Tip Sheet #12
Pollinator-Friendly Gardening

Experts generally agree that pollinator-friendly gardening involves providing habitat (food, water, shelter) and reducing the use of pesticides. A wide variety of plants that flower throughout the seasons, including natives, are recommended. There are a number of free online resources that provide additional guidance, including recommended plant lists and how-to advice. A selection is listed below, including those from Washington State University (WSU), Oregon State University (OSU) and King County

OSU references are available at OSU Extension Service Catalog:

• Providing Habitat for Native Pollinators EC1649
• Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators EM9289
• Encouraging Beneficial Insects in the Garden PNW550
• A Guide to Hedgerows: Plantings That Enhance Biodiversity, Sustainability and Functionality EM8721
• Shrubs and Trees for Bees EM9391
• Native Plant Picks for Bees EM9363

WSU references are available at WSU Extension Publications:

• Pollination & Protecting Bees and Other Pollinators, FS174E
• Beneficial Insects, Spiders, and Other Mini-Creatures in Your Garden, EM067E
• Washington Bumble Bees in Home Yards & Gardens, FS263E
• Megachilid (leafcutter & mason) Bees in the Pacific Northwest PNW692
• Lady Beetles: Should We Buy Them for our Gardens? FS268E
• Pesticide Ingredient: Neonicotinoids, FS210E
• Are Native Trees and Shrubs Better Choices for Wildlife in Home Landscapes? FS300E
• Gardening with Companion Plants EM128E

• King County, pollinator information: Website includes links to habitat guidelines and recommended plant lists.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Resources, including planting a pollinator garden and creating nesting sites.
• U.S. Forest Service: Includes gardening for pollinators and pollinator-friendly best practices.
• Xerces Society, Website includes pollinator plant lists by region.
• Pollinator Partnership, Website includes planting guides by region.
• National Wildlife Federation: Website includes guidance on creation of pollinator habitat. NWF also provides a listing of keystone native plants for our region. These plants play a key role in pollinator survival.
• Great Plant Picks, Plant recommendations for our PNW, including those for birds, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Washington Native Plant Society, Plant lists, including natives.  Backyard wildlife and habitat resources.
• Pollinator Pathways NW, a project of the non-profit 21 Acres in Woodinville. Website and newsletter provide pollinator guidance and resources.
• Bellevue Botanical Garden, In partnership with Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG), WSU King County Master Gardeners developed the Habitats at Home Demonstration Garden, which will be on display in the BBG Courtyard Bed until spring 2028. It showcases plants and practices that support pollinators, highlighting four-season bloom and plant diversity.  More information is available here.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Pollinators. Resources, including planting a pollinator garden and creating nesting sites.

• U.S. Forest Service. Includes gardening for pollinators and pollinator-friendly practices in publication “Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden Using Native Plants (PDF)“.

• US Department of Agriculture. Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden Using Native Plants.

• Xerces Society Website includes pollinator plant lists by region.

• Pollinator Partnership. Website includes planting guides by region.

• National Pollinator Network. Website includes references, resources and links.

• National Wildlife Federation – Native Plant Habitats. Website includes guidance on creation of pollinator habitat.

• Great Plant Picks. Plant recommendations for our PNW, including those for birds, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

• Washington Native Plant Society. Plant lists, including natives. Backyard wildlife and habitat resources.