It’s seed-ordering season. As you browse this year’s catalog, plan to help butterflies, bees, and birds keep our food system running. Plan your garden to give a lift to pollinators, which are responsible for the reproduction of more than 87% of the world’s flowering plant species and contribute to roughly 35% of global crop production volume. But these essential workers are in serious trouble.
A 2025 assessment of North American pollinators, the most comprehensive study of its kind to date, found that at least one in five native North American pollinators face elevated extinction risk. Among native bee species, 34.7% are at risk, with climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide use identified as the primary threats. Globally, approximately 40% of invertebrate pollinators, including bees and butterflies, face extinction risk. The eastern monarch butterfly population has declined by roughly 80% over recent decades, while some bumble bee species have seen hive occupancy declines of 57% or more since 1998.
You can make a real difference in defense of pollinators. Research published in the Journal of Ecology found that residential gardens account for 85% of nectar sugar produced in urban areas, because gardens are both nectar-rich and cover roughly a quarter to a third of urban land. A 2024 follow-up study from the same research team found that gardens provide between 50% and 95% of total available nectar during months when farmland sources nearly disappear. Home gardens are a critical safety net for pollinators.
Here’s how to plant a pollinator garden based on where you live in the U.S.
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Start With Native Plants
Before choosing specific products, understand the single most important principle of pollinator gardening: plant native species.
Native plants have co-evolved with local pollinators over thousands of years. They provide not just nectar and pollen, but also larval host plants — the specific species that butterflies and moths need to lay their eggs and complete their life cycles. Non-native ornamentals may offer nectar, but they rarely support the full web of pollinator relationships.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder lets you enter your ZIP Code to discover the best native plants for your specific area, based on research by Dr. Doug Tallamy of the University of Delaware. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation also publishes region-specific pollinator plant lists and habitat guides. These free tools will give you more targeted recommendations than any single seed pack can deliver.
Know Your Hardiness Zone
Select plants most likely to thrive in your climate by checking the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The USDA released a significantly updated map in November 2023 — the first revision since 2012 — incorporating data from 13,412 weather stations and reflecting 30-year temperature averages through 2020.
Strikingly, about half the nation saw plant hardiness shifted by approximately half a zone warmer, meaning plants that wouldn’t have survived your winters a decade ago may now be viable choices. Enter your ZIP Code on the USDA site to confirm your current zone before shopping for plants.
Once you have selected the native plants to help pollinators in your region, follow these tips to turn your yard into a pollinator paradise.
- Plant flowers with a range of sizes, shapes, and colors.
- Avoid planting modern hybrids as they cannot produce nectar.
- Plant in drifts, which imitate natural areas by creating colonies of a single plant variety. This increases the visibility of the plants to the pollinators.
- Avoid landscape mulch and fabric.
- Leave dead wood for nesting.
Pollinators for Most of the U.S.
You can plant a summer pollinator garden in most of the U.S. — mainly in the Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest. The key is selecting native perennials suited to your hardiness zone.
Plants: The Summer Pollinator Pocket Garden from Nature Hills Nursery is a 12-pack of native perennials that work well in zones 3–7: Sweet Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia subtomentosa), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum), and Smooth Blue Aster (Aster laevis). You get three of each species, a smart selection because it provides spring-through-fall bloom succession and a mix of flower shapes that serve different pollinators.
Natural fertilizers: Use organic fertilizers like the Down to Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix, a natural, OMRI-listed fertilizer suited for flowering plants. Avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides entirely — they can harm the very pollinators you’re trying to attract.
Once you have your native plants, follow these tips to turn your yard into a pollinator paradise:
Plant flowers with a range of sizes, shapes, and colors to serve different pollinator species.
Prioritize species-type and heirloom varieties over heavily hybridized cultivars, as some modern hybrids produce reduced nectar. Plant in groups of the same species to mimic natural areas and increase pollinator visibility. Avoid heavy landscape mulch and fabric, which prevent ground-nesting bees from accessing the soil (roughly 70% of native bee species nest underground). Leave dead wood and hollow stems for cavity-nesting bees and other beneficial insects.
Deep South Wildflower Garden
If you live in warmer regions like the Southwest, Texas, or Southeast, plant a different collection of wildflowers suited to drier climates. Getting the timing right is one of the most important factors for starting a wildflower garden in hot climates. In areas with intense summer heat, sow your wildflower seeds in early spring so plants can establish before peak temperatures arrive.
Plants: Look for native wildflower blends formulated for your specific state or region. Bluebell, Foxglove, Comfrey, Clover, Greater Knapweed, and Hellebore are proven bee-attractors, though not all are native to the southern U.S. Prioritize blends that emphasize regional natives — species like Blanket Flower(Gaillardia), Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and native Salvias will perform well in southern heat and serve local pollinator communities. Use the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s plant database to find species native to your specific state.
Natural fertilizer: Numerous organic and natural fertilizers are available to help your wildflower garden thrive. Down to Earth Organic Bat Guano Fertilizer is available in both 2-pound and larger sizes — the smaller box works well for container and window gardens.
To set your garden up for success, choose a site with full sun and prepare the soil for seeding. Scatter seeds following the coverage rate on the packaging. Compress seeds into the soil using a seed roller or by walking on a board placed over the seeded area. Water gently and keep the soil moist — not soaking wet — until plants establish.
If you enjoy birdsong in your yard, consider planting a bird garden alongside your pollinator plantings. Bird-friendly gardens provide natural, year-round food sources that are healthier than feeders and less vulnerable to squirrel raids.
