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The Best Trees and Shrubs for Ontario Pollinators
So many times, people will inquire which trees and shrubs to plant to help feed our struggling pollinators. Finally because of these numerous inquiries, I have constructed a listing of native trees and shrubs that bloom from April to September. Different criteria were used to make our choices.
What makes our choices slightly different is that we base selection on bee appeal. Universities rate plants based on their bee appeal. Using these bee appeal value, only plants that were rated as very good or excellent were chosen. Bee appeal usually translates to the production of vast amounts of pollen and nectar available to pollinators. Also, our choices are native since native trees and shrubs have formed intricate relationship bonds with our native pollinators. And lastly, we wanted plant choices to extend food availability for the whole season for hungry insects.
APRIL
SERVICEBERRY (AMELANCHIER spp)
The Serviceberry is a very important source of nectar and pollen for awakening pollinators along with maples and willows.
Serviceberry Trees in Bloom 
Serviceberry Flower 
Serviceberry Fruit
MAY > JUNE
CANADA PLUM (Prunus nigra)
AMERICAN PLUM (Prunus americana)
The Plum are very fragrant and have abundant pollen and nectar.
Flowering Plum Tree 
Plum Flower 
Plum Fruit
CHERRY (Prunus serotina, pensylvania, virginiana)
The Cherry family have abundant pollen and nectar.
Fragrant Cherry Blossoms 
Cherry Flower
EASTERN REDBUD (Cercis canadensis)
Mature Redbud in Bloom 
Redbud Flowers 
Redbud Seed Pods
Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) – Learn more
Adult Buckeye in Bloom 
Ohio Buckeye Flower 
Ohio Buckeye Nuts
NORTHERN CATALPA (Catalpa speciosa) – Learn more
Northern Catalpa in Bloom 
Northern Catalpa Flower 
Northern Catalpa bean pods
INDIGO BUSH (Amorpha fruticosa)
The Indigo Bush flowers for an incredibly long time. Not fragrant but oforous.
Mature Indigo Bush 
Indigo Bush Flower
EASTERN FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus florida)
The Eastern Flowering dogwood produces good amounts of both pollen and nectar.
Adult Flowering Dogwood
JUNE > JULY
HAWTHORN (Crataegys spp)
Mature Hawthorn 
Hawthorn in Bloom 
Hawthorn Fruit
BASSWOOD (Tilia americana)
Basswood produces copious amounts of nectar. Extremely important tree.
Adult Basswood in bloom 
Basswood in Bloom 
Basswood Nut/Fruit
ELDEBERRY (Sambucus nigra)
Eldeberry Bush in Bloom 
Eldeberry Flower 
Eldeberry Fruit
HONEY LOCUST (Gleditsia tricanthos)
Mature Honey Locust 
Honey Locust Flower 
Honey Locust Seed Pods
SUMAC (Rhus spp)
Staghorn bush 
Staghorn Flower 
Staghorn
AUGUST
MEADOWSWEET (Spirea alba)
Meadowsweet is an important nectar and pollen source especially during typical August drought weather.
Meadowsweet Flower 
Meadowsweet Flower