In Northern Illinois and the Lower Great Lakes, native plants and local pollinators have evolved together over millennia. These co‑evolved partnerships create intricate ecological webs that support pollinators, and by extension, larger food webs.
By planting regionally adapted natives, gardeners can attract pollinators, build pollinator gardens, and help to save the bees and other vital species. Let’s explore some of the specific native plants and their pollinator partners, so that you can design and build native plant and pollinator gardens that flourish year after year.
Why Native Plants Matter
- Adapted to local climate: Native perennials in Illinois are built to survive our freeze‑thaw cycles, heat waves, occasional flooding or drought, and local soils. Once established, many require little supplemental watering.
- Deep roots support ecosystems: Many prairie and woodland natives have deep root systems, helping soil structure, retention, and resilience. Native plant root systems also provide stable habitat for ground‑nesting bees.
- Superior food sources: Native pollinators such as bees rely on the exact chemical cues, bloom shapes, and nectar/pollen profiles of regional species.
- Pesticide-Free Habitat: Native plants are typically more pest-resistant and adapted to local conditions, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers that can harm pollinators.
For these reasons, a pollinator garden filled with native species provides a sound ecological structure that cannot be duplicated with invasive species.
Key Native Plants and Their Pollinators
Milkweeds (Asclepias species)
Milkweed is an important native plant in the Northern Illinois and Lower Great Lakes region, playing a vital role in supporting pollinators, especially monarch butterflies. Monarchs rely exclusively on milkweed species like Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), A. syriaca (common milkweed), and A. incarnata (swamp milkweed) as host plants where they lay eggs and where caterpillars feed.
In addition to monarchs, milkweed flowers provide rich nectar for a variety of native bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, and even hummingbirds. The plant’s unique flower structure facilitates pollen transfer through specialized pollinia, which attach to visiting insects and promote effective cross-pollination. By planting multiple species of milkweed with staggered bloom times, gardeners can create continuous food sources while directly contributing to monarch conservation and broader pollinator health.
Prairie Perennials
Prairie perennials offer wonderful pollinator support, with a rich succession of blooms that nourish a wide range of species throughout the growing season. Early risers like Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) provide critical spring nectar for emerging bees and flies, while summer standouts like purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and bee balm (Monarda spp.) serve as vibrant feeding stations for native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial beetles.
Mid to late summer bloomers such as liatris (blazing star) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) continue the buffet with nectar-rich spikes and water-catching leaves that benefit both insects and birds. Fall-flowering species like Short’s aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) help sustain migrating pollinators, including monarchs and hummingbirds. Together, these native perennials form a dynamic, season-long support system that fuels local ecosystems and enhances biodiversity.
Shrubs, Vines, and Trees
Native shrubs, vines, and trees add structure, seasonal interest, and essential habitat for a wide range of pollinators. For example, buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), is a wetland-loving shrub that produces globe-shaped white flowers. Its nectar-rich blooms attract butterflies, bees, moths, and even birds. Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), a native vine with striking red tubular flowers, serves as a valuable nectar source for hummingbirds and long-tongued native bees.
Another pollinator favorite is anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), whose tall, fragrant lavender flower spikes are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Aromatic asters bloom well into the fall, providing late-season nectar for bees and migrating butterflies. In early spring, native trees and shrubs such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), black cherry (Prunus serotina), and American hazelnut (Corylus americana) offer some of the first pollen and nectar available to emerging bees.
Pollinators and Their Native Plant Relationships
Native Bees
Northern Illinois hosts an incredible diversity of native bees that includes mining bees, orchard bees, leafcutter bees, small carpenter bees, bumblebees. Many are solitary, non‑stinging, and extremely efficient pollinators.
- Mining bees and leafcutter bees visit open‑structured flowers like golden Alexander, coneflower, black‑eyed Susan.
- Orchard bees pollinate fruit blossoms (black cherry, plum), but also utilize asters and anise hyssop.
- Bumblebees and carpenter bees favor tubular flowers like bee balm, cup plant, trumpet honeysuckle.
These bees often have specialized relationships with native hosts, and tuse nests in bare ground or hollow stems, often within the garden.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies and moths are beautiful additions to any garden. Many have evolved alongside specific native plants, forming tightly woven relationships that support their entire life cycles. By planting the right native species, gardeners can provide essential nectar sources for adults and host plants for caterpillars, helping these pollinators thrive.
- Monarch butterflies rely on milkweeds (A. tuberosa, A. incarnata, A. syriaca) both as host plants and nectar sources.
- Skippers, fritillaries, swallowtails feed on nectar from blazing star, coneflower, cup plant, and asters.
- Moths, especially nocturnal species, are drawn to evening‑opening flowers like evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) and fragrant phlox, though not all species are native to Illinois.
Hummingbirds & Nectar Birds
- Ruby‑throated hummingbirds, our only breeding hummingbird in Illinois, are attracted to red tubular flowers such as bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet honeysuckle, penstemons, and monarda.
If you don’t deadhead some of the late season flowers in your garden or landscaping, it can help provide a vital nectar source for local hummingbirds.
