How to Plant a Native Pollinator Garden with Your Family

Planting a garden with native plants for pollinators is a fantastic family gardening project for beginners. Not only will you enjoy a colorful yard buzzing with life, but you’ll also support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators right at home (did you know that bats, beetles, birds, flies, moths, and even the wind also fall under the umbrella “pollinators”?). Insects like bees and butterflies are essential (they help pollinate 1 out of 3 bites of food we eat!), yet many are in decline due to habitat loss and pesticides. 

The good news is that even a small pollinator garden can make a difference. This guide will give you easy, beginner-friendly tips on pollinator garden ideas, which plants to choose (with examples from Denver to New York), and how to get your family involved in this fun, meaningful project.

Why Native Plants for Pollinators?

• What are native plants? Native plants are simply those that occur naturally in your region and evolved there over time. Unlike exotic ornamentals, native species are adapted to the local climate, soil, and wildlife. This makes them powerhouses for the local ecosystem. Because native flowers and pollinators evolved together, many species prefer or even require native plants for food and breeding. (For example, monarch butterflies need milkweed plants as a host for their eggs and caterpillars.) In contrast, non-native plants might not provide the right access, pollen, or breeding habitat, and some invasive ones can even harm local ecosystems.
• Why do native plants matter? Simply put, native plants offer pollinators the buffet and shelter they need. They provide nectar and pollen that native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, and other pollinating species thrive on. Many native blooms are loaded with the nutrients pollinators seek. They also often serve as host plants where insects like butterflies can lay eggs (like milkweed for monarchs). By planting natives, you rebuild a little piece of lost habitat in your yard. You’re supporting a whole food web, from tiny caterpillars to songbirds, right outside your door.
• Bonus for beginner gardeners! Native plants tend to be low-maintenance and hardy. Since they’re adapted to your area’s conditions, they often need less water and fuss to thrive. That means fewer fertilizers or chemicals, too. If you struggle to keep plants alive, natives might be your gateway to a green thumb! And by avoiding pesticides and choosing native species, you’ll create a safer, healthier environment for your family and local wildlife.

My Denver Pollinator Garden 2025

Here in Denver, I decided to replace a patch of boring back lawn with a small native pollinator garden in raised beds (to keep any potentially toxic plants away from my small dog). I started with showy milkweed because I know monarchs can’t resist it. Next, I added leadplant, a hardy purple-blooming shrub that covers itself in butterfly-attracting flowers. Finally, I tucked in some cover and flowers, like harebell. Harebells have delicate blue bell-shaped blooms, and despite their dainty look, they’re tough as nails – plus bees love them! After seeing what I have success with this year, I will fill in the gaps next year with all my new knowledge. 

This first summer, our little Denver garden is coming to life. While the sun is pretty wicked here, a lot of these plant species will not need regular watering after this initial season to establish their roots (they are perennials, so they will return annually). As it is, I usually only water every other day (Denver does have water restriction rules). This simple garden, full of Colorado native plants, is going to become a mini wildlife sanctuary!

Best Plants for Bees and Butterflies (in the Northeast and Beyond)

One key to a successful pollinator garden is choosing the right plants for your region. Natives will vary by area – a plant that’s native in Colorado and works for me might not be native in New York to work for our resident mom, Jenn, for example. Here are some pollinator garden ideas for plant selection:

• Northeast U.S. (e.g., Boston/New York): Look for bright, nectar-rich native flowers that bloom across seasons. Great options include bee balm (often called wild bergamot), New England aster, black-eyed Susan, and butterfly weed. These plants are all native to the Northeast and beloved by pollinators – bee balm and butterfly weed attract bees and hummingbirds, asters and black-eyed Susans are butterfly magnets. They’ll add a riot of color from summer into fall. You might also consider natives like purple coneflower (Echinacea), goldenrod, and New England blazing star, which are fantastic late-season nectar sources.
• Rocky Mountains/High Plains (Denver): Native wildflowers such as milkweeds, purple coneflower (Echinacea), leadplant, harebells, blanket flower, and penstemon species do well in this region’s semi-arid climate (I’ve got a few of these in my own garden, as mentioned). They provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while being drought-tolerant. Native penstemons (also called beardtongues) bloom in spring and are adored by hummingbirds and bees. Check out the Butterfly Pavilions guides on pollinator gardening for more information. 
• Other U.S. Regions: Wherever you live, seek out native blooms adapted to your area (you can observe what is native by going for a walk on non-groomed trails, for example). In the Southeast, plants like purple passionflower (a host for Gulf fritillary butterflies), blazing star, or black-eyed Susans work well. In the Southwest, desert marigold or native sages might be ideal. A quick search or visit to your local parks can point you to the best regional picks. The Pollinator Partnership offers customized planting guides based on your zip code here.

Remember, diversity is key! Try to include a mix of plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall so there’s a continuous food supply for pollinators. Also, aim for different flower colors and shapes. Vary the levels of plants to ensure access for all species, large and small (taller shrubs or trees, mixed with medium and ground cover, etc), and always buy at least two of the same species of plant to ensure pollinators can successfully germinate them. By planting a variety of native species, you’ll support a greater variety of pollinators and an overall healthier ecosystem.

