Pollinator Conservation Seed Mixes
Support pollinator conservation with native seed mixes:
The Xerces Society partners with the native seed industry to produce wildflower seed mixes meeting Xerces specifications, to provide foraging and nesting resources for a diversity of pollinators. For details about species composition, recommended seeding rate, and how to contact the producer, please download the specification sheet for each seed mix.
If a recommended seed mix for your region is not featured on this page, we have not yet partnered with a regionally-based seed producer to design a mix. To search for a seed mix that is suitable for planting in your region, please visit the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center to browse the list of native pollinator plant nurseries by region, and then contact seed vendors to inquire about the availability of pollinator seed mixes that are composed of native wildflower species.
Also at our Pollinator Conservation Resource Center, you will find recommendations of plants that provide the best resources for bees and information on how to create and protect pollinator habitat in your region.
About the Seed Mixes
Regional seed mixes are locally produced in their respective regions by independent farmers, using local eco-type seed wherever possible. Seeds are not treated with pesticides, and are designed to include widely adapted, non-weedy species. Most species require full sun and average soil drainage. For extremely wet, dry, or shady conditions, please contact the respective nursery in your region for recommendations.
Note that mixes are designed to include multiple blooming species throughout the entire growing season. Only wildflowers with extensive documented value to pollinators are included. Where appropriate, host plants for regionally important butterflies are included, along with bunch grasses to provide bumble bee nest habitat.
How Much Seed Do You Need?
Seed mixes are sold based on planting area size. Depending on the region, and the species included in each mix, 1/4 to 1/3 lb is required for each 1000 ft. For areas of 1/2 acre in size, 3 to 5 lbs of seed is required, and for areas of 1 acre in size, 3 to 10 lbs of seed is necessary. In general, this results in 20 to 40 seeds per square foot of planting area.
Planting Directions
Successfully establishing large areas of wildflowers requires extensive site preparation to remove competing vegetation, especially perennial weeds. Often one to two years of additional follow-up are also required to control weeds in newly established plantings. For detailed information on wildflower establishment, browse the Conservation Guidelines for your region in the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center.
Seed Mixes for NRCS Programs
These seed mixes may meet the requirements for NRCS-administered private landowner conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). For cost-share approval, please consult your local NRCS Service Center prior to purchase.
Regions
California
- California Almond Orchard Understory Seed Mix
- Central Coast/ Southern California Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Seed Mix
- California Central Valley Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Seed Mix
- Central Great Lakes and Midwest Native Seed Mix
- Eastern Great Lakes Native Seed Mix
- Pollinator-Palooza! (Upper Mississippi River Valley Seed Mix)
- Upper Midwest Native Seed Mix
- Western Great Lakes Native Seed Mixes
Seed Mixes
Bee Happy Native Seed Mix For The South-Central U.S.
From Native American Seed in Junction, Texas, this mix includes a diversity of annual and perennial native wildflowers that provide quality sources of nectar and pollen for pollinators. This mix is appropriate for habitat restoration in southern Arizona and New Mexico, eastern Colorado, Kansas, southern Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, northern Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, and the Southeastern coastal plain.[ regions / back to top ]
California Almond Orchard Understory Seed Mix
Produced by Hedgerow Farms, this seed mix has been formulated based on field trials and monitoring conducted by the Xerces Society, the NRCS, Hedgerow Farms and the William’s lab at UC–Davis. This seed mix is designed to provide pollen and nectar resources for pollinators and other beneficial insects in almond orchards, but can also be used in other orchard types, such as apples and stone fruits. The mix consists of early-blooming annual native and non-native wildflowers which provide excellent forage for honey bees, early season solitary bees and natural enemies of crop pests. The species in this mix are low in stature, so should not increase the risk of frost damage during bud swell or bloom. Because the species are all annuals and are generally done blooming by late spring or early summer, they should be easy to clear away from the orchard floor in plenty of time for harvest. The orchard floor should be cleared by mowing only, and should NOT be tilled. All species should re-seed readily the following year, provided they are allowed to go to seed before mowing.[ regions / back to top ]
California Central Coast/ Southern California Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Seed Mix
Produced by S&S seeds, this seed mix has been formulated based on field trials and monitoring conducted by the Xerces Society and other conservation partners. This mix is designed to provide permanent, high quality foraging resources for a diversity of pollinators and other beneficial insects. None of the recommended species are known to serve as alternate hosts for any crop pests. In addition to pollinator attractiveness, species were selected for their ease of establishment, broad natural geographic range, attractiveness to natural enemies, and drought tolerance. This mix is comprised of native wildflowers, and is appropriate for habitat restoration across California’s Central Coast region, as well as most of Southern California. Native bunch grasses that provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects may also be included in the mix.[ regions / back to top ]
California Central Valley Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Seed Mix
