Gardening with Purpose: How to Plant a Pollinator Garden

Many residential yards, gardens and even apartment balconies can feel quite disconnected from the natural world. A patch of grass, a few shrubs or a flower that bravely blooms every spring. Your green space, however, can be so much more. What if your yard could come to life?  

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Tom Koerner/USFWS

Planting a pollinator garden can transform your garden or outdoor space into a vibrant and buzzing purpose-driven ecosystem. These special gardens provide a way to bring nature to your doorstep by attracting birds, bees, butterflies and other vital pollinators. They are a simple and effective way of supporting the environment at home, while reconnecting you with the rhythm of wildlife.

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators are animals who carry pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing both the wild and cultivated plants to produce seeds, fruits and vegetables. These creatures are essential to maintaining the health of ecosystems worldwide. Without pollinators, many food crops and wild plants would not be able to survive. Yet, these vital pollinator species are in decline.  

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Scott Bredbenner

Bees, bats and butterflies alike are facing serious threats from habitat loss, disease, pesticides and climate change. Several butterflies including the Quino checkerspot, Saint Francis' satyr and Karner blue, and the native Rusty Patch and Franklin’s bumble bees are all listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Even the beloved Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was proposed for listing in December 2024. The good news? You can help! Planting a pollinator garden with native plants is a simple, yet powerful, way to help these incredible creatures thrive.

A quick and fun place to start is with this short video on how to plant a pollinator garden, with Defenders of Wildlife’s California Director, Pamela Flick:

What plants should I choose?  

Choosing plants for your pollinator garden is key. Specifically, it is very important to plant native plants. Do your research and select plants that will best support the critters in your area.  

Here are three great, native choices to get you started:  

1. Lemon Queen Sunflowers are well-known for attracting bees and other pollinators. They are an abundant food source as each flower offers a rich supply of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and even birds. Sunflowers thrive when receiving five to eight hours of sunlight daily, so be sure to choose a location with the most sun exposure. Due to their long slender stems, sunflowers are also best planted in spots sheltered from wind.  

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   Deckerme (CC BY 2.0)

2. Milkweed is the host plant, and literally essential, for monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed and female monarchs will only lay eggs on this plant, making the butterflies’ future entirely dependent on milkweed. This special relationship is also paramount during a monarch’s lifecycle, as the toxins in the milkweed are released upon consumption, keeping monarch eggs and caterpillars safe from predators. By planting milkweed, you are directly supporting the survival of the Monarch butterfly! It is critical to only plant local milkweed seeds in your gardens. Non-native, tropical varieties often foster a problematic parasite. Milkweed needs cold, winter months to properly germinate, therefore it’s best planted during the fall.

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   Mike Budd/USFWS

3. Salvias, often referred to as “bee heaven,” are part of the sage family. Bees love salvias due to their fragrant smell and nectar rich buds. The design of a salvia includes a bottom lip, making it a perfect ‘landing pad’ for bees. Plant salvias in well-drained soil, water thoroughly and give them room from other plants to breathe. Salvias will fill your yard with a wonderful aroma!

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Russ (CC BY 2.0)

With so many native plants to choose from, pollinators will be buzzing around your garden or balcony from early spring through fall. A proper mix of colors, shapes and height of flowers will bring in a variety of these special animals and will keep your garden lively!

Tips and tricks to get your garden off the ground.  

• Staggering bloom times can help ensure there is always something flowering for you and the local pollinators to enjoy.  
• Skip the pesticides! These harsh chemicals hurt the creatures your pollinator garden is working to protect. Luckily, if you plant a mix of native flowers and greens, they will likely have evolved to survive local pests and, therefore, do not need chemical pesticides.
• Add variety into your garden with logs, bare soil patches and rocks, mimicking a microhabitat. Even small spaces that are planted with intention can make a big difference in your local environment.

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David Nelson / Alamy Stock Photo

Your garden does not just have to be for decoration. It can play an active role in supporting the environment around you. Pollinator gardens support biodiversity, create vital habitats and help wildlife thrive. They are an opportunity for you to participate in healing the local ecosystems on which our wild neighbors depend. Whether it’s a corner of your yard or a few pots on your apartment balcony, everyone has the power to support pollinators.