Piedmonts and Plains with Grasslands, Xeric Shrub, and Oak and Conifer Forests is a region extending through northern and central Mexican states like Durango and Zacatecas, characterized by very dry to semi-dry, mild climates, predominantly natural grasslands (49 percent of vegetative cover), and a physiography of plains and hills with an average elevation of 1,900 masl.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Piedmont and Plains with Grasslands, Xeric Shrub, and Oak and Conifer Forests
CEC Level III Code
12.1.2
CEC Level II Code
12.1 Western Sierra Madre Piedmont
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Piedmont and Plains with Grasslands, Xeric Shrub, and Oak and Conifer Forests, Piedmont and Plains with Grasslands Xeric Shrub and Oak and Conifer Forests, Piedmont & Plains |
| Geographic Range | This region extends from northern Chihuahua to the Bajío region of central Mexico, including large portions of Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, and Jalisco. |
| Climate Snapshot | The predominant climates are very dry, dry and semi-dry, with mild temperatures, fairly abundant summer rainfall, minimal winter rainfall, and a mean annual temperature fluctuating between 12 and 18°C. |
| Terrain Profile | The predominant physiography consists of plains and hills extending to the west of the Mexican central highlands, with small mountainous areas and isolated plateaus of sedimentary and volcanic origin, and an average elevation of 1,900 masl, varying from 1,200 to 2,500 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetative cover is dominated by natural grasslands (approximately 49 percent), complemented by microphyllus, crasicaul, and rosette desert shrub, pine, oak, and mixed forests, low thorn mesquite forest, and some tropical deciduous forest. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The region's Neartic wildlife includes mammals like the American black bear, Mexican wolf, and mule deer, along with birds such as the wild turkey and Canada goose, and reptiles like the Mexican west coast rattlesnake and horned lizards. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetative cover is dominated by natural grasslands (approximately 49 percent), complemented by microphyllus, crasicaul, and rosette desert shrub, pine, oak, and mixed forests, low thorn mesquite forest, and some tropical deciduous forest.
The region’s Neartic wildlife includes mammals like the American black bear, Mexican wolf, and mule deer, along with birds such as the wild turkey and Canada goose, and reptiles like the Mexican west coast rattlesnake and horned lizards.
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 they emerge | Plant/maintain early bloomers; leave last season’s stems and leaf litter a bit longer; provide a shallow water source with landing stones |
| Spring | Steady blooms; nesting sites (soil, stems, cavities) | Add a mix of native flowers; keep some bare ground; avoid pesticides; plant in clumps so pollinators can feed efficiently |
| Summer | Heat/drought support; continuous bloom; shade/windbreaks | Prioritize drought-tolerant natives; water new plants deeply but infrequently (if watering); include shrubs for shelter; keep blooms coming |
| Late summer/fall | “Finish-line” nectar/pollen to build reserves; seed set | Plant late bloomers; avoid deadheading everything (let some plants seed); keep habitat “messy” in a corner |
| Winter or Dry Season | Overwintering shelter (stems, leaf litter, soil); protection from disturbance | Don’t over-tidy; leave stems standing; delay heavy cleanup; plan next year’s bloom sequence and add missing seasons |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that wake up the garden and support emerging pollinators.
Summer bridge: heat- and drought-tough flowers that keep nectar/pollen available when conditions are harsh.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often asters/goldenrods/rabbitbrush-type plants) that help pollinators stock up before the cold or dry season.
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
Agaves are bold, sculptural succulents that store water in thick leaves and thrive in bright, dry spots. Their flowers can be a big seasonal draw for pollinators when plants are mature and in bloom.
Creosote bush (genus Larrea) is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its small yellow flowers and resin-scented leaves. It’s best for dry, open spaces where you want a low-water plant that can still offer nectar and pollen when in bloom.
Desert mallows (globe mallows) are tough, sun-loving plants in the genus Sphaeralcea that bring warm-colored blooms and easy pollinator value to dry, low-fuss gardens and containers.
Desert marigolds are sunny, daisy-like wildflowers in the genus Baileya that bring bright color and steady nectar to warm, open garden spots.
Mesquites are tough, drought-adapted trees in the genus Prosopis that can add shade and seasonal flowers to dry landscapes while offering nectar and pollen for a range of pollinators.
Ocotillo is a dramatic desert shrub in the genus Fouquieria, known for tall, wand-like stems and bright flower clusters that can be a valuable nectar stop when in bloom.
Organ pipe & relatives are columnar cacti in the genus Stenocereus, grown for their bold, upright stems and showy blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when flowers are open.
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.
Prickly pears are tough, sun-loving cacti (genus Opuntia) with bright blooms that can offer nectar and pollen when in flower. They’re best for warm, bright spots and gardeners who want a low-water plant with big character.
Prickly poppies (genus Argemone) are bold, spiny wildflowers with papery blooms that can add bright color and nectar to sunny, low-fuss garden spots.
Saguaros are iconic desert cacti that grow slowly, live a long time, and offer seasonal flowers that can support pollinators when grown in the right conditions.
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
Yucca is a group of bold, architectural plants with spiky leaves and tall flower stalks that can add structure to sunny gardens and containers. Many yuccas are tough once established and can be a low-fuss way to offer nectar to visiting pollinators when in bloom.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults can move pollen between blooms, and their presence can signal how healthy local plant communities are.
They move pollen between flowers while feeding, helping wild plants and many garden plants set seed and fruit.
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 feeding, helping many plants reproduce.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers as they feed, supporting seed and fruit set in many wild plants and some crops.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances, helping some plants set fruit and seed.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers over long distances and help many plants set fruit and seed.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
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.
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
