By now, you’ve probably heard about the plight of the bumblebee. Spoiler: it’s not good. 

Populations of bees (and monarchs, hummingbirds, and many other pollinator species) have been in freefall for years. The good news: since these pollinators tend to be highly mobile, even petite urban gardens can become safe havens where birds, bees, and butterflies can feed, nest, and take shelter for the winter. 

Many pollinators aren’t picky about where their nectar comes from—any old sunflower will do. But if you want to draw the species endemic to our little corner of the world, focus on native plants.

A study last year from University of California, Berkeley, found nonnative flowers tended to attract more nonnative bee species. Another recent paper from the American Society of Horticulture Science documented dozens of bee species that forage for pollen only on plants native to their same region.

So, this spring, incorporate a few native plants into your garden to support native pollinators, and to give yourself a stunning flower display in the months ahead.