Transform Your Delaware County Property into a Thriving Pollinator Paradise That Supports Local Wildlife
As environmental consciousness grows throughout Pennsylvania in 2025, homeowners in Delaware County are discovering the powerful impact of pollinator-friendly landscaping on local ecosystems. With pollinators responsible for roughly one of every three bites of food eaten across the world, and Delaware crops including watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, cantaloupes, apples, blueberries, cranberries, squash and pumpkins depending on these vital species, creating habitats that support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects has never been more critical.
The Urgent Need for Pollinator Habitats
Bees and other pollinators are in trouble around the world, with the National Park Service reporting that pollinators are declining due mainly to habitat loss, competition from invasive species, pesticides, climate change and disease. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is participating in “Parks for Pollinators,” a national campaign focused on raising awareness about the current pollinator crisis through programs in 35 states, highlighting the widespread nature of this environmental challenge.
In Delaware County, Pennsylvania, this crisis is particularly relevant as about 80% of all flowering plants and over three-quarters of the staple crop plants that feed humankind rely on animal pollinators. Many insect and bird species can only survive when their host plant is available, and there is an alarming decline in birds that rely on these plants to raise their young.
Why Native Plants Are Essential
Native plants have been proven to be four times more attractive to pollinators than non-natives, making them the cornerstone of effective pollinator-friendly landscaping. By using indigenous plant species, you will have more success in creating a pollinator garden and attracting a diverse assemblage of insect pollinators. Indigenous species have evolved and are adapted to Delaware’s climate and soils, and the insects that visit these species know them well because they have co-evolved with them.
Creating a native plant garden with an emphasis on attracting pollinators will benefit these local populations by providing them with greater opportunities to nectar and reproduce. Not only do native plants that attract pollinators provide them with nectar from flowers, but their leafy stems are also places where insects deposit eggs. This creates a complete ecosystem that supports the entire lifecycle of beneficial insects.
Top Native Plants for Delaware County Pollinator Gardens
When planning your pollinator-friendly landscape, consider these proven native species that thrive in Pennsylvania’s climate:
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): Long-lasting, bright orange flowers and a low mounded profile make Butterfly Weed one of the most popular milkweeds. True to its name, Butterfly Weed attracts legions of butterflies
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Blooms profusely for up to two months in mid to late summer and sometimes re-blooms in the fall. The showy flowers are a favorite nectar source for butterflies, bees and myriad pollinators
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): A hallmark of prairies and meadows that provides extended blooming periods
- Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): The intricate red and yellow bell-like flowers attract a variety of pollinators. The deep nectaries are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds
There are a few families of plants that you should focus on: the pea family (fabaceae), the aster family (asteraceae), the milkweed or dogbane family (apocynaceae), and the mint family (lamiaceae).
Design Principles for Success
Creating an effective pollinator habitat requires strategic planning. Try and create a mix that blooms from spring through the summer. It’s important to provide a nectar source for insect pollinators throughout the growing season from April through October. Pollinators are more likely to find plants in gardens that provide larger drifts of color. When you purchase plants, purchase 3 or more and plant them together.
Your pollinator-friendly plants should receive full sun throughout most of the day. Butterfly adults generally feed only in the sun. However, there are shade-loving native plants that pollinators look for, too, including white wood aster and purple-node Joe Pye weed.
Professional Implementation for Lasting Results
While homeowners can tackle smaller pollinator projects themselves, comprehensive landscaping Delaware County transformations often benefit from professional expertise. DiSabatino Inc., a family-owned company serving the Delaware Valley for over 25 years, exemplifies the values essential for successful pollinator-friendly landscaping projects.
Their mission is to enhance the value of clients’ homes by creating beautiful landscapes and providing exceptional customer service every step of the way. The DiSabatino team was built on the same core values they hold true today: Integrity, trust and a true passion for exceeding client expectations. This commitment to excellence ensures that pollinator gardens are not only ecologically beneficial but also beautifully integrated into existing landscape designs.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
Most native plants require little irrigation, bloom without fertilizers, and are unlikely to become weedy. Native plant species require less maintenance such as water and soil amendments. Once the plants are established they will require little else. However, insecticides have the potential to poison or kill pollinators, making pesticide-free maintenance practices essential.
Protecting pollinator plants from excessive deer browse is another difficult challenge in many regions of Pennsylvania. Fencing and tree tubes are good ways to protect your investment in native plantings.
The Broader Impact
The caterpillars also provide food for nesting birds and their young. So native plant gardens that attract pollinators offer broad benefits to local wildlife populations. Native gardens lower maintenance costs and increase resilience while supporting local biodiversity and improving pollination for edible crops. By planting thoughtfully and prioritizing native species, Delaware gardeners can create landscapes that are beautiful, resilient, and critically important to the long-term health of pollinators and the broader ecosystem.
As we move through 2025, the creation of pollinator-friendly landscapes in Delaware County represents more than just a landscaping trend—it’s a vital contribution to environmental conservation. Whether you’re planning a small pollinator corner or a comprehensive landscape transformation, every native plant contributes to the survival of the species that sustain our local food systems and natural heritage.