Produced by Hedgerow Farms, this seed mix has been formulated based on field trials and monitoring conducted by the Xerces Society, the NRCS, Hedgerow Farms and the William’s lab at UC–Davis. This mix is designed to provide permanent, high quality foraging resources for a diversity of pollinators and other beneficial insects. None of the recommended species are known to serve as alternate hosts for any crop pests. In addition to pollinator attractiveness, species were selected for their ease of establishment, broad natural geographic range, attractiveness to natural enemies, and drought tolerance. This mix is comprised of native wildflowers, and is appropriate for habitat restoration across California’s Central Valley. Native bunch grasses that provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects may also be included in the mix.[ regions / back to top ]
Central Great Lakes and Midwest Native Seed Mix
Produced by Cardno JF New Nursery, this mix includes high quality native perennial wildflowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, and appropriate for habitat restoration in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. The mix also includes one or more species of native bunch grass that provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects.[ regions / back to top ]
Eastern Great Lakes Native Seed Mix
This regionally adapted mix from Ohio Prairie Nursery includes diverse native wildflower species that provide high quality sources of pollen and/or nectar to pollinators, and several species of native bunch grass that provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects. This mix is suitable for planting in Ohio, Indiana, western New York, and western Pennsylvania.[ regions / back to top ]
High Plains Native Seed Mix
This mix produced by Applewood Seed Company includes high quality native wildflowers that attract and support pollinators. Two or more species of native bunch grass are also included, to provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects. This mix is appropriate for habitat restoration at elevations below 6,000 feet in southeastern Wyoming, southwestern South Dakota, western Nebraska, eastern Colorado, western Kansas, eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma and northwestern Texas.[ regions / back to top ]
Mid-Atlantic Native Seed Mix
This mix produced by Ernst Conservation Seeds includes high quality native perennial wildflowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, and a native bunch grass that provides nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects. This mix is suitable for habitat restoration in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, northeastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.[ regions / back to top ]
Northeastern Native Seed Mix
Produced by Ernst Conservation Seeds, this mix includes high quality native perennial wildflowers that are highly attractive to pollinators , and appropriate for habitat restoration in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, northern New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Also included is a native bunch grass that provides nesting habitat for bumble bee and other beneficial insects.[ regions / back to top ]
Pacific Northwest Native Seed Mixes
From Northwest Meadowscapes, attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects with this dramatic wildflower show. The combination of native annuals and perennials in these seed mixes provide an ongoing succession of flowers over multiple years. Unlike many commercially available ‘pollinator’ seed mixes for the Northwest, these mixes consist of 100% true native species, including some fantastic—but often hard-to-find—plants such as Oregon phacelia and Puget Sound gumweed.[ regions / back to top ]
Pennsylvania Native Seed Mix
This mix produced by Ernst Conservation Seeds includes high quality native perennial wildflowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, and a native bunch grass that provides nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects. This mix is suitable for habitat restoration in Pennsylvania.[ regions / back to top ]
Pollinator-Palooza! (Upper Midwest Native Seed Mix)
An all-out party for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators - designed for full sun to partial-shade sites with medium soils. This 3 to 5 foot tall mix boasts 45 native prairie species, including some not commonly available like late figwort and hairy mountain mint. This mix is highly appropriate for habitat restoration in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Produced by Prairie Moon Nursery.[ regions / back to top ]
Southern Rocky Mountain Native Seed Mix
Produced by Applewood Seed Company, this mix features high quality native wildflowers that provide sources of pollen and/or nectar for pollinators. To provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects, two or more species of bunch grass are also included in the mix. This mix is appropriate for habitat restoration in the Southern Rocky Mountains (elevations between 6,000 and 10,000 feet in Wyoming, Colorado & New Mexico).[ regions / back to top ]
Upper Midwest Native Seed Mix
This mix developed by Minnesota Native Landscapes includes high quality native perennial wildflowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, and one or more species of native bunch grass that provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects. This mix is appropriate for habitat restoration in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. This mix is sold as “pure live seed” as opposed to “bulk seed” and is calculated at a robust seeding rate of 40 seeds per square foot, per acre.[ regions / back to top ]
Western Great Lakes Native Seed Mixes
These mixes from Prairie Nursery include high quality annual and perennial wildflowers that provide pollinators with season-long sources of pollen and/or nectar. To provide nesting habitat for bumble bees and other beneficial insects, several species of bunch grass are also included. These mixes are appropriate for habitat restoration in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Separate mixes are available for sites with dry versus mesic soils.[ regions / back to top ]
Partners
