Pollinator gardens are a grouping of plants that are native to the Northeast U.S. These plants are highly attractive food sources for adult pollinators, like bees and butterflies. The plants also support caterpillars of butterflies and moths; serve as nesting material or sites for certain bees; provide pollen for bees with specialized pollen needs; and feed beneficial predators and parasitoids that contribute to pest control. Examples of predators are ladybird beetles (“ladybugs”), lacewings and spiders. Parasitoids are parasites that kill their hosts by their feeding activities. Examples of parasitoids of landscape pests are parasitic wasps and tachinid fly.

Native plants, which are adapted to local soils and climates, are usually the best sources of food and shelter for native pollinators. Incorporating native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, vines, grasses and more into any landscape helps a diversity of wildlife and also provides benefits to soil, water and air quality. Additionally, most native plants can flourish in poor soils and require minimal irrigation.