Wildflower vs. Pollinator vs. Native Plant Gardens

What's the difference?

We often use the terms “wildflower garden,” “pollinator garden” and “native plant garden” interchangeably. The concepts overlap, to be sure. But if we’re interested in helping the environment, it’s worth wrapping our heads around a few key distinctions.

A “wildflower” is technically a plant growing freely without human intervention -- a pretty little something that might crop up on the side of the road, for example. When people speak of wildflower gardens, though, they typically have in mind less a horticultural category and more a landscaping style that’s distinct from, say, formal European gardens or regimented vegetable beds. The term connotes a loose, naturalistic effect. Depending on the gardener, the wildflower vibe can be achieved with a whole range of plants: annuals, perennials, natives, exotics, invasives – whatever suits the mood. The point is to create that fanciful, easy-going aesthetic. Here’s the problem: once we introduce non-native or especially invasive plants, we undermine the ecological benefit of the garden.

A wildflower-style garden with species that are lovely, but may or may not be native. "Wildflower Meadow" by jaythegardener is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

A pollinator garden has a more functional focus: it’s designed to attract bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and other creatures that transfer pollen from flower to flower. Why is this important? Pollinators are dying off, and yet they help create a third of our food supply. Even more important, 80 percent of flowering plants need pollinators to reproduce. Without pollinators, our planet would be unrecognizable and probably inhospitable to humans. Supporting pollinators is unquestionably valuable. As a result, there are multiple movements around the world dedicated to that goal.

I have two quibbles with the popular emphasis on pollinator gardens, though. The first is that garden centers and nurseries often prey on our good intentions by selling us “pollinator-friendly” plants that are either non-native (think catmint or English lavender) or invasive (think butterfly bush). Just because butterflies like a plant’s nectar doesn’t mean it gives them the nutrition they need to survive or the habitat they need to reproduce. Think of it this way – butterfly bush:butterflies::Mountain Dew:preteens. Only worse. My second gripe has to do with the exclusive focus on pollinators. The health of our ecosystems depends on a whole interactive web of plants, animals and fungi. We need frogs, foxes, fireflies and finches in addition to those lepidoptera. Pollinators are a critical part of this network, but they’re not the whole caboodle.

Butterflies bellying up to the junk-food bar. "3 butterflies on buddleia bush in our garden" by Karen V Bryan is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

This brings us to native plant gardens, which have the holistic goal of creating sustainable plant communities. They provide habitat to a whole spectrum of creatures and restore biodiversity. They cut down on resource waste and reduce air and water pollution. They trap carbon and help manage stormwater. In other words, they support the web of life. If we care about saving our planet (we do, right?) then that’s what we need to focus on.

Look, you can have your wildflower aesthetic, if that’s what you want. And you can make your yard a pollinatorpalooza. Just please, please pursue these things in the broader context of a native plant community.

A native plant community on New York’s High Line. Photo by Lolly Jewett.

Our gardens deserve to be their best. Let’s not settle for less.

If you live in the DC vicinity and could use assistance with sustainable landscaping, visit Bees’ Knees Design. I’d be happy to help you.