Building a Successful Pollinator Garden
The next step is to put this knowledge to use by installing a pollinator garden in your own yard or community space. This involves creating a habitat, supporting biodiversity, and making a lasting impact on local ecosystems. With the right mix of native species and thoughtful design, you can transform even a small patch of land into a thriving refuge for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more.
Below are some basic steps to help you get started.
Planning
- Choose native, low‑maintenance plants suited to soil and light in Northern Illinois.
- Use primarily single‑stem or composite flowers which are easier for bees to access.
- Mix heights and colors for multiple points of access. This can include tall coneflowers and cup plant, mid‑height asters and milkweed, low golden Alexander, clover.
- Ensure bloom succession from spring (cherry, golden Alexander), summer (milkweed, bee balm, cup plant), to fall (asters, blazing star).
- Provide nesting habitats with patches of bare ground (mining bees), undisturbed leaf litter, hollow stems, or brush piles.
- Limit pesticide use to organic or integrated practices.
- Water sources such as shallow dishes, damp sponges, or the “cups” of cup plant leaves are perfect bee baths.
- Use sun‑soaked and shaded zones because most pollinator plants need six or more hours of sun, though some butterflies will venture to part‑shade plants.
Layout Suggestions
- Spring orchard border: plant native trees/shrubs (black cherry, hazelnut, chokeberry) for early blossoms.
- Core perennial bed: clusters of golden Alexander, bee balm, purple coneflower, black‑eyed Susan, milkweed.
- Mid‑ to late summer: add cup plant, blazing star, penstemon, anise hyssop.
- Fall border: plant asters (Short’s aster, aromatic aster), blazing star for nectar overlap.
- Wet or rain garden edge: include swamp milkweed and buttonbush near moisture zones.
Some Tips and Best Practices for Attracting Pollinators
- Plant in clusters: Grouping single‑species clumps helps pollinators locate blooms more efficiently.
- Avoid hybrid mixes masquerading as natives: Many “wildflower mixes” contain non‑native or invasive species, so it’s best to speak with an experienced nursery to ensure you’re planting the right native plants.
- Provide different bloom seasons: Spring tree blossoms, summer perennials, and fall asters ensure continuous flower for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Leave stems & seedheads: Monarchs and hummingbirds benefit from unreduced flower stalks after mid‑August.
- Incorporate water features: Small shallow water sources with pebbles let bees and butterflies safely drink.
Conservation Impact and Community Value
By transforming yards into native pollinator gardens, individuals can make a meaningful impact on both local and migratory ecosystems. Fall-blooming natives like asters, butterfly weed, goldenrod, and black-eyed Susan provide critical fuel for monarch butterflies migrating from the Great Lakes region to Mexico.
When neighbors, schools, and businesses create native plantings, they help form habitat patches and ecological corridors that support pollinators across otherwise fragmented urban and suburban landscapes. These gardens also enhance biodiversity by supporting birds, beneficial insects, and a wide range of native wildlife, while reducing reliance on water, lawn chemicals, and mowing.
Gardeners in Northern Illinois can amplify their efforts by partnering with organizations like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, and sourcing plants from regional nurseries such as Pizzo Native Plant Nursery to ensure they’re planting species well adapted to local conditions.
The Most Essential Native Plant-Pollinator Partnerships
Monarch and Milkweed
Monarch butterflies literally cannot survive without the milkweed species. Milkweeds allow egg‑laying, caterpillar feeding, and provide high‑energy nectar stations all summer through to fall migrations. If you’re looking to attract monarchs into your garden, this is a must.
Bumblebees, Hummingbirds, and Tubular Flowers
Bee balm, penstemon, trumpet honeysuckle, and cup plant all offer tubular nectar rich blooms that bumblebees and hummingbirds rely on, especially in mid‑to late summer when other sources fade. Not deadheading late-season flowers can mean the difference between energy for migration or starvation.
Native Bees and Composite Blooms
Species like coneflowers, black‑eyed Susan, asters, and cup plant have open, flat landing pads and accessible pollen, which are ideal for solitary bees and bumblebees who need easy access and pollen collection. If you’re looking to save the bees, this is a must.
Planting for the Future
Creating a native plant pollinator garden in Northern Illinois is about community conservation. Each yard becomes a node in a network of habitat supporting monarchs, native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. By choosing the plants above, you’re choosing to participate in that network and create a habitat that can sustain essential life.
When we turn suburban and urban landscapes into corridors of life, we can save the bees, attract pollinators, and build thriving pollinator gardens.
We Are Your Partner for Creating Thriving Native Plant-Pollinator Partnerships
Building a thriving pollinator garden can help you attract more wildlife into your back yards and landscaping areas. It offers bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators a habitat. You can beautify your landscape while creating a haven for these animals.
Native plants offer you unmatched diversity while providing the food source and shelter that these animals require. When you understand the specific plants that they rely on, you can build more thriving environments. The team here at Pizzo Native Plant Nursery can help you select the right plants for your pollinator garden. Our nursery encompasses 40 acres of beautiful, restored wetland and prairie habitat in Leland, Illinois. Visit where to buy to learn more about ordering native plants for your project.