisia australis
- Brown-eyed Susan — Rudbeckia triloba
- Evening primrose — Oenothera biennis
- Golden Alexander — Zizia aurea
- Gray goldenrod — Solidago nemoralis
- Hairy beardtongue — Penstemon hirsutus
- Indian blanket — Gaillardia pulchella
- Lance-leaved coreopsis — Coreopsis lanceolata
- Lavender hyssop — Agastache foeniculum
- Lemon mint — Monarda citriodora
- New England aster — Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Ohio spiderwort — Tradescantia ohiensis
- Partridge pea — Chamaecrista fasciculata
- Plains coreopsis — Coreopsis tinctoria
- Purple coneflower — Echinacea purpurea
- Showy tick trefoil — Desmodium canadense
- Spotted beebalm — Monarda punctata
This is Applewood’s published component list. Refer to the packet or supplier lot label for exact ingredients and proportions. Supplier mixture details.
Growing facts
| Life cycle | Mixture; component life cycles vary |
|---|---|
| Maturity / harvest basis | Flowering varies by component and establishment |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
Soil pH and site suitability
Soil pH: Applewood’s product page does not specify one target pH for this mixture. About pH 6.0–7.0 is a general garden-planning guide, not a tested specification for every species in the blend. Component tolerances vary. Test your soil before adding lime or other amendments and use recommendations suited to the site and its plants.
General soil pH guidance from University of Maryland Extension.
Starting from seed
Prepare a weed-free bed in sun. Sow outdoors in late fall for natural winter conditioning, or in spring; some seeds may wait for later seasons. Scatter evenly, press firmly and cover only very lightly. Keep the surface moist as seedlings establish.
Planting and care
Prepare a weed-free bed in sun. Sow outdoors in late fall for natural winter conditioning, or in spring; some seeds may wait for later seasons. Scatter evenly, press firmly and cover only very lightly. Keep the surface moist as seedlings establish. Sourced from Applewood Seed Company, Eastern Pollinator Mix combines native annuals and perennials for the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Applewood lists 18 component species; see the species list below. Flowering times, establishment needs, and local native ranges differ among components.
Harvest and use
Expect uneven emergence and bloom timing. Weed carefully; avoid sprays on flowers. Leave stems and seed heads for wildlife through winter. For seed, gather ripe dry heads by species; saved mixtures change over time.
Saving seed
A saved generation will not reliably preserve the original mixture or its proportions. Different components flower and ripen at different times and can cross with compatible plants. Follow the supplier lot label and local recommendations when maintaining any individual component.
Common problems
Common concerns: weed competition, uneven distribution, seed buried too deeply, crusted soil, erosion, birds, and assuming staggered emergence means failure. Management: prepare the site before sowing, use a carrier for even broadcasting, press rather than deeply rake, water gently, and identify seedlings before cultivation. Clip tall weeds above the desired stand. Do not overseed simply because slow perennial components are not visible in the first few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes this selection?
Sourced from Applewood Seed Company, Eastern Pollinator Mix combines native annuals and perennials for the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Applewood lists 18 component species; see the species list below. Flowering times, establishment needs, and local native ranges differ among components.
How should I start it?
Prepare a weed-free bed in sun. Sow outdoors in late fall for natural winter conditioning, or in spring; some seeds may wait for later seasons. Scatter evenly, press firmly and cover only very lightly. Keep the surface moist as seedlings establish.
When and how should I harvest?
Expect uneven emergence and bloom timing. Weed carefully; avoid sprays on flowers. Leave stems and seed heads for wildlife through winter. For seed, gather ripe dry heads by species; saved mixtures change over time.
Can I save seed?
A saved generation will not reliably preserve the original mixture or its proportions. Different components flower and ripen at different times and can cross with compatible plants. Follow the supplier lot label and local recommendations when maintaining any individual component.
