Want to help bees, birds, butterflies, and other backyard visitors thrive? One of the most effective ways is by planting native species in your yard. These plants have adapted over time with local wildlife, offering the perfect mix of food, shelter, and nesting sites that many non-native plants simply can't provide. Whether you're surrounded by desert, forest, mountains, or coastline, there's a native plant that fits right into your space. Choosing the right ones for your region can make a real difference in supporting wildlife.
1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Central and Eastern
This prairie plant is a pollinator magnet, drawing in bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Its large, pink-purple flowers provide an easy landing pad and abundant nectar. In the fall, the seed heads become a valuable food source for goldfinches and other birds. Native to the Central and Eastern regions of the U.S., it grows well in sunny spots with well-drained soil. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant and perfect for low-maintenance gardens. It also works beautifully as a cut flower indoors.
2. Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Northeast
This native beauty features red and yellow flowers that bloom in early spring, making it a striking addition to any garden. Hummingbirds are especially drawn to its tubular blooms, while native bees also stop by for nectar. It grows well in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, making it ideal for woodland settings. The plant also hosts certain moth larvae, contributing to the insect food web. It adds a pop of color to shaded borders and understory plantings. Deer usually avoids it, which helps keep maintenance simple.
3. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – West Coast
California’s state flower brightens up the landscape with vivid orange blooms. These cheerful flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. After flowering, finches and other small birds enjoy the seeds. This annual thrives in poor, sandy soils and full sun, making it perfect for drought-prone gardens. It reseeds easily, allowing it to spread naturally without much effort. It is a great choice for wildflower patches and low-water landscapes.
4. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Eastern U.S.
This plant is one of the best native hosts for monarch butterflies. Its bright orange flowers provide nectar for adults, and its leaves are food for caterpillars. Bees and other pollinators also love visiting the blooms. It thrives in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Unlike other milkweeds, it lacks sticky sap, making growing it less messy. It’s drought-tolerant, long-blooming, and ideal for meadows or roadside plantings.
5. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) – North-Central Texas to Northern Mexico
Texas Sage is a hardy shrub with silvery foliage and purple flowers. It blooms after rainfall, drawing in bees and butterflies. Birds often nest in their dense branches for protection. This plant thrives in full sun and dry, rocky soil. Once established, it needs very little water and is perfect for xeriscaping. Native to Texas and northern Mexico, it's a standout in desert gardens.
6. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Midwest
This golden-flowered plant brightens up gardens all summer. Butterflies, bees, and beetles feed on its nectar-rich blooms. Its seed heads provide food for finches and other small birds in fall. It grows in the sun and tolerates poor soils and drought. Often grown as a biennial or short-lived perennial, it reseeds easily. It’s a popular, low-maintenance choice for wildflower beds.
7. Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – Northern Plains
Redosier Dogwood is known for its striking red stems and seasonal interest. Its white flower clusters attract pollinators, while fall berries feed birds and small mammals. Dense growth offers cover and nesting for birds. The shrub thrives in moist areas like wetlands and streambanks. Due to its spreading roots, it is useful for erosion control. It's perfect for restoration projects and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Northern
Yarrow is a tough plant with flat white or pale pink blooms that attract many insects. Butterflies, bees, and beetles flock to its flowers for nectar throughout the growing season. Birds use its fern-like leaves as nesting material and sometimes for cover. It thrives in sunny, dry conditions and spreads easily across open landscapes. Thanks to its drought resistance and long bloom time, it's a favorite in native and pollinator gardens. Yarrow is an excellent option for dry slopes, meadows, or wildflower borders.
9. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) – South-Central
Blazing Star produces tall, spiky purple flowers that butterflies and bees love. Monarch butterflies rely on it as a nectar source during migration. Once the blooms fade, goldfinches and other birds feed on the seed heads. It prefers sunny spots with moist, well-drained soil but can handle some dryness. This native perennial adds vertical interest and bold texture to gardens. It’s a reliable, showy, low-maintenance addition to any pollinator-friendly landscape.
