Pollinator-Friendly Gardens Don't Have to Sacrifice Style

Pollinator-friendly gardens don't have to sacrifice style

For gardeners who love colorful, tidy flower beds, helping pollinators doesn't have to mean going fully wild. A new study from plant biologists at Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden found that some cultivated plants—bred for their vibrant blooms, compact forms and visually appealing uniformity—can still provide meaningful support for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Pollinator-friendly gardens don’t have to sacrifice style

Plant biologists studied how well these cultivated plants attract pollinators, compared to wildtype plants. Native wildtype plants always attracted insect pollinators, but some cultivated varieties performed just as well, showing they have ecological value in gardens.