Planting native species makes attracting pollinators and wildlife to your garden easier. These plants provide essential nectar, food, and shelter for bees, butterflies, birds, and other beneficial creatures. Unlike non-native plants, they have evolved alongside local wildlife, making them perfectly suited to provide nourishment and habitat. Many also improve soil health and resist pests naturally, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Here are the top choices to enhance biodiversity in your yard.
1. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed for survival, as it is the only host plant for their caterpillars. Its bright flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Milkweed also plays a critical role in monarch migration, offering a stopping point for these incredible travelers. With several species, including common and swamp milkweed, it’s easy to find one that fits your landscape. By planting milkweed, you contribute directly to monarch butterfly conservation efforts.
2. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
This vibrant, daisy-like flower is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its long-lasting blooms provide nectar well into late summer, making it a critical food source. In the fall, coneflower seed heads are an important food source for finches and other songbirds. It thrives in a variety of soil conditions and is highly drought-tolerant. Its medicinal properties have been used for centuries in herbal remedies.
3. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
A bright, cheerful wildflower, the black-eyed susan is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its golden-yellow petals with a dark center create a striking contrast that brightens any garden. As an easy-to-grow perennial, it thrives in poor soil and dry conditions, making it a low-maintenance option. In the fall, its seed heads provide a valuable food source for goldfinches and other small birds.
4. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Despite its mistaken reputation for causing allergies, goldenrod is a crucial late-season nectar source for bees and butterflies. It blooms in late summer and fall when many other flowers have faded, providing food for migrating pollinators. Goldenrod is a host plant for several butterfly and moth species, supporting the full lifecycle of these insects. It grows in various conditions, from dry fields to moist meadows, making it a versatile choice.
5. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Also known as bee balm, this fragrant plant is highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its lavender-pink flowers bloom in mid-to-late summer, offering nectar when many other flowers have finished. Wild bergamot leaves contain essential oils that deter pests and are used in herbal teas. This plant is highly resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a great choice for natural landscapes. It thrives in sunny locations and well-drained soil.
6. Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Asters are late-season bloomers, providing nectar when many other flowers have faded. They support migrating butterflies like monarchs and numerous bee species. Their daisy-like flowers come in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, adding vibrant color to fall gardens. Asters also serve as host plants for several butterfly larvae, further supporting their populations. They thrive in both sun and partial shade, making them a versatile addition to any native garden.
7. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
This tall, pink-flowered perennial is beloved by bees and butterflies, particularly swallowtails and monarchs. It thrives in moist soil and can be found along streams, ponds, and wet meadows. Joe-Pye weed’s height makes it a striking backdrop in native plant gardens and attracts beneficial insects. Its vanilla-scented blooms provide nectar from mid to late summer. In addition, its strong stems offer shelter for overwintering insects and birds.
8. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
The blazing star attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators with its striking purple spikes. The flowers bloom sequentially from top to bottom, providing a continuous nectar source for weeks. This hardy plant thrives in prairies, meadows, and gardens, tolerating drought and poor soil. Its grass-like foliage offers a habitat for small insects and shelter for overwintering pollinators.
9. Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
Wild lupine is an essential host plant for endangered butterflies like the Karner blue. It thrives in sandy soils and open woodlands, improving soil health by fixing nitrogen. Its vibrant blue and purple flower spikes attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout spring and early summer. Because it prefers well-drained conditions, it’s an excellent choice for naturalized areas and butterfly habitats
10. Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Hummingbirds love columbine's red and yellow blooms, which thrive in partial shade and woodland settings. Its unique, bell-shaped flowers also attract bees and butterflies, offering a rich source of nectar. Columbine is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, providing an early food source for emerging pollinators. It reseeds itself easily, creating a natural, low-maintenance display year after year.
11. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
This moisture-loving perennial produces striking red flowers that are a magnet for hummingbirds. Blooming from mid-to-late summer, it provides nectar when other sources are dwindling. Cardinal flower thrives in wet conditions such as stream banks, rain gardens, and wetlands. The vibrant red blooms add a bold pop of color while supporting various pollinators. Due to its moisture preference, it is ideal for areas with high humidity or consistently damp soil.