10. Coastal Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium dubium) – Atlantic Coastal Plain
This towering native is perfect for adding height and late-season nectar to gardens. Its large pink flower heads draw in butterflies, bees, and beneficial wasps in late summer. Birds perch on the strong stems and feed on the seeds as they mature. It thrives in moist soils and does well in partial to full sun. Native to marshes and wetland edges, it’s excellent for rain gardens and naturalized low spots. Coastal Joe-Pye Weed also resists deer and spreads quickly.
11. Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) – Pacific Northwest and Northern California
Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub that supports wildlife year-round. Its bright yellow flowers bloom in early spring and provide nectar for native bees. In summer, clusters of blue berries serve as food for birds and small mammals. The spiny leaves create dense cover and protection for nesting wildlife. It prefers shady or partly shaded areas with dry or moderately moist soil. A great option for woodland edges, hedges, or understory plantings.
12. Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) – Desert Southwest
This desert wildflower lights up gardens with bright yellow blooms that last through much of the year. It supports desert-adapted bees and butterflies with consistent nectar. Birds feed on the seeds after flowering is complete. The silvery foliage is drought-tolerant and adds a soft texture to dry landscapes. It thrives in full sun and sandy or rocky soil with excellent drainage. It is a great addition to xeriscapes, pollinator gardens, or natural desert settings.
13. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) – Southeast
This shrub is known for its eye-catching clusters of bright purple berries in fall. The berries are a major food source for birds like mockingbirds, robins, and cardinals. Its pink flowers bloom in summer and attract native bees and butterflies. It grows well in part sun to shade and adapts to various soil types. Deer usually avoids it, making it a low-maintenance landscape choice. It’s ideal for woodland edges, natural hedges, or mixed borders.
14. Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) – Central and Eastern NA
Prairie Dropseed is a fine-textured ornamental grass with graceful, arching leaves. Its seeds are a food source for birds like sparrows and juncos. The dense clumps provide cover for small mammals and insects year-round. It grows best in full sun with well-drained soil and turns golden in the fall. The low-maintenance plant blends well in prairie gardens, borders, or mass plantings. It also adds movement and elegance to native landscapes.
15. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – North, South, and Central America
The Cardinal Flower produces vivid red blooms that are especially attractive to hummingbirds. Bees and butterflies also visit for nectar during its summer flowering season. It thrives in wet soils and partly shaded areas like streambanks or rain gardens. Although short-lived, it readily self-seeds and can establish lasting colonies. The bright red color stands out against green foliage and other native plants. It is a must-have for moist, wildlife-friendly plantings.
16. Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla patens) – Northern U.S.
The Pasque Flower is one of the earliest blooming wildflowers, sometimes pushing through melting snow. Its fuzzy stems and leaves help protect it from frost and grazing animals. Early pollinators rely on its blossoms when few other flowers are available. It grows in full sun and well-drained, often sandy or gravelly soil. Native to open woodlands and prairies, it's perfect for dry slopes or rock gardens. Pasque Flower brings beauty and biodiversity to early spring landscapes.
17. Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) – Midwest, Eastern, and Southern U.S.
The Partridge Pea is a quick-growing annual that brightens fields with cheerful yellow flowers. It’s a valuable nectar source for bees and is a host plant for the Cloudless Sulphur butterfly. Its seeds are also eaten by quail, turkeys, and other ground-feeding birds. The plant grows in poor, sandy, or disturbed soils and helps improve soil health through nitrogen fixation. It’s often included in prairie mixes and habitat restoration projects. Easy to grow, it’s ideal for open, sunny spaces.
18. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) – Eastern Forests
Spicebush is a critical host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly, supporting its entire life cycle. Its fragrant yellow flowers bloom early in spring, offering nectar for native bees just emerging from dormancy. In the fall, bright red berries are an important food source for birds like thrushes and catbirds. It grows best in moist, shady areas and is commonly found along woodland edges and streams. The leaves have a spicy, citrusy scent and are typically avoided by deer. This versatile shrub adds habitat value, seasonal interest, and resilience to native forest gardens.
19. Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) – Pacific Northwest and Coastal Alaska
This plant's red and yellow flowers bloom in spring and attract hummingbirds seeking nectar. Bees and butterflies also benefit from its abundant floral resources. It thrives in moist, partly shaded areas, especially in mountainous terrain. Found naturally along forest edges and trails, it adds vibrant color and movement to high-elevation gardens. In addition to feeding pollinators, it supports native moth species as a larval host. Western Columbine is a great fit for shady wildflower beds or woodland borders.
20. Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) – Central and Eastern Plains
This golden daisy-like flower supports a range of pollinators across the Southern Plains. Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies visit its blooms for nectar throughout the summer. Birds enjoy the seeds once the flowers have faded, especially in late summer. Coreopsis thrives in dry, poor soils and full sun, making it an excellent choice for tough spots. It’s a fast-growing plant that spreads readily, often reseeding itself year after year. This low-maintenance bloomer is perfect for meadows, borders, and roadside plantings.
21. Fuchsia-Flowered Gooseberry (Ribes speciosum) – California
This California native blooms early with vivid red, tubular flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds. Birds also enjoy its small, tart berries that appear later in the season. Its thorny stems offer excellent protection for nesting birds, creating a safe shelter in dense thickets. The plant thrives in part shade and prefers dry, well-drained soils. It’s commonly found in coastal scrub and chaparral habitats, adapting well to native garden settings. Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry is perfect for supporting wildlife in drought-prone or low-maintenance landscapes.
22. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) – Eastern and Central U.S.
This tall grass is a valuable food source and shelter for birds and insects. Its seeds are especially popular with finches, sparrows, and other seed-eating birds. The plant adapts well to various soil types and can handle both dry and wet conditions. In autumn, its golden foliage adds striking color and movement to the landscape. Due to its deep roots, Switchgrass is frequently used in prairie restorations and erosion control projects. It’s a versatile and resilient plant that supports biodiversity in many types of gardens.
23. Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) – South-Central and Southwest U.S.
This bold wildflower displays red petals with yellow tips that brighten any dry landscape. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other nectar-loving insects throughout its extended blooming season. Birds, including finches, enjoy feeding on the seeds once the flowers have faded. Firewheel thrives in sandy, dry soil and prefers full sun. The plant is low-maintenance and reseeds itself easily, making it a dependable addition year after year. It adds vibrant color and pollinator value to open fields, meadows, and roadside gardens.
24. White Sage (Salvia apiana) – Southern California
This aromatic plant is native to Southern California and Baja, thriving in arid regions. Its tall flower spikes bloom in spring and summer, drawing in hummingbirds and native bees. Birds use its stiff, woody stems to build nests and find shelter. The silvery-green leaves are fragrant, drought-tolerant, and unappealing to deer. It prefers full sun and dry, rocky soils, making it ideal for desert or Mediterranean-style gardens. This species is culturally significant and works well in spiritual or habitat-focused landscaping.
25. Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) – Eastern NA
This shrub offers spring blooms for bees and summer berries for birds. Mammals also enjoy the nutritious fruit, making it a favorite for wildlife and people. It thrives in acidic, moist soils with partial sun and does well in woodland or boggy conditions. The plant’s foliage adds seasonal beauty by turning brilliant red in autumn. Native to forested wetlands in the Northeast, it provides year-round value to wildlife. It’s an excellent addition to both edible landscapes and wildlife-friendly gardens.
Turn Your Yard into a Wildlife Wonder
Your yard can become a safe haven for wildlife no matter where you live. Planting native species gives birds, bees, butterflies, and other creatures exactly what they need to survive. These plants offer food, shelter, and nesting sites that support local ecosystems year-round. Native plants also thrive with less water and care, making your garden both beautiful and sustainable. Whether you’re starting with one pot or an entire backyard, every plant helps rebuild natural habitats. Together, our gardens can become powerful tools for conservation and biodiversity.
Create a habitat birds will love—right in your own backyard: