Your garden is a wonderful place to teach your grandkids about nature! Not only do you have the lessons regarding the garden itself, but there are plenty of learning opportunities from the wildlife your garden attracts. There are several different kinds of plants you can plant which will attract the wildlife you desire to have in your yard. Here are the things you should plant in your garden to attract and keep wildlife in your garden:

1. Goldenrod — Goldenrod is perfect for an autumn garden! It will attract many different kinds of creatures who will protect your garden like spiders. As well as birds who will feed on the seeds and the insects you don’t want in your garden.

2. Aster — These plants thrive in prairie, meadow, pasture, roadside, and woodland environments! They bloom in both spring and fall. They attract bees and butterflies with their abundant pollen and nectar, making them a wonderful choice for any wildlife garden!

3. Sunflower — The plants attract many birds and other wildlife with all of their nectar and pollen. They can be planted as both perennials and annuals.

4. Joe Pye — If you want a pollinator garden, then you want Joe Pye in your garden. With the plentiful nectar and pollen it produces, you will be attracting plenty of birds and bees into your garden to pollinate. Joe Pye is one of the best native alternatives for invasive butterfly bush!

5. Morning Glory — Research this one carefully and only plant what’s native to your area, or you’ll regret ever planting it. They can become very invasive in any garden. Check with the native plant society in your state for guidance.

6. Sedges — Planting sedges is twofold in what it does for the environment. Being a plant on the threatened list in the U.S., planting it in your garden will protect them, while also providing for wildlife. Sedges work in grassland, prairie, and woodland environments. Grasses and sedges are an essential element for wildlife in our gardens!

7. Honeysuckle — Just not the Japanese honeysuckle! Do plenty of research to ensure you are planting honeysuckle that is native to your area because there are several very invasive alien honeysuckles wreaking havoc in many ecosystems. Native honeysuckle is wonderful for hummingbirds and butterflies!

8. Lupine — You can save several endangered butterflies, such as the Karner blue, by planting lupine. Many of these endangered butterflies rely on lupine for survival. Check with your state native plant society to determine which species will be most appropriate for your garden.

9. Violets — Who doesn’t love a good violet?! Many groups of butterflies also becoming endangered, like Fritillaries, thrive on violets. These are great plants for adding early spring color to your garden!

10. Geraniums — Find a native species that will grow best in your location. Do not go with a hanging basket. Plant them and attract many different birds and insects into your garden.

These are all great plants to have growing throughout your garden to help support our ecosystem. You can even use them to help protect the rest of your garden from unwanted predators. Plus, you will get to see so much beauty in the nature of your garden! Check with your local plant society or garden center for the best species of each plant that is native to your area so you don’t end up creating more of a problem.