Gardening in Harmony With Birds and Pollinators

Gardeners love the creatures that inhabit their backyard worlds almost as much as they love their plants. And with the issue of climate change and loss of natural habitat now right at our doorstep, it has never been a more critical time to do what we can to support birds and pollinators in our cultivated landscapes. There are many plant options and steps we can take that will attract and nurture our winged friends in their search for food, water, nesting materials, and refuges in our gardens. 

Choosing plants that can serve as food at various times of year, and for different stages of wildlife cycles, is a key ingredient to a bird- and pollinator-friendly garden. When making selections do not only consider attributes that you like, but choose qualities that are important to wildlife as food in the form of foliage for butterfly caterpillars, flowers for bees, and berries for birds. 

Taking steps to provide water and manage pest and diseases in a way that will not harm innocent creatures or the environment is an important consideration too. The introduction of even the smallest water features, such as a bird bath or tabletop fountain, helps to support the creatures who visit our gardens. At the same time, applying nontoxic disease-control methods, such as growing disease-resistant varieties of plants, keeps all visitors in the garden safe. By working toward the goal of creating backyard habitats that benefit everyone, people and wildlife, we can establish outdoor spaces that are beautiful and that contribute to the sustainability of the natural environment and of the animals that depend on these spaces. 

More information:

Bird population in decline

Insect population status

Pollinator declines and possible causes

Ways to help the pollinators

Sustainable forage in the United States

Leave the leaves

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  How-To

  Native Plants for the Birds

  The right native plant species can make your garden an avian haven.
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  How-To

  Inviting Birds Into Your Garden

  Lure them in with food, shelter, and water.
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  Design

  Hummingbird Favorites

  Find out what all the buzz is about by planting these colorful perennials.
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  Design

  Designing a Stylish Pollinator Garden

  Careful plant placement helps this space attract a plethora of good insects without looking messy.
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  How-To

  A Hole in Every Host Plant

  Here are just a few of the host plants we grow within the garden, and the caterpillars they nourish.
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  Design

  Hooked on Hyssops

  Give these perennials the essentials, and they’ll reward you with flowers, fragrance, and hummingbirds.
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  Design

  The Best of the Bee Balms

  Trial results identify the most disease-resistant and pollinator-friendly varieties.
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  Garden Photo of the Day

  Creating Homes for Pollinators

  Palaces and plants make for happy pollinators.
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  Design

  Take a Walk on the Wild Side

  Create a creature-friendly garden that’s in tune with nature and that looks good too.
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  How-To

  Plants to Attract Wildlife

  If you want to attract wildlife, then adding plants to your garden that can serve as food will help.
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  Design

  Simple Ways to Add Water to the Garden

  Create harmony between water features and surrounding elements.
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  Design

  Pollinators’ Favorite Nectar Plants

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  How-To

  How to Manage Pests Sustainably With IPM

  These dos and don’ts show how this earth-friendly approach can be adapted to any size garden.
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  Kitchen Gardening

  Attract Beneficial Insects to Your Garden

  Get acquainted with the good bugs and lure them to your garden by planting flowers they like. It's a green way to keep your vegetables healthy.

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  Design

  Bring the Buzzzzz Back to Your Garden

  Enliven your beds with flowers that attract, nurture, and nourish bees