Previous
Pollinator gardening may seem like a modern movement sparked by concerns about bee decline and climate change—but its roots stretch deep into the fabric of American history. From Native American agricultural traditions to Victory Gardens of the World Wars, and from suburban lawns to today’s eco-conscious landscaping, pollinators have always been part of the American gardening story.
A Legacy Rooted in Indigenous Wisdom
Long before European settlers arrived, Native American communities across North America practiced a form of agriculture that embraced ecological harmony. Pollinators were not just passive visitors—they were essential partners.
Many tribes understood and encouraged plant-pollinator relationships, particularly through interplanting systems like the “Three Sisters:” corn, beans, and squash. These crops supported not only human nutrition but also a thriving pollinator population. Indigenous gardening practices included:
- Growing flowering herbs like bee balm, yarrow, and echinacea alongside vegetables
- Allowing wild plants such as milkweed and goldenrod to remain undisturbed
- Respecting seasonal cycles that aligned with pollinator lifespans
This early form of pollinator gardening was practical and ecologically sophisticated—fostering biodiversity long before the concept had a scientific name.
Colonial and Early American Gardens
European settlers brought with them formal garden styles that emphasized order and utility—kitchen gardens were functional but often featured flowering herbs such as thyme, mint, and dill, which were attractive to pollinators.
Beekeeping also became an important part of early American agriculture. The European honeybee (Apis mellifera) was introduced to the continent in the 1600s, quickly becoming a mainstay in crop pollination and honey production. However, wild pollinators like bumblebees, sweat bees, and butterflies continued to play crucial roles.
Pollinator gardening in this era wasn’t a deliberate practice, but gardens—dense with herbs, vegetables, and heirloom flowers—offered unintentional but welcome support for local pollinators.
The 19th Century: A Flourish of Ornamentals
As ornamental gardening took root in the 1800s, Americans began cultivating showy blooms like hollyhocks, phlox, and bee balm. Victorian-era gardens brimmed with native and introduced species, many of which drew butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Botanical knowledge expanded rapidly thanks to naturalists and gardeners like John Bartram and Asa Gray, who helped document native flora. This period also saw the birth of seed catalogs and plant societies, which introduced home gardeners to the idea of purposeful planting—though still not specifically for pollinators.
The 20th Century: From Victory Gardens to Suburban Lawns
Victory Gardens (1917–1940s)
During World War I and II, Americans were encouraged to plant “Victory Gardens” to support food production. These gardens often included a range of fruits and vegetables that required pollination, inadvertently supporting pollinators.
Because these gardens were densely planted and often organic by necessity, they became
accidental havens for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
The Rise of Suburbia (1950s–1970s)
Postwar prosperity brought about a different trend—lush, pesticide-treated lawns and manicured shrubs. Native plants were replaced by turfgrass and ornamentals bred for aesthetics over ecological function.
This era saw a steep decline in pollinator habitat as sprawl, pesticides, and a preference for “clean” gardens dominated residential landscapes.
The Late 20th Century: Awakening to Ecological Gardening
By the 1980s and 1990s, concerns about environmental degradation sparked new interest in organic gardening, habitat restoration, and native plants. Scientists began sounding the alarm about declining honeybee populations, habitat fragmentation, and monoculture farming.
Movements like xeriscaping in the West and wildflower gardening in the East encouraged gardeners to reintroduce native plants and reduce lawn area—both beneficial shifts for pollinators.
Books like Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy (2007) catalyzed a national conversation around native plants, biodiversity, and the importance of home landscapes in sustaining ecological networks.
Pollinator Gardening in the 21st Century
Today, pollinator gardening is a growing national movement driven by environmental awareness, scientific research, and grassroots enthusiasm. Organizations like the Xerces Society, National Wildlife Federation, and Pollinator Partnership provide guidance and advocacy.
Home gardeners, schools, public parks, and even corporations are planting pollinator habitats—ranging from pocket gardens in urban lots to expansive wildflower meadows in rural spaces.
Municipalities and federal agencies have joined the effort as well. The Monarch Highway is a multi-state initiative to plant milkweed and nectar plants along a critical migratory route. This preservation effort runs along Interstate 35 from Minnesota to Texas.