Pacific Coast Bee Garden
Bees are essential to Pacific Coast ecosystems. Native bees pollinate native plants that introduced honeybees often can’t serve as effectively. A bee-friendly garden can support local bee populations, and the West Coast’s long growing season makes year-round bloom achievable.
This region faces a particularly urgent bee population decline. Research found that the western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), once common across western North America, has experienced a 57% declinein hive occupancy from 1998 to 2020, driven by rising temperatures, drought, and neonicotinoid pesticide exposure. A 2024 study in PLOS ONE found declining bee and butterfly species richness across western and southern North America, linked to climate change and land use.
Plants: Select native flowers that bloom across multiple seasons — not just spring or summer. California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), native Lupines, Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus), California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum), and Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa) are excellent choices. Browse the Xerces Society’s Pacific Coast pollinator plant lists for comprehensive regional recommendations.
Natural fertilizers: You can easily ditch chemical-based fertilizers. Use Down to Earth Organic Bat Guano Fertilizer to supplement the garden bed when preparing soil for your flower seeds. For a window garden or container planting, the 2-pound box is sufficient.
Avoid Neonicotinoids: Know the Rules in Your State
Do not purchase plants treated with neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics). While they may accelerate plant growth, neonicotinoids are systemically absorbed into plant tissues, including pollen and nectar, and are highly toxic to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. In 2022, the EPA concluded that neonicotinoids likely adversely affect the majority of federally listed endangered species.
The policy landscape has also shifted significantly since 2021. As of January 2025, California banned retail sales of neonicotinoid pesticides in nurseries and garden centers. Twelve states have now enacted various restrictions on neonicotinoid use: Nevada, New Jersey, and Maine have banned all outdoor non-agricultural uses; Colorado has prohibited homeowner use; New York banned neonic-treated seeds for corn, soybean, and wheat; and Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have imposed additional residential restrictions. The EU has maintained a comprehensive outdoor ban since 2018.
When shopping for plants, ask your nursery whether their stock has been treated with neonicotinoids. Look for labels indicating neonic-free plants, and buy from nurseries that have committed to eliminating these pesticides. Go for natural pest management alternatives that create a safe, inviting environment for pollinators.
Five More Ways To Help Pollinators Thrive
Plan for year-round bloom. Pollinators need food from early spring through late fall. Most gardens produce abundant nectar in midsummer but leave pollinators hungry in March, April, October, and November. Plant early-blooming species like Crocus, native Willows, and Columbine alongside late-season bloomers like Asters, Goldenrod, and native Sedums to close the gaps.
Provide water. Pollinators need water just like any other animal. A shallow dish or saucer filled with pebbles and fresh water gives bees and butterflies a safe place to drink without drowning. Change the water regularly to prevent mosquito breeding.
Support ground-nesting bees. Roughly 70% of native bee species nest in the ground, not in hives. Leave patches of bare, undisturbed soil in sunny areas of your garden. Reduce tilling and avoid covering every inch with heavy mulch or landscape fabric.
Reduce mowing. Letting parts of your lawn grow longer allows clover, dandelions, and other flowering plants to bloom. These “weeds” are some of the most important early-season food sources for pollinators. Even mowing less frequently, such as every two to three weeks instead of weekly, can significantly increase the nectar available in your yard.
Think beyond your garden. Pollinator habitat works best as a connected network. Talk to neighbors about planting native species, advocate for pollinator-friendly practices in public parks and road verges and support local native plant societies. The National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program can help you formalize your garden’s contribution.
Enjoy Your Garden, It Helps Nature Rebound
The continuing decline of pollinator populations is a major environmental threat with serious consequences for food security. But the scale of the crisis also means that individual action genuinely matters, and research have shown that the collective impact of millions of home gardens can sustain pollinator populations across entire landscapes.
By planting native species, avoiding pesticides, and providing the habitat features pollinators need, you’re doing more than beautifying your yard. You’re building a node in a living network that butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinators depend on for survival.
Asters, Goldenrod, and native Sedums to close the gaps.
Provide water. Pollinators need water just like any other animal. A shallow dish or saucer filled with pebbles and fresh water gives bees and butterflies a safe place to drink without drowning. Change the water regularly to prevent mosquito breeding.
Support ground-nesting bees. Roughly 70% of native bee species nest in the ground, not in hives. Leave patches of bare, undisturbed soil in sunny areas of your garden. Reduce tilling and avoid covering every inch with heavy mulch or landscape fabric.
Reduce mowing. Letting parts of your lawn grow longer allows clover, dandelions, and other flowering plants to bloom. These “weeds” are some of the most important early-season food sources for pollinators. Even mowing less frequently — every two to three weeks instead of weekly — can significantly increase the nectar available in your yard.
Think beyond your garden. Pollinator habitat works best as a connected network. Talk to neighbors about planting native species, advocate for pollinator-friendly practices in public parks and road verges, and support local native plant societies. The National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program can help you formalize your garden’s contribution.
Enjoy Your Garden
The continuing decline of pollinator populations is a major environmental threat with serious consequences for food security. Pollinators contribute more than $15 billion annually to North American agriculture alone. But the scale of the crisis also means that individual action genuinely matters — researchers have shown that the collective impact of millions of home gardens can sustain pollinator populations across entire landscapes.
By planting native species, avoiding pesticides, and providing the habitat features pollinators need, you’re doing more than beautifying your yard. You’re building a node in a living network that butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinators depend on for survival.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on April 5, 2021, and was substantially updated in February 2026.