Native All‑Stars: 9 Plants That Help Pollinators and Landscapes Thrive
If you’ve been thinking about planting for pollinators, you’re on the right track. Healthy landscapes depend on bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. The best news? Supporting them doesn’t require a wild meadow…just a few smart native plant choices.
Below are three of our favorite native trees, shrubs, and perennials to add real ecological value and year‑round beauty to your yard. Doug Tallamy’s research on keystone species that support pollinators and serve as host plants for caterpillars is a massive aid in selecting plants that are not only beautiful, but provide real ecological value in supporting the food web from the ground up.
Below are some of our favorite plants and the wildlife they support.
Our Top 3 Native Trees for Pollinators
White Oak (Quercus alba)
Why We Love It: Majestic, long‑lived cornerstone of eastern forests.
Pollinators Supported: Oaks host 500+ species of caterpillars—critical bird food.
Extra Benefit: Excellent shade and stunning autumn color.
River Birch (Betula nigra)
Why We Love It: Peeling bark, graceful form, thrives in wet or dry soils.
Pollinators Supported: Supports 400+ Lepidoptera species.
Extra Benefit: Fast‑growing solution for tough spots.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Why We Love It: Early spring flowers and fiery red fall foliage.
Pollinators Supported: An essential early nectar source for emerging native bees.
Extra Benefit: Adaptable to a wide range of sites and helps with stormwater.
Our Three Favorite Native Shrubs for Pollinators
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Why We Love It: Delicious berries and red fall leaves.
Pollinators Supported: Bumblebees, miner bees, and specialist blueberry bees.
Extra Benefit: Attracts songbirds with summer fruit.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Why We Love It: White spring flowers, white berries, and vivid red winter stems.
Pollinators Supported: Native bees and butterflies swarm its early blooms.
Extra Benefit: Perfect for rain gardens and erosion control.
Viburnum nudum (‘Possumhaw’ or ‘Brandywine’)
Why We Love It: Fragrant flowers and pink‑to‑blue berries.
Pollinators Supported: Over 100 caterpillar species plus nectar for small bees.
Extra Benefit: Glossy leaves turn burgundy‑purple in fall.
Three Perennials to Plant for Pollinators Now
Golden Fleece Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’)
Why We Love It: Compact, non‑invasive golden burst of late‑season color.
Pollinators Supported: Late‑season bumblebees, honeybees, wasps, and beetles.
Extra Benefit: Deer‑resistant and drought‑tolerant.
Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Why We Love It: Lavender‑blue flowers into October.
Pollinators Supported: Vital nectar for migrating monarchs and fall bees.
Extra Benefit: Provides late‑season color when most plants have finished.
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Why We Love It: Tall stems topped with pink‑purple blooms.
Pollinators Supported: Swallowtail butterflies, bees, and wasps flock to its nectar.
Extra Benefit: Thrives in moist soils and fills big spaces with drama.
Why Native Plants Matter
Ecologist Doug Tallamy reminds us that native plants are functional ecosystem parts, not just decoration. Without natives, pollinators—and the food webs they support—decline sharply. A single chickadee brood needs 6,000–9,000 caterpillars; you won’t get those from non‑native boxwoods or lawn grass.
Ready to Support Pollinators in Your Own Yard?
You don’t need to rewild everything at once. Start by mixing in a few native trees, shrubs, and perennials that provide real food and shelter for wildlife. Every plant makes a difference.
Union Landscape Design specializes in landscapes that are beautiful, low‑maintenance, and ecologically grounded. Let’s craft a yard that buzzes, flutters, and thrives—naturally.
