The Good Bugs are Coming (aka Pollinators!)
Spring is here, and so are the bugs. Some of them will chew holes in your cabbage. Some will sip nectar and mind their own beeswax. And some, dear gardener, will go to battle for you. In this guest blog, Sarah Sikich shares how to roll out the red carpet for the bugs that have your back.
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Credit: Sarah Sikich, The Giving Grove
Enter: The Beneficial Insect
Beneficial insects are the unsung heroes of the orchard and garden. They pollinate our crops, prey on pests, and parasitize the bad actors that would otherwise munch their way through your veggie beds and fruit trees. But how do we keep these helpful bugs close at hand? With a native plant insectary garden, of course.
What is an insectary garden?
An insectary garden is like a welcome mat for beneficial insects. It’s designed to attract and support pollinators and pest-eating allies by offering a steady buffet of nectar and pollen from early spring through late fall. In the off-season, it provides cozy nooks for overwintering. Think of it as an AirBnB for bugs. These gardens aren’t just pretty faces (though the blooms certainly don’t hurt). They’re functional and full of ecological purpose, and, when planted with natives, they fit seamlessly into your city’s landscape.
Why go native?
Native plants are local legends. They’ve evolved over thousands of years to thrive in your region’s unique climate, soils, and seasons, whether that means sweltering summers, surprise frosts, or the occasional torrential downpour. But their real magic lies in the relationships they’ve built. Native plants and native wildlife have co-evolved to depend on each other. Some of these relationships are so specific that without one, the other simply can’t survive. Monarch butterflies need milkweed. The blue sage bee needs (you guessed it) blue sage. When you plant native, you’re not just filling your garden. You’re completing an ancient ecological puzzle.
But not all native plants play the same role in that puzzle. Each part of the country belongs to a distinct ecoregion, and within each ecoregion, there are keystone plants (species that serve as the backbone of their local ecosystems). These plants provide critical food and habitat for a wide range of insects, birds, and animals. Oaks, for example, support hundreds of species of caterpillars, which in turn feed baby birds. While all keystone plants are native, not every native plant is a keystone. Some simply don’t support enough life to earn that title.
If you’re ready to dig in and make the biggest impact, find out what keystone plants grow in your ecoregion by visiting Homegrown National Park. It’s the best place to start turning your backyard into a thriving habitat.
The VIP guest list: Who are the beneficials?
When people think “pollinator,” honeybees often get all the glory. But they’re just one guest at the garden party. Every region is home to hundreds of native pollinators, including bumblebees, tiny sweat bees, leafcutter bees, and a dazzling array of butterflies, flies, and beetles.
And then there are the bodyguards. Ladybugs (and their not-so-cute larvae) devour aphids like popcorn at a matinee. Braconid wasps sneakily lay eggs inside caterpillars and control populations from the inside out. Leatherwing beetles snack on soft-bodied insects, and dragonflies patrol the skies like tiny helicopters. Even spiders (not technically insects) pull their weight in the pest control department.
So, what should you plant?
Photo Credit: ©Steve R Turner, MissouriPlants.com
Wherever you live, the key to supporting pollinators is to offer a buffet that lasts from early spring through late fall. That means planting a diverse mix of native species that bloom in succession, starting in March and stretching all the way to November. Early bloomers help hungry bees and butterflies wake up after winter. Mid-season flowers sustain growing colonies and migrating species. And late-season blooms are essential fuel for pollinators preparing for winter or long migrations.
Of course, bloom timing and species vary by region. What thrives in the Midwest may not suit the Southwest or the Pacific Northwest. That’s why it’s important to choose regionally appropriate native plants—and to aim for continuous bloom throughout the growing season. A great place to start is the Xerces Society’s Pollinator Resource Center, which offers planting guides tailored to your ecoregion, along with lists of pollinator-friendly native plants, seed sources, and seasonal tips.
Design with intention, not perfection.
Your insectary garden doesn’t have to look like a formal flower bed. It can be a border, a patch in your orchard understory, or a mix of potted natives on a patio. What matters most is diversity—different colors, shapes, and bloom times. If it feels a bit wild, good! Nature loves a bit of chaos.
Pro tip: Group plants in clusters to make them easier for insects to find, and be sure to leave stems standing over winter to offer shelter for eggs and hibernating adults.
Let’s get buzzing!
A native insectary garden is one of the easiest and most joyful ways to invite biodiversity into your space. You’ll not only help your fruit trees and vegetables thrive, but you’ll also be giving a much-needed boost to struggling pollinators and beneficial insect populations.
So, the next time you see a wasp hovering near your mountain mint, don’t panic—tip your sunhat and say, “Thank you.” Your garden’s best defenders might just have six legs and wings.