Pacific Coastal Mountains is a region extending from Anchorage, Alaska, southeastwards to Stewart, British Columbia, characterized by steep, rugged mountains, a subarctic climate, diverse vegetation zones, and significant areas dedicated to parks, outdoor recreation, and resource exploration.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Pacific Coastal Mountains
CEC Level III Code
7.1.4
CEC Level II Code
7.1 Marine West Coast Forest
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Pacific Coastal Mountains, Pacific Coastal Mountain region |
| Geographic Range | The Pacific Coastal Mountains region extends from Anchorage, Alaska, southeastwards to Stewart, British Columbia. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Pacific Coastal Mountains region has a severe, mid-latitude, subarctic climate, transitional between maritime and continental influences, with a mean annual temperature of approximately -0.5°C and annual precipitation ranging from 1,000 mm to over 6,000 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by steep, rugged mountains rising from sea level to over 4,500 masl, capped by ice fields, with abundant arêtes, horns, cirques, and U-shaped valleys, and isolated permafrost patches in higher summits. |
| Vegetation Cover | The Pacific Coastal Mountains vegetation is characterized by alpine tundra above the tree line, transitioning to subalpine forests with alpine fir and mountain hemlock, and finally to closed forests of western hemlock and Sitka spruce at lower, warmer elevations. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Pacific Coastal Mountains region is home to wildlife such as grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, wolves, wolverines, moose, and bald eagles. |
Eco snapshot
The Pacific Coastal Mountains vegetation is characterized by alpine tundra above the tree line, transitioning to subalpine forests with alpine fir and mountain hemlock, and finally to closed forests of western hemlock and Sitka spruce at lower, warmer elevations.
The Pacific Coastal Mountains region is home to wildlife such as grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, wolves, wolverines, moose, and bald eagles.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
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 shelter as insects become active | Plant/maintain early-blooming natives; leave some leaf litter and stems until warmer weather settles |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites for solitary bees | Add a mix of flowers + a few shrubs; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil; avoid pesticides |
| Summer | Reliable nectar during warm/dry spells; water access | Add mid-season bloomers; water new plantings; provide a shallow water dish with stones for landing |
| Late summer/fall | “Last chance” nectar/pollen; energy for overwintering | Plant late bloomers; avoid deadheading everything; leave seed heads and stems standing |
| Winter | Undisturbed shelter (in stems, soil, leaf litter, wood) | Don’t over-tidy; keep some natural debris; plan next season’s bloom sequence |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early flowers (often shrubs and early perennials) to help pollinators as they first become active.
Summer bridge: dependable mid-season bloomers that carry pollinators through the main growing season.
Fall finisher: late-season flowers (often asters/goldenrods) that provide crucial end-of-season fuel.
What You Can Do
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.
Native plants
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.
Blackberries and raspberries (genus Rubus) are flowering bramble shrubs that can feed pollinators in bloom and people later with tasty berries—great for yards, school gardens, and even large containers with support.
Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
Buttonbush is a wetland shrub known for its round, pincushion-like flower clusters that draw in many pollinators. It’s a great choice for rain gardens, pond edges, and any spot that stays consistently moist.
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a flowering shrub known for clouds of blue blooms that can be a big draw for pollinators when it’s planted in the right spot.
Camas (Camassia spp.) is a spring-blooming bulb with starry blue-to-purple flowers that can light up sunny meadows and garden beds while offering early-season nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
Currants and gooseberries are Ribes shrubs that offer early-season flowers for pollinators and later berries for people and wildlife. They’re a great choice for edible landscapes, mixed borders, and small yards where you want a plant that does more than one job.
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.
Hyssops (Agastache) are fragrant, long-blooming wildflowers that are easy to grow and popular with many pollinators. They’re a great choice for sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
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.
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.
Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.
Serviceberries (genus Amelanchier) are small trees with early-season blossoms, edible berries, and strong wildlife value—an easy way to add beauty and pollinator support to a yard, school garden, or even a large container.
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
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.
Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
