Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden: A Guide to Attracting Bees, Butterflies, and More

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even certain beetles play a vital role in our ecosystems. Without them, many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers we love wouldn’t exist. The good news? You can support these essential creatures right in your own backyard by creating a pollinator-friendly garden. 

Pollinators are responsible for fertilizing over 75% of flowering plants and about 35% of the world’s food crops. But due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, their populations are declining. By planting a garden that welcomes them, you’re helping restore balance—and adding beauty to your landscape.  

Native plants are adapted to your local climate and soil, and they provide the best food sources for native pollinators. Some great examples include purple coneflowers, milkweed (which is essential for monarch butterflies), bee balm, and black eyed Susans. You can check with your local extension office or native plant society for a list of plants native to your region. Keep in mind pollinators need food from early spring through late fall. Choose a variety of plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide a steady food source. Examples of plants the provide blooms in early spring include crocus, wild lupine, and serviceberry. Summer blooms feature lavender, coreopsis, and zinnias. Goldenrod, asters, and sedum bloom in the fall.  

Creating a welcoming and sustainable environment for pollinators is more than just choosing specific plants. Pollinators need places to rest, nest, and overwinter. Leave some bare patches of soil for ground-nesting bees. Add a bee hotel or butterfly house. Avoid over-mulching, which can block access to nesting sites. It is also helpful to skip the pesticides. Many pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, are harmful to pollinators. Instead use natural pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. Pollinators need water, too! A shallow dish with pebbles or a birdbath with a few stones for perching can make a big difference. Healthy soil means healthy plants which makes for happy pollinators. Compost, mulch naturally, and avoid synthetic fertilizers when possible. 

Creating a pollinator-friendly garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a homeowner or landscaper. Not only will you enjoy a vibrant, buzzing garden full of life, but you’ll also be making a real difference for the environment.