Changes in Prevalent Pollinators Over Time
The cast of pollinators in American gardens has shifted significantly over the centuries, shaped by land use, climate, and human behavior.
Honeybees: From Hero to Vulnerable
Once hailed as the ultimate pollinator, the European honeybee has faced significant challenges since the mid-2000s due to Colony Collapse Disorder, mites, pesticides, and disease. Though still vital for agriculture, honeybees are increasingly dependent on human intervention.
Native Bees: Rising Stars with Declining Populations
Over 4,000 species of native bees in the U.S.—including bumblebees, mason bees, and leafcutter bees—are now recognized for their irreplaceable role in pollination. Unfortunately, many species are declining. The Rusty Patched Bumblebee, once common across the Midwest, is now endangered.
Monarch Butterflies: A Symbol of Fragility
The dramatic migration of monarch butterflies once filled the skies each Fall. But with milkweed habitats dwindling and climate change disrupting cycles, monarch populations have plummeted by over 80 percent in some areas over the past 20 years.
Hummingbirds and Other Creatures
Changes in flowering seasons, urbanization, and habitat loss have affected hummingbirds, bats, and other pollinators. While some adapt quickly, others, especially specialist species, struggle to survive in altered environments.
The Ramifications of Losing Pollinators
The potential loss of critical pollinators isn’t just a concern for nature lovers—it has sweeping implications:
Food Insecurity
Crops like apples, berries, almonds, melons, and squash all depend on pollinators. A collapse in pollinator populations would significantly reduce the availability and variety of fresh produce.
Economic Loss
Pollination services (renting hives of honeybees) contribute billions of dollars annually to U.S. agriculture. Without them, farmers would face higher costs and lower yields.
Ecological Collapse
Pollinators support wild plants that anchor ecosystems. A decline in pollinators would lead to cascading losses in plant diversity, wildlife habitat, and soil stability.
Cultural Loss
Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds aren’t just ecological players—they’re part of our cultural and emotional landscape. Their decline would represent a spiritual and aesthetic loss as well.
How Gardeners Can Support Pollinators
Here’s the good news: Garden-level efforts can have a massive cumulative impact. Every pollinator-friendly plant, every patch of wildflowers, and every unpaved space contributes to a growing web of ecological support.
Plant Native Species
Native plants are the best source of pollen and nectar for local pollinators. Choose a variety of species that bloom across the seasons to ensure year-round food.
Examples:
- Spring: Wild lupine, bluebells, serviceberry
- Summer: Purple coneflower, bee balm, milkweed
- Fall: Goldenrod, asters, sedum
Skip the Pesticides
Even organic or natural pesticides can be harmful to pollinators. Use integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and tolerate a few chewed leaves in the name of biodiversity.
Provide Habitat
Pollinators need more than flowers—they need places to rest, nest, and overwinter.
Leave bare soil patches for ground-nesting bees, install bee hotels, and allow leaf litter to
accumulate in Fall.
Add Water Sources
Pollinators get thirsty too. A shallow dish with pebbles or a small birdbath with gently sloping sides can offer critical hydration.
Shrink the Lawn
Lawns provide little food or shelter for pollinators. Replacing even a portion of your turf with native plantings can create a life-rich oasis.
Connect with Others
Pollinator corridors work best when communities participate. Encourage neighbors, schools, and local governments to plant native species and reduce harmful practices.
Join Citizen Science Efforts
Help scientists track pollinator populations by participating in initiatives like:
These projects contribute data that shape conservation strategies.
A New Era of Garden Stewardship
Pollinator gardening is a beautiful blend of the old and the new. It’s a return to ancestral wisdom, a response to modern challenges, and a hopeful path forward. By nurturing pollinators in our own backyards, we don’t just save bees—we restore balance, beauty, and resilience to the world around us.
You don’t need acres of land or advanced knowledge to make a difference. Just one garden, one milkweed plant, or one bee hotel can be a powerful act of stewardship.
As we face the environmental challenges of the 21st century, pollinator gardening offers us something rare: a solution that’s simple, joyful, and within reach. Let’s dig in.
