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Native Plants to Support Local Wildlife This Spring

Celebrate National Native Plant Month by planting with purpose

April is National Native Plant Month — the perfect time to grow with intention. As our landscapes wake up from winter, planting native species is one of the most powerful ways gardeners can support local wildlife, from pollinators to songbirds to amphibians. Native plants aren’t just beautiful — they’re essential.

🌼 Why Native Plants Matter

Native plants have evolved over thousands of years with the insects, birds, and wildlife in our region. These plants bloom in sync with pollinator lifecycles, provide shelter for emerging amphibians, and offer critical food sources to migrating birds and beneficial insects when other plants haven’t leafed out yet.

Early-season bloomers like Virginia bluebells, columbine, and wild geranium offer nectar and pollen when resources are still scarce. Golden Alexanders, foamflower, and wild ginger support native bees and beetles — and grow well in part-shade conditions. Even fallen leaves and the dense bases of switchgrass or little bluestem become safe hiding spots for salamanders, toads, and butterflies.

🌿 Easy Native Plants to Try This Spring

If you’re just starting out, here are some beautiful and easy-to-grow natives that thrive in our region:

  • Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) – Critical host for monarch caterpillars

  • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Loved by bees and goldfinches

  • Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Early nectar for hummingbirds

  • Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) – A pollinator powerhouse

  • New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) – Supports fall-flying pollinators

  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Tough and cheerful with wildlife appeal

  • Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – Beautiful all year, habitat for overwintering insects

🐝 Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

Want to do even more? Here are a few simple ideas:

  • Skip the pesticides. Let your garden be a safe zone.

  • Leave some leaf litter and add a brush pile in a corner of your yard.

  • Choose layers: trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers support more species.

  • Plant in clusters so pollinators can forage efficiently.

  • Add a water source, like a shallow birdbath with stones for insects to land.

🌸 Take Action This Spring

When you plant native, you’re not just creating beauty — you’re restoring balance. Whether you have a big yard, a small bed, or a few containers on the porch, there’s a native plant that can thrive in your space.

🦋 Shop our curated native plant collection in-store or on the app.
📲 Download the Lakeview Nurseries app for tips, plant highlights, and promotions.
🎁 Plant a Pollinator this spring and get rewarded! Spend $75 on select pollinator-friendly plants and get a $10 gift card with promo code POLLINATOR25.

Michelle Harvey