You probably know that bees are key to pollinating plants, but so are butterflies, hummingbirds, other insects and even bats. Pollinator populations are declining worldwide largely due to habitat loss and pesticide poisoning, according to the National Park Service. Native plants are uniquely able to support these species. For example, goldenrod, native to much of the U.S., has variations that can sustain more than 100 species of butterflies and 42 bees. The “top” plants here are based on popularity with consumers, but each state has many native plants that will promote biodiversity, grow well in local soil and climate conditions and—bonus—crowd out weeds. The park service has a guide to creating a native garden by region, and the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife project has a database you can search by most U.S. ZIP codes, with more to come.
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