Photo by Terry LeBaron Monarchs on goldenrod, a native plant.

Native plants are more than just part of the scenery. They’re the backbone of functioning ecosystems — especially for native birds and insects. When these plants disappear, so do the species that depend on them. That connection is direct, often invisible until it’s too late.

Here’s why native plants matter so much–and what happens when we overlook them.

They Provide the Right Food

at the Right Time

Birds and insects have evolved alongside native plants for thousands of years. This co-evolution means that the timing, type, and availability of food are tightly aligned with their life cycles.

For example:

Caterpillars, which are essential baby bird food, are picky eaters. Most won’t touch non-native plants.

Pollinators like bees and butterflies rely on native flowers for nectar and pollen. Exotic plants might bloom at the wrong time or produce nectar they can’t use.

Without native plants, these food sources vanish. Birds like chickadees may struggle to raise their young. Butterflies fail to complete their life cycles. The chain reaction begins.

They Support Insect Diversity

–and That’s Not Optional

Insects aren’t optional in the food web–they’re the foundation. And native plants support far more insect species than non-natives.

One example: An oak tree native to North America can support 500+ species of caterpillars. A nearby ginkgo (a non-native tree)? Maybe 5 or 6. If you’re a bird feeding chicks in spring, that difference means life or death.

Fewer native plants = fewer insects = fewer birds.

They Create Habitat That Works

Birds and insects don’t just eat plants — they live in them. Nesting, shelter, mating, laying eggs — it all happens in habitats shaped by native species.

Take monarch butterflies. They lay eggs only on milkweed — a native plant. Without it, they can’t reproduce. Similarly, many ground-nesting birds depend on native grasses for cover. Ornamental plants or turf grass won’t do the job.

Non-Native Plants Disrupt

the Balance

Many non-native species are just decorative, but some become invasive. They outcompete native plants, spread fast, and offer little or nothing to wildlife. The result: ecological deserts.

Even well-intentioned plantings can backfire. A yard filled with exotic species may look lush but support almost no life.

See PLANTS,

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5. Restoration Starts at Home

Restoring native plant communities doesn’t require massive land projects. It can start in a front yard, a city park, or a school garden. Every patch of native habitat helps stitch the ecological web back together.

Planting native species:

— Supports pollinators and birds

— Reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers

— Rebuilds soil and water health

— Makes landscapes resilient to climate change

Bottom line: Native plants are not just “better” for birds and insects. In many cases, they’re essential. No substitutes. No workarounds. If we want to support native wildlife, the foundation is simple: bring back the plants they evolved with.

If we plant them, the birds and bugs will come. And if we don’t — many simply won’t survive.

Submitted by Patty Habig Bowen of Westfield Nursery, Inc.