Native Plants for Early Spring Pollinators – What to Grow & Why
As winter fades and spring begins to bloom, Georgia’s pollinators emerge, searching for their first food sources of the season. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects rely on early-flowering plants to provide nectar and pollen—but traditional landscapes often lack these essential early blooms.
By incorporating native, medicinally beneficial plants into your garden, you can support local pollinators while cultivating a space rich in beauty and healing herbs. In this guide, we’ll explore seven native Georgia plants that provide early-season nectar and explain how to grow them in your own garden.
Why Early-Blooming Native Plants Matter
Pollinators play a crucial role in our ecosystem, but they face increasing threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Many emerge in early spring before the bulk of flowers bloom, making early-flowering native plants essential for their survival.
The Benefits of Planting Natives for Pollinators:
Rich in nectar and pollen – Perfectly timed for early-season foragers.
Adapted to Georgia’s climate – Hardy, resilient, and require less maintenance.
Support biodiversity – Attract beneficial insects that help maintain ecological balance.
Double as medicinal herbs – Some early bloomers can be harvested for teas, tinctures, and remedies.
By planting these medicinal native species, you’re not only helping pollinators thrive but also growing herbs with healing properties for yourself!
Top Native Georgia Plants for Early Spring Pollinators
1. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Why it’s great: Wild Columbine is one of the earliest nectar sources for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its delicate, red-and-yellow hanging flowers make it a striking addition to woodland edges and shaded gardens.
Best for: Hummingbirds, bumblebees, and butterflies like the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Medicinal Benefits: Traditionally, Wild Columbine was used by Indigenous peoples to treat skin irritations and minor digestive issues. The seeds were also crushed and used as a natural insect repellent.
Growing Tips:
Prefers partial shade but tolerates full sun with enough moisture.
Thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Self-seeds easily, making it a low-maintenance choice for naturalized gardens.
2. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Why it’s great: Often dismissed as a weed, Dandelions are one of the most important early-season nectar sources for bees. Their bright yellow blooms appear before many other flowers, ensuring that pollinators have a food source when they need it most.
Best for: Honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Medicinal Benefits: Dandelions are packed with vitamins and antioxidants. The leaves are a powerful liver tonic, the roots can be used in teas for digestion, and the flowers are excellent for skin care.
Growing Tips:
Prefers full sun and tolerates most soil types.
Can be grown in pots to control spreading.
Harvest leaves early in spring for the least bitter taste.
3. Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)
Why it’s great: With clusters of small golden flowers, Golden Alexander is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly and provides nectar for bees, wasps, and beetles. It’s an early-blooming member of the carrot family, making it a perfect companion to other medicinal herbs.
Best for: Butterflies, native bees, beneficial wasps, and hoverflies.
Medicinal Benefits: Traditionally, Golden Alexander was used for its antimicrobial properties and as a digestive aid. Its close botanical relatives include plants like Queen Anne’s Lace and Angelica, which are often used in herbal remedies.
Growing Tips:
Thrives in moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.
Works well in pollinator meadows or as a border plant in herb gardens.
Avoid over-harvesting—leave plenty for the Black Swallowtail caterpillars!
4. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Why it’s great: This native perennial wildflower produces delicate purple blooms that attract early-season pollinators like mason bees and small butterflies. It’s also deer-resistant, making it a great addition to gardens in areas with high wildlife activity.
Best for: Native bees, beetles, and small butterflies.
Medicinal Benefits: Wild Geranium is rich in tannins, making it an excellent astringent for wound healing, sore throats, and skin conditions. A poultice of its leaves was traditionally used for minor cuts and bruises.
Growing Tips:
Prefers part shade and moist, rich soil, but tolerates drier conditions once established.
Great for woodland gardens or shaded edges of pollinator beds.
Can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes in the fall.
5. Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis)
Why it’s great: Wood Betony is one of the most versatile early-blooming perennials, offering nectar for a wide variety of bees and butterflies. Its purple, spiky flowers make a beautiful statement in pollinator gardens.
Best for: Bumblebees, solitary bees, and butterflies.
Medicinal Benefits: Wood Betony has been prized in European and Native American herbal traditions for centuries. It is known for its ability to reduce headaches, relieve digestive issues, and support nervous system health. It is commonly used in teas and tinctures.
Growing Tips:
Thrives in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil.
A perfect companion plant for other medicinal herbs like lemon balm and chamomile.
Can be cut back after flowering to encourage a second bloom in summer.
6. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Why it’s great: This stunning blue wildflower is a favorite of bees and early butterflies, blooming just as pollinators begin their foraging season. The bell-shaped flowers provide deep nectar reservoirs for long-tongued pollinators like hummingbird moths.
Best for: Bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths.
Medicinal Benefits: Virginia Bluebells have mild astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and were sometimes used in traditional herbal teas for respiratory support.
Growing Tips:
Prefers moist, rich soil and part to full shade.
Ideal for woodland gardens and shaded wildflower meadows.
7. Wild Violets (Viola sororia)
Why it’s great: Often overlooked as a common groundcover, wild violets are actually a critical early nectar source for pollinators like small bees and butterflies.
Best for: Early-season bees, fritillary butterflies, and hoverflies.
Medicinal Benefits: Wild Violets are packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, making them great for immune-boosting teas, infused syrups, and skin-soothing salves.
Growing Tips:
Thrives in moist, partially shaded areas.
Can be used as a natural ground cover in pollinator gardens.
Designing Your Early Spring Pollinator Garden
To create a thriving pollinator haven, consider these tips:
Layer your plantings: Use a mix of perennials, groundcovers, and small shrubs to create a rich habitat.
Provide sunny and shaded areas: Pollinators need a mix of conditions for foraging and resting.
Skip the pesticides: Even organic pesticides can harm beneficial insects.
Plant in clusters: Pollinators find it easier to locate large patches of the same flower rather than scattered individual plants.
Where to Find These Plants
At Planted Wellness Co., we offer a carefully selected range of native, medicinal, and pollinator-friendly plants to help you build a thriving garden.
Visit us at our next pop-up event! Check our schedule here.
Shop native plants online & pick up at a market near you!
Final Thoughts: Grow for Pollinators, Harvest for Wellness
By planting native, early-season bloomers, you’re not only feeding pollinators but also cultivating healing herbs for your own use. Whether you want to attract butterflies, help save the bees, or start your own medicinal herb garden, these five plants are a perfect place to begin.
Ready to start your pollinator garden? Visit Planted Wellness Co. for locally grown, high-quality native plants and expert advice!
