Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators: A Comprehensive Guide to Attracting Birds, Bees and Butterflies

Cultivate a thriving, sustainable garden that welcomes birds, bees, butterflies — and makes a real difference!

With pollinator populations in decline and wildlife habitat restoration more important than ever, Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators delivers the hands-on guidance home gardeners and nature lovers need to create vibrant, wildlife-friendly spaces using native plants and landscaping practices that support sustainability and biodiversity.

From balconies and backyards to school gardens and community parks, this comprehensive go-to guide by environmental scientist and Bee Better Teaching Garden founder Helen Yoest empowers you to turn any outdoor space into a pollinator haven.

• All-in-one resource for pollinator gardening: Learn how to attract and support not just honeybees, but also Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and native bees with the best native plant selections and eco-conscious design tips
• Expert, science-based guidance: Written by a seasoned gardener with scientific credentials, this one-stop guide offers both credibility and accessibility for beginners and experienced gardeners alike
• Customized for your climate: Region-specific planting advice ensures success across all major U.S. growing zones, from the Southeast to the Pacific Northwest
• Build backyard wildlife habitats that last: Step-by-step instructions show how to create year-round blooming gardens, install clean water sources, and provide safe nesting sites with practical conservation strategies
• Transform a traditional lawn: Turn your yard into a pollinator-friendly space help combat habitat loss with clover, native grasses, host and nectar plants, and sustainable gardening practices
• Discover the life behind the bloom: Fascinating chapters explore the biology, migration patterns, and life cycles of each pollinator group, helping you understand their needs and how to support them

Whether you're rewilding your yard, teaching students about ecosystems, or restoring community green spaces, this book offers an inspiring path forward. It's perfect for home gardeners, educators, conservation groups, and anyone passionate about biodiversity, native landscaping, ecological gardening, or restoration landscaping.

With environmental degradation threatening pollinator populations across North America, Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators will help you take meaningful action right in your own yard, patio, or community space. Written for diverse wildlife gardening enthusiasts, the fun facts, pollinator population insights, and practical how-to sections make this book an engaging read and useful reference. Whether you're new to native planting or ready to deepen your impact, this book makes it easy to garden with purpose.

Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators is more than a gardening book — it's a call to action. With easy-to-follow advice and beautiful, functional solutions, it makes it simple to transform any outdoor space into a pollinator-friendly oasis that supports both wildlife and the planet. Whether you're just starting out or expanding an existing garden, this book will empower you to make a lasting difference, one bloom at a time.

Helen Yoest holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. A retired air pollution engineer, Helen now dedicates her expertise to land stewardship, currently conserving a 4.3-acre public space for ecological and community benefit.​

Her passion for sustainable landscaping and native plants has earned her recognition, including the City of Raleigh Award for Landscaping with Natives. She is also an accomplished garden writer, honored with a GardenComm Writing Award for her work on gardening with moss.​

Helen continues to inspire others through her environmental advocacy, writing, and hands-on conservation efforts. You can follow Helen on her blog, Bee Better Naturally (website).