Region profile

Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains

Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains is a highly productive agricultural region characterized by flat to gently rolling glacial plains, a severe humid continental climate, and native landscapes of aspen groves and fescue grasslands, extending across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

Zone

Prairie

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

9.2.1

CEC Level II Code

9.2 Temperate Prairies

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains and a moderate to high vulnerability index. Factors like habitat loss due to development, and the use of chemical insecticides and fungicides, including neonicotinoids, contribute to immune-suppressing stress and disease in bee colonies. Protecting the native flora and managing pesticide use are key steps to supporting pollination in this vital ecoregion.

Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains, Aspen Parkland Northern Glaciated Plains, CEC 9.2.1
Geographic Range	This region extends in an arc-like manner from Calgary, Alberta, across Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba, and south into North Dakota, South Dakota, and a small portion of western Minnesota.
Climate Snapshot	The ecoregion has a severe, mid-latitude, humid continental climate, bordering on a dry mid-latitude steppe climate, characterized by short, warm summers and long, cold winters with mean annual temperatures ranging from 1.5°C to 8°C and mean annual precipitation from 400 to 610 mm.
Terrain Profile	The region is characterized by flat to gently rolling plains composed of glacial moraine, with areas of lacustrine and hummocky to ridged fluvioglacial deposits.
Vegetation Cover	In its native state, the landscape was characterized by trembling aspen, oak groves, mixed tall shrubs, and intermittent fescue grasslands, with drier sites supporting bur oak and transitional grassland containing tallgrass and shortgrass prairie species.
Wildlife Habitat	The Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains region provides major breeding habitat for waterfowl and supports species like white-tailed deer, coyote, snowshoe hare, and various bird species such as sharp-tailed grouse and black-billed magpie.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Climate pattern notes are being added.

Vegetation profile

In its native state, the landscape was characterized by trembling aspen, oak groves, mixed tall shrubs, and intermittent fescue grasslands, with drier sites supporting bur oak and transitional grassland containing tallgrass and shortgrass prairie species.

Wildlife profile

The Aspen Parkland/Northern Glaciated Plains region provides major breeding habitat for waterfowl and supports species like white-tailed deer, coyote, snowshoe hare, and various bird species such as sharp-tailed grouse and black-billed magpie.

Why pollinators matter here

Pollinator impact notes are being added.

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

Timing varies by microclimate; use this as a flexible guide.

Seasonal timing

Seasonal timing notes are being added.

Quick seasonal checklist

Seasonal checklist notes are being added.

Yearly needs

Pollinator calendar

What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.

Season	What pollinators need most	What you can do
Late winter/early spring	Early nectar/pollen; safe places to emerge	Leave some leaf litter and stems until it’s consistently mild; plan early-bloom natives; avoid early “preventative” pesticide use
Spring	Steady bloom; nesting sites starting up	Plant early and mid-season flowers; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil for ground nesters; provide shallow water (pebbles in a dish)
Summer	Continuous nectar/pollen; water during hot/dry spells	Prioritize drought-tolerant natives for sunny spots; water new plantings; keep blooms coming with a mix of species
Late summer/fall	“Last chance” nectar; seed/cover for overwintering	Plant late bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce deadheading; avoid fall pesticide applications
Winter or Dry Season	Shelter and undisturbed nesting	Leave stems standing; keep brush/leaf piles in a corner; avoid heavy fall cleanup that removes overwintering habitat

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

A simple way to plan is to think in three layers so something is blooming most of the growing season:

Spring starter

Early bloomers (and early-leafing plants) to support emerging bees.

Summer bridge

Dependable mid-season flowers that carry the “main nectar flow.”

Fall finisher

Asters and goldenrods (and other late bloomers) to close the season strong.

What You Can Do

Make a difference for native habitats.

Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.

Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.

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Native plants

Plants that thrive in this region

Asters

Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.

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Blanketflowers

Blanketflowers (Gaillardia) are bright, long-blooming wildflowers that can bring steady color and pollinator visits to sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.

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Blazing stars

Blazing stars (Liatris) are upright, purple-pink wildflowers that bloom in showy spikes and are well-loved by many pollinators. They’re a strong choice for sunny gardens, borders, and meadow-style plantings.

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Clovers

Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.

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Coneflowers

Coneflowers (Echinacea) are tough, long-blooming wildflowers that bring steady color and reliable nectar and pollen to gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.

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Coreopsis

Coreopsis (often called tickseed) is a cheerful, long-blooming group of wildflowers that can brighten gardens and containers while offering easy-to-find nectar and pollen for many pollinators.

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Goldenrods

Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.

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Ironweeds

Ironweeds are tall, purple-blooming wildflowers in the genus Vernonia that bring late-season color and steady nectar to pollinator gardens.

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Milkweeds

Milkweeds are tough, nectar-rich wildflowers in the genus Asclepias that can turn a garden bed, schoolyard edge, or even a sunny pot into a pollinator stop.

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Mountain mints

Mountain mints are tough, fragrant native wildflowers that bloom in summer and are famous for drawing in a busy mix of pollinators. They’re easy to grow, handle a range of garden conditions, and make a great “plant it and watch it” choice for pollinator patches.

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Prairie clovers

Prairie clovers (genus Dalea) are prairie wildflowers with tidy, clover-like leaves and bottlebrush-style blooms that are popular with many pollinators. They’re a great choice for sunny, well-drained spots where you want long-lasting summer color without fussy care.

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Prairie coneflowers

Prairie coneflowers (Ratibida) are tough, sunny wildflowers with drooping petals and a bold cone-shaped center that pollinators can easily find. They’re a great choice for low-fuss gardens, schoolyards, and naturalized patches where you want long-lasting summer color.

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Sunflowers

Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.

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Wild bergamot & bee balms

Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.

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Wild indigos

Wild indigos (genus Baptisia) are long-lived native wildflowers known for upright flower spikes, clover-like leaves, and a tough, low-fuss nature once established. They’re a strong choice for pollinator-friendly gardens where you want reliable blooms and a plant that can hold its own without constant care.

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Wild sunflowers’ relatives

Silphium (often called rosinweed) is a group of tall, tough native wildflowers known for sunflower-like blooms and long-lasting nectar and pollen. They’re a strong choice for pollinator gardens, schoolyards, and naturalized edges where you want big plants that can handle summer heat once established.

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Pollinators