12. New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
A compact shrub that supports native bees and serves as a larval host plant for several butterfly species. Its small white flowers bloom in summer, attracting various pollinators, including honeybees and native solitary bees. The leaves were historically used as a tea substitute during the American Revolution, adding historical significance to this hardy plant. It thrives in dry, well-drained soils and is an excellent drought-resistant choice. Birds also enjoy its seeds, making it a great addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
13. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
This small, ornamental tree provides nectar-rich flowers in early spring, supporting bees and butterflies. As the season progresses, it produces sweet, edible berries that are a favorite of songbirds and mammals. Serviceberry is a great choice for home landscapes due to its multi-season interest, featuring delicate blooms, lush green foliage, and vibrant fall colors. It thrives in various soil conditions and requires little maintenance.
14. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Wild strawberry is a low-growing ground cover that provides early-season nectar for pollinators and later produces small, flavorful berries. The flowers attract native bees, while birds and small mammals enjoy the nutritious fruit. Unlike cultivated strawberries, this hardy native spreads naturally, creating dense mats that help prevent soil erosion. It thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas with well-drained soil. Wild strawberry is an excellent addition to meadows, forest edges, and pollinator gardens.
15. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
The spicebush is a fragrant shrub that serves as a host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. Its yellow spring flowers provide nectar for pollinators, while the red berries in the fall are an important food source for birds. When crushed, the leaves emit a pleasant, spicy aroma, adding sensory interest to gardens. Spicebush thrives in moist, shaded areas and is a great understory plant
16. American Basswood (Tilia americana)
A highly valuable tree for honeybees, American basswood produces fragrant, nectar-rich flowers that result in premium-quality honey. Blooming in early summer, it attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beetles. This shade tree is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and dense canopy, making it a great choice for urban and suburban settings. It provides habitat and food for many bird species.
17. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
Pawpaw trees are essential for the zebra swallowtail butterfly, which relies on their leaves as a larval host plant. Their unique maroon flowers in spring attract flies and beetles, contributing to local biodiversity. The tree produces large, banana-like fruits enjoyed by wildlife and humans. Pawpaw thrives in rich, moist soil and shaded conditions, making it suitable for woodland gardens. Its unusual appearance and ecological significance make it a standout native plant.
18. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
This wetland shrub is a fantastic resource for pollinators, producing globe-shaped clusters of white, nectar-rich flowers. Buttonbush attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds while also providing shelter for waterfowl and other birds. Its seeds are an important food source for ducks and other wildlife. It thrives in wet soils along ponds, streams, and rain gardens, making it a perfect choice for water conservation landscapes.
19. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild ginger is a shade-loving ground cover that provides a crucial habitat for native insects and pollinators. Its unique, hidden flowers attract small pollinators such as beetles, while its dense foliage helps prevent soil erosion. The plant emits a mild ginger scent and was historically used as a culinary and medicinal herb. It thrives in rich, moist soils, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
20. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Clusters of tiny white flowers make elderberry a top choice for pollinators in early summer. The plant later produces dark purple berries that provide food for birds, mammals, and humans. Elderberry thrives in moist soils and grows quickly, making it an excellent hedge or windbreak. Its berries are commonly used for jams, syrups, and medicinal remedies, adding practical value to its ecological benefits.
21. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
This vigorous native vine provides nectar for pollinators and later produces small berries that feed birds. It is often mistaken for poison ivy, but its five-leaf pattern distinguishes it. Virginia creeper is a valuable climbing plant, offering shelter for insects and birds while beautifying fences, trellises, and walls. In the fall, its foliage turns a striking red, adding seasonal interest to gardens. It thrives in various soil conditions and is an excellent erosion-control plant.
Support Local Ecosystems with Native Plants
Incorporating these native plants into your landscape beautifies your garden and supports essential pollinators and wildlife. By planting native species, you create a sustainable habitat that benefits the entire ecosystem. These plants require less maintenance, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and promote biodiversity. Supporting local wildlife helps maintain a balanced and thriving environment, ensuring future generations can enjoy nature’s beauty. Start planting today to make a difference for pollinators and your local ecosystem.