# Keystone Plants: The Best Way to Help Wildlife

> These native species support entire ecosystems by feeding caterpillars, specialist bees, and the birds that depend on them.
- Title: Keystone Plants: The Best Way to Help Wildlife | Shortify
- Summary: These native species support entire ecosystems by feeding caterpillars, specialist bees, and the birds that depend on them. Planting keystone native species…
- Keywords: keystone plants, native plants, wildlife gardening, biodiversity, national wildlife federation, doug tallamy, caterpillars, specialist bees, songbirds, ecoregions, oak trees, goldenrod
- Source: Birds and Blooms — https://birdsandblooms.com/gardening/gardening-basics/keystone-plant
- Author: Lauren David
- Published: 2026-09-18T18:58:30+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: keystone plants, native plants, wildlife gardening, biodiversity, national wildlife federation, doug tallamy, caterpillars, specialist bees, songbirds, ecoregions, oak trees, goldenrod
## What are keystone plants
Keystone plants have the greatest impact on wildlife and significantly increase the number and diversity of insects, birds and pollinators a garden supports.
## One tree beats many
Planting a single keystone tree benefits the ecosystem more than planting multiple non-keystone trees would.

> Planting a single keystone tree will benefit the ecosystem more than planting multiple non-keystone trees would.
## Essential for life cycles
Many keystone plants serve as larval host plants for butterflies and moths that need specific plants to survive.
## Caterpillars feed baby birds
Most songbirds rely heavily on caterpillars to feed their young. Keystone plants also provide pollen for specialist native bees.

> These caterpillars are an especially important food source for birds, as most songbirds rely heavily on caterpillars to feed their young.
## The 14 percent rule
About 14% of native keystone plants support 90% of butterfly and moth species, and 96% of terrestrial birds depend on insects to feed their babies.
## Keystone plants vary by region
A species that functions as a keystone in Eastern forests may not play the same role in deserts or Mediterranean California.
## Not all natives are equal
While all native plants contribute to habitat, keystone species support disproportionately high numbers of caterpillars and specialist bees.

> One of the most important things gardeners can understand is that not all native plants support wildlife equally.
## Start small and smart
Add keystone plants slowly. Make sure they're hardy and will fit the space once mature. Serviceberries work better than oaks in small yards.
## Track your garden's performance
With changing weather patterns, document what you grow each season and how each plant performs. You may need to adjust or try something else.
## Create soft landings
Native ground covers grown near keystone trees provide habitat for beneficial insects and moderate soil temperature during extreme weather.
## Eastern Temperate Forests
White and black oak trees host 436 caterpillar species. Blue wood aster and smooth aster support 100 caterpillar species and 33 specialist bees.
## Great Plains and deserts
In the Great Plains, bur oak hosts 253 caterpillar species. In North American Deserts, Gambel oak and scrub oak support 208 caterpillar species.
## Northern and western forests
In Northern Forests, chokecherry and black cherry host 409 caterpillar species. In Northwestern Mountains, Oregon cherry hosts 206 species.
## Key takeaway

Planting keystone native species supports far more wildlife than non-keystone plants, with just 14% of native plants supporting 90% of butterfly and moth species.