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

Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators is your go-to guide for creating vibrant, sustainable gardens that support the pollinators we depend on--butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, and the European honeybee. With environmental degradation threatening pollinator populations across North America, Helen Yoest--author, environmental scientist, and founder of the Bee Better Teaching Garden--shows readers how to take meaningful action right in their own yards, patios, and community spaces.This informative and inspiring guide offers step-by-step instructions for building pollinator habitats, including how to plant for year-round bloom, provide clean water and plant coverage, and create safe nesting sites using regionally appropriate native plants. You'll also learn how to transform traditional lawns into pollinator-friendly spaces using clover, native grasses, and sustainable gardening practices.In-depth chapters explore the biology and life cycles of butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, and honeybees, along with the specific host and nectar plants each pollinator group needs to thrive. Fun facts, migration patterns, population insights, and practical "how-to" sections make this book an engaging read and useful reference for gardeners, educators, conservationists, and nature lovers alike. Whether you're just starting out or expanding an existing garden, Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators empowers you to make a lasting difference--one bloom at a time.

Author: Helen Yoest
Publisher: Creative Homeowner
Published: 04/07/2026
Pages: 196
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 9.93h x 7.96w x 0.56d
ISBN: 9781580116206

About the Author
Yoest, Helen: -

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, www.beebetternaturally.com

​

​