Local Resources and Plant Sources

Starting a native plant garden can feel easier with a little community support. Luckily, there are great resources to guide you:

• Cooperative Extension Offices: These are gardening helplines run by universities in almost every county. They offer free advice on what to plant and how to garden sustainably. For example, Cornell Cooperative Extension in NY or Colorado State University Extension have tons of info for local gardeners.
• Native Plant Societies and Garden Clubs: Many regions have native plant societies (like the Colorado Native Plant Society or Wild Ones chapters) that are wonderful for beginners. They host workshops, garden tours, and plant sales where you can buy native plants and seeds. You’ll meet enthusiastic folks who can share tips (and sometimes free plants!). These groups often publish regional native plant lists or books, which can be extremely helpful for planning your garden.
• Online Native Plant Finders and Directories: A few handy tools to bookmark – 
  
  • Audubon Native Plants Database: Enter your zip code, and it lists native plants for your area, including which pollinators each supports.
  • National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder (Garden for Wildlife): Similar zip code search to find plants and even nurseries that carry them.
  • Xerces Society Guides: Xerces (a pollinator conservation group) provides free downloadable plant lists by region and lots of info on creating pollinator habitats.
  • Local Nursery Directories: The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and some native plant societies offer directories of nurseries that specialize in natives. This can save you time hunting around. I found that the man who ran my local native nursery was extremely helpful in finding what I came for, list in hand. 

Using these resources can take the guesswork out of plant selection. And remember, even staff at local garden centers might not always know what’s truly native, so doing a bit of research first (or bringing a plant list with you) helps ensure you get the real native species, not look-alike cultivars (which are genetically modified versions of native species, usually for aesthetic reasons).

Make it a Family Gardening Project – Get the Kids Involved!

One of the best parts of creating a pollinator garden is sharing the experience with your children or family. This is more than just gardening – it’s an outdoor science lab, a chance to nurture living things, and a lesson in ecology all in one. Here are some fun ways to include kids and make it a true family gardening project:

• Let Them Help Plan: Involve kids in choosing which plants to grow. Show them pictures of bees on bee balm or monarchs on milkweed and let them pick a favorite color or flower to include. When kids have a say, they’ll be more excited to help. Grab crayons and make a simple garden sketch together (every gardener's best friend when planning), complete with doodles of butterflies and birds.
• Make Planting Day Fun: Kids love digging in dirt! Give them small shovels or even just their hands (with gloves) to help plant. Show them how to gently tap a plant out of its pot and pat the soil around it. Don’t worry about perfection – if a few seedlings end up crooked, you can quietly fix them later. Emphasize how you’re “making a home” for the animals. Little ones might enjoy mimicking the act of “tucking in” the plants like putting a baby to bed.
• Create a Pollinator Habitat Craft: Turn this into an arts-and-crafts opportunity. You could build a simple bee hotel together by bundling hollow stems or drilling wood blocks for solitary bees to nest in. Or set up a butterfly puddling station (a shallow dish with sand and water for insects to drink). Paint a sign or rock with the garden’s name (maybe “[Their Name]’s Butterfly Garden”) to give kids ownership. These activities make the project even more engaging.
• Observation and Discovery: Encourage your kids to observe the garden regularly. Perhaps make a “pollinator journal” where they can draw what they see – the first butterfly, different types of bees, or the growth of flowers. You might be amazed at how quickly they learn the names and habits of various critters. It’s like a treasure hunt each day to see what new visitors have arrived. You can also read books or watch videos about pollinators together to connect what they learn in the garden to a bigger context.
• Celebrate the Achievements: When that first monarch butterfly swoops in or when the sunflowers finally open, celebrate! Take photos of your kids with “their” garden. Maybe have a little garden party or tea time next to the flowers. Positive reinforcement will make them proud of caring for living things. It’s a wonderful lesson in responsibility and patience, and it fosters a deeper appreciation for nature.

By including the whole family, you’re not only creating memories and a beautiful outdoor space, but also teaching the next generation the importance of caring for the environment. Kids who grow up gardening with native plants and observing pollinators are more likely to become good stewards of the earth as they grow.

As your native plant pollinator garden grows, take a moment to enjoy what you’ve accomplished. You’ve transformed a piece of your yard into a vibrant habitat that helps sustain local bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Each time you see a bumblebee diving into a flower or a hummingbird dancing through your yard, you’ll know your efforts made that possible.

Beyond the delight it brings to your family, your garden is part of a larger conservation puzzle. If many households plant even a small pollinator patch, it creates a network of food and shelter that can significantly bolster pollinator populations. You’re contributing to your local ecosystem in a meaningful way – turning your home landscape into a force for good. And you’ve done it all while enjoying sunshine, playing in the dirt with your kids, and watching life bloom around you. That’s a win-win-win! 🐦🐝🦋🌼