Native Plants for Pollinators

Why Native Plants Are Essential for Pollinators

Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of roughly 75 percent of all flowering plants and about 35 percent of global food crops. Unfortunately, pollinator populations have declined sharply in recent decades due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Native plants are the foundation of pollinator conservation because they have co-evolved with local insect species over thousands of years. Unlike ornamental cultivars, true native species produce the specific pollen grain sizes, nectar concentrations, and bloom timing that local pollinators depend on. For example, many native bees have tongue lengths perfectly matched to the flower shapes of regional wildflowers. When you plant natives, you create a reliable food web that supports entire pollinator communities rather than just a handful of generalist species.

Best Native Plants for Bees

North America is home to over 4,000 species of native bees, and each region has its own suite of preferred plants. Providing a continuous bloom sequence from early spring through late fall is one of the most important strategies for supporting bee populations. Early-season bloomers give emerging queens the energy they need to establish new colonies, while late-season flowers help bees build fat reserves before winter.

• •Lupinus perennis (Wild Lupine) - critical host plant for the Karner blue butterfly and a rich pollen source for bumble bees
• •Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) - a summer-blooming mint family member visited by long-tongued bumble bees, digger bees, and leaf-cutter bees
• •Solidago species (Goldenrods) - late-season bloomers that provide pollen and nectar when few other flowers remain, supporting over 100 bee species
• •Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue) - tubular white flowers favored by mason bees and small carpenter bees in eastern woodlands
• •Ceanothus species (California Lilac) - western shrubs that produce masses of tiny flowers attracting dozens of native bee species

Best Native Plants for Butterflies and Moths

Butterflies and moths need two types of plants: nectar sources for adult feeding and host plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed. Many gardeners focus only on nectar flowers, but host plants are equally important for sustaining butterfly populations across generations. Doug Tallamy's research has shown that native oaks alone support over 500 species of caterpillars, making them one of the most valuable trees for lepidopteran diversity. Planting a mix of host and nectar plants ensures that your garden supports the full butterfly life cycle.

• •Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) - the iconic monarch host plant that also serves as a nectar source for swallowtails and fritillaries
• •Aster species (Native Asters) - fall-blooming composites that fuel monarch migration and feed painted ladies, sulphurs, and skippers
• •Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) - a host plant for black swallowtail caterpillars and an early nectar source
• •Liatris spicata (Blazing Star) - tall purple spikes that attract monarchs, swallowtails, and a wide array of moth species
• •Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry) - a host tree for tiger swallowtails, red-spotted purples, and over 400 moth species

Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden Layout

Effective pollinator gardens go beyond simply choosing the right species. Plant in clusters of at least three to five individuals of each species so that pollinators can forage efficiently without expending excess energy traveling between isolated plants. Include plants of varying heights to create structural diversity: ground-level creepers like Phlox subulata, mid-height perennials like Echinacea purpurea, and tall background plants like Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed). Leave some areas of bare soil for ground-nesting bees, which make up roughly 70 percent of native bee species. Avoid heavy mulching in these areas. Provide a shallow water source with landing stones, and resist the urge to clean up all plant debris in fall, as many beneficial insects overwinter in hollow stems and leaf litter.

Regional Pollinator Plant Recommendations

The best pollinator plants vary by region. In the Southeast, plant Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan), Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage), and Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue Mistflower). In the Midwest and Great Plains, focus on prairie species such as Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower), Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover), and Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian Sunflower). Pacific Coast gardeners should consider Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat), Epilobium canum (California Fuchsia), and Phacelia tanacetifolia (Lacy Phacelia). In the Northeast, reliable choices include Eutrochium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed), Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster), and Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead). No matter where you garden, aim for at least three species blooming in each season to provide continuous forage.