Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Color
Pink/Mauve
Height
3–4 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Wet–medium
Bloom
Jul–Aug
A monarch butterfly host plant. Loves moist soils and rain gardens. Fragrant clusters draw bees and hummingbirds.
OE × Hudson Valley Pollinator Project
Native Plants for the Hudson Valley
A visual field guide to the plants we recommend for pollinator gardens across Orange County and the Hudson Valley. Every species here supports native bees, butterflies, moths, or hummingbirds — and pairs with the free PollinateHV Action Guide below.
Start here
The complete plant list, garden designs, and how-to guides live at PollinateHV.org
The Hudson Valley Pollinator Project maintains the region's most comprehensive, free native-plant guide — hundreds of species matched to specific at-risk pollinators, plus eight ready-made garden designs. Orange Environment recommends it as the starting point for every home garden, meadow, or hedgerow.
Open the PollinateHV Plant List
Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias verticillata
Color
White
Height
1–2 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Dry
Bloom
Jul–Sep
Drought-tolerant, fine-textured native milkweed. Monarch host with delicate white umbels.
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Color
Lavender-violet
Height
2–4 ft
Sun
Full–part sun
Moisture
Dry–medium
Bloom
Jun–Sep
Licorice-scented foliage; a bumblebee magnet. Long bloom and edible leaves for tea.
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Color
Royal purple
Height
3–6 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Aug–Oct
Critical late-season nectar for migrating monarchs and native bees.
Northern Blue Flag
Iris versicolor
Color
Violet-blue
Height
2–3 ft
Sun
Full–part sun
Moisture
Wet
Bloom
May–Jul
Native wetland iris. Perfect for pond edges, rain gardens, and bog plantings.
Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Color
Magenta
Height
2–4 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Jul–Aug
Vertical bottle-brush spikes. A butterfly favorite—especially swallowtails and monarchs.
Midnight Masquerade Penstemon
Penstemon × 'Midnight Masquerade'
Color
Lavender on dark foliage
Height
2–3 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Dry–medium
Bloom
Jun–Jul
Dramatic near-black foliage with lavender bells. Hummingbirds adore the tubular flowers.
Spotted Phlox
Phlox maculata
Color
Pink
Height
2–3 ft
Sun
Full–part sun
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Jun–Aug
Mildew-resistant native phlox. Fragrant pink spires loved by butterflies and clearwing moths.
Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'
Color
Gold/Black
Height
2–3 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Jul–Oct
The classic Hudson Valley meadow flower. Tough, long-blooming, and beloved by goldfinches.
Blue Stem Goldenrod
Solidago caesia
Color
Bright yellow
Height
1–3 ft
Sun
Part shade
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Aug–Oct
Shade-tolerant goldenrod with graceful arching stems. Vital fall pollinator food.
Blue Giant Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum 'Blue Giant'
Color
Blue-violet
Height
3–5 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Dry–medium
Bloom
Jun–Sep
Larger blue-flowered form. Aromatic, deer-resistant, and a true bee buffet.
Pow Wow White Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow White'
Color
White
Height
1.5–2 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Jun–Sep
Compact pure-white coneflower. Steady all-summer blooms; finches feed on the seedheads.
Red Ombre Echinacea
Echinacea Artisan 'Red Ombre'
Color
Red-orange ombre
Height
2 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Jun–Sep
Show-stopping ombré petals from scarlet to mango. Strong stems, sturdy garden performer.
Pale Purple Coneflower
Echinacea pallida
Color
Pale pink-lavender
Height
2–3 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Dry–medium
Bloom
Jun–Jul
Elegant drooping petals on a tall slender stem. Drought-tough true prairie native.
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Color
Magenta-pink
Height
2–4 ft
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Medium
Bloom
Jun–Sep
The pollinator garden essential. Butterflies in summer, goldfinches in winter.
Mariachi Red Sky Gaillardia
Gaillardia SpinTop 'Mariachi Red Sky'
Color
Red & gold
Height
12–14 in
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Dry
Bloom
Jun–Sep
Heat- and drought-loving blanket flower. Fiery color all summer, butterflies all day.
Stone Cottage Farm Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Color
Purple
Height
18–24 in
Sun
Full sun
Moisture
Dry
Bloom
Jun–Aug
Locally grown English lavender. Aromatic, deer-resistant, beloved by bees and humans alike.
In partnership with the Hudson Valley Pollinator Project
The PollinateHV Action Guide
PollinateHV is the comprehensive, free guide for anyone in the Hudson Valley — homeowner, farmer, town, or land trust — who wants to build real habitat for at-risk native pollinators. Orange Environment recommends and links these resources across our work.
Visit PollinateHV.orgPlace, Plants & Pollinators
The science and species behind the guide — why the Hudson Valley is unique and which pollinators are most at risk.
Ready-Made Garden Designs (Free PDFs)
Eight downloadable garden plans using locally native plants — each includes a layout, plant list, and seasonal bloom calendar.
Plan Your Project
Choose the right site and the right plants before you break ground.
Prepare, Source, Install & Manage
The full how-to: site prep, where to buy real natives, planting day best practices, and long-term care.
Hire Help
Find a landscape architect, designer, or ecological landscaper who works in the Hudson Valley.
Resources courtesy of PollinateHV.org. Please credit the original authors when sharing.
Turn your yard into habitat.
Orange Environment's Pollinator Project is mobilizing private landowners across the Hudson Valley to convert lawns into a contiguous pollinator corridor. Explore how your property fits in.
Explore the Pollinator Project