How to attract native pollinators to your yard

Plant native, plant sequentially

Native plants and native pollinators evolved together. A single native shrub can support several times more pollinator species than a comparably sized ornamental. Prioritize keystone genera for your region — oaks, willows, cherries, asters, goldenrods, milkweeds.

Sequence bloom times so something is flowering from earliest spring through frost. The bookends of the season are usually the most limiting for solitary bees.

Leave bare ground and stems

About 70% of native bees nest in the ground. They need patches of bare, undisturbed soil — mulch-free, weed-fabric-free. Leaving a corner of the yard uncovered is one of the highest-value actions for solitary bees.

Another 30% nest in hollow stems. Cutting perennials back in fall is a habitat loss. Leave stems standing over winter and cut them to 12–18 inches in spring so the next generation can use them.

Cut the pesticides

Neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and broad-spectrum foliar sprays are lethal to the pollinators you want to attract. Even 'organic' options like pyrethrin are non-selective. Tolerate more insect damage on ornamentals and rely on structure and diversity to keep pest pressure down.

Add water thoughtfully

A shallow dish with pebbles or a wet sand patch gives bees and butterflies a safe drinking surface. Deep water without perches drowns them. Refresh weekly to prevent mosquito breeding.

Measure what shows up

Casual observation misses most of what actually visits your flowers. Moths dominate the pollinator community at night. Cryptic bee species are hard to tell apart on the wing. Pollinator eDNA from flower swabs is the practical way to see the full guild working your yard.

Frequently asked questions