Native plants are having a moment and for good reason.

Across Wisconsin, gardeners are rethinking traditional landscapes and looking for ways to support pollinators, reduce maintenance, and create more resilient outdoor spaces. Native plants offer a practical, meaningful way to do all three.

At Green Bay Botanical Garden, sustainability and stewardship are core to our mission. Choosing plants that naturally belong in our region supports wildlife, conserves resources, and helps create landscapes that thrive long-term not only here, but across our entire comminty.

Whether you garden in a backyard, balcony container, or community space, even a small patch of native plants can make a difference.

What “Native” Really Means in Wisconsin

Native plants are species that evolved in a specific region over thousands of years. In Wisconsin, that means plants adapted to our cold winters, warm summers, varying soils, and local wildlife.

These plants are part of a larger ecosystem that includes:

• Native bees and butterflies
• Birds and beneficial insects
• Soil microbes and fungi
• Seasonal weather patterns

Because they evolved together, native plants and wildlife rely on each other in ways that non-native species often cannot mimic well.

For example, many butterfly and moth caterpillars depend on specific host plants. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed. Without milkweed, monarch populations cannot survive. Similar relationships exist between native bees and regional flowers.

Planting natives helps rebuild those connections.

Supporting Pollinators Where They Need It Most

Pollinators play a critical role in both natural ecosystems and food production. But habitat loss has made it harder for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to find the plants they depend on.

Native plants provide:

• Nectar for adult pollinators
• Host plants for caterpillars
• Seeds for birds
• Shelter for beneficial insects, especially those that overwinter in Wisconsin

Even small gardens can serve as important stepping stones across developed landscapes. When multiple households plant native species, these spaces begin to connect — creating corridors of habitat across neighborhoods.

This is why the Garden has partnered with the Green Bay Conservation Corps on their Pollinator Corridor Project! Our Horticulture Team has assisted in growing and planting thousands of natives in our city’s parks the last few years, culminating in a pathway of pollinator habitats between the east and west sides.

These paradises are one of the most effective ways individuals can support biodiversity close to home.

Built for Wisconsin’s Climate

Wisconsin gardens experience dramatic seasonal swings — freezing winters, spring temperature shifts, summer heat, and periods of drought… or even flooding like we’ve seen this April! Native plants are adapted to these conditions.

Once established, many native species:

• Require less watering
• Need fewer fertilizers
• Tolerate temperature extremes
• Support soil health

They’re not just environmentally beneficial, they’re practical for home gardeners looking for sustainable, lower-maintenance options.

Biodiversity Starts in Our Own Spaces

You don’t need a large yard to make an impact. A small planting area, container garden, or corner bed can provide meaningful habitat.

Layering different types of native plants increases benefits:

• Flowers for pollinators
• Grasses for structure and nesting
• Shrubs for shelter
• Trees for long-term habitat

Together, these layers create a more complete ecosystem. This is similar to what you might find in natural prairies or woodlands across Wisconsin.

An Easy Way to Start: Pollinator Pocket Kits

If you’re interested in planting natives but aren’t sure where to begin, the Garden’s Pollinator Pocket Kits are designed to help.

Each kit includes a selection of native plants chosen to support pollinators and beneficial insects. These small plant groupings make it easy to create a pollinator-friendly space at home — no large garden required.

Whether planted in a garden bed, along a walkway, or in a small sunny corner, these pockets of habitat help provide food and shelter throughout the growing season.

Registration for Pollinator Pocket Kits is now open for Garden members. On April 22 (Earth Day!), the general public can register for their kits.

Quantities are limited, and one kit is available per household. The suggested donation is $25 and all funds will help us continue with these types of programs.

Small Changes, Lasting Impact

Native plants do more than add beauty. They support wildlife, conserve resources, and help restore balance to local ecosystems. When planted across communities, these small spaces begin to connect and create healthier environments for both people and nature.

Every garden can be part of that effort. And sometimes, it starts with just a few plants.