B A C K YA R D

BIODIVERISTY
A guide to creating wildlife-friendly and
sustainable gardens
By: Kenia Ampuero
This guide will help create gardens and living areas that require fewer resources
to maintain. Your gardens can be enjoyed all year round while providing local habitat for
biodiversity and helping you reduce food cost by
having access to fresh produce right outside your door.
The following sections provide a guide to vegetables, flowers, fruits and herbs you
can include in your garden to attract specific types of animals to help you become a wild
life gardener and increase biodiversity in your backyard.

Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Supports Biodiversity
Growing vegetation in your backyard
increases the beauty of your property.
It also creates spaces for animals like
birds, bees, butterflies and insects to
live in, helping bring back biodiversity
to your neighborhood.

Gardening can help you
connect to nature and
increases your happiness
and well-being.

What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is all the living things around
us: the different species of plants,
animals and microorganisms on Earth.

1

Why should we care about Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the foundation for life on Earth and for the essential
services provided by ecosystems. These services help maintain a
healthy planet for us to live on.
Ecosystem services
»» Production of oxygen for us to breathe
»» Providing us with clean water
»» Pollination of crops and flowers

What is pollination?
It is the process in which insects, birds, bees,
butterflies, and the wind take the pollen from
flowers to help them reproduce and have more
plants.

“What are you taking
my pollen for?”
“I use it to
make new plants!”

Every species plays a specific
role in a balanced natural
ecosystem
so
protecting
every species is important.

2

Threats to Biodiversity
»» Building more houses,
buildings, and cities
»» Loss of the habitat where
animals live
»» Pollution
»» Bringing species that do
not belong to the area
»» Over using resources such
as forests, rivers, oceans
»» Destructive practices, such
as over fishing
»» Lack of education/
awareness

Why create a wildlife friendly
garden?
There are many benefits to
attracting biodiversity to your
backyard
»» It adds beauty to your
property
»» Species pollinate plants,
giving you more plants in
your yard
»» Species control garden pe
sts
»» Species maintain good soil
condition
»» Seeing and hearing birds,
bees, and butterflies help
reduce stress and improve
our health.
Selecting a range of plants that provide flowers or
fruit throughout the year, will increase the number
of species that visit your garden providing food ,
medicine and other resources.

3

Attracting Biodiversity
Why are pollinators important?
Pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies are vital to maintaining
the health of an ecosystem and are essential for plant reproduction.
One third of the food we eat, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and
beans need to be pollinated before we can eat it. Without pollinators we
wouldn’t have food to eat.

85%
plants
exists
because of bees
Bees
1/3 of all food we eat
depends on pollinators

Butterfly

More than 100 types of
crops are pollinated by
bees in U.S.-including the
clover and alfalfa that
feed our cows

Hummingbird

4

Meet Your Pollinators!
Bees

You can attract bees by planting:
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»

Wildflowers
lavendar
Mint
Sage
Rosemary
Thyme
Bee Balm
Catnip
Fennel
Sunflowers

M

ost effective pollinator. It keeps your
garden, vegetables, and fruits growing
strong. The more diverse your garden is, the
better it will support different bee species, as
well as other beneficial insects and animals
that are attracted to the beauty and plant
variety of your backyard.			

When gardening to attract bees, keep in
mind these tips!
»» Plant flowers with a single row of petals,
such as Marigold, Sunflowers, Zinnias, and
Roses.
»» Plant yellow, white, blue and purple
flowers as these colors attract bees.
»» Plant fruits and vegetables that produce
fragrant flowers and fruit that are
attractive to bees. Some can be berries,
melons, squash, cucumbers, and fruit
trees, especially cherry trees.

Butterfly

B

utterflies add beauty to your
garden and also help in pollinating
your flowers.If you want to attract
butterflies to your yard, make sure you
have vegetation that serves the needs
of all the life stages of a butterfly, from
caterpillars to adults. A good go to plant
for this can be milkweed or parsley.
These types of plants are called “host
plants” and they act as a food source for
the caterpillar stages.

5

Tips for attracting butterflies
»» Plant host plants to provide butterflies
with the nectar and vegetation they
need as adults and caterpillars.
Butterflies are attracted to flowers that
are red, pink, purple, or yellow and
that have sweet scents.
»» Plant flowers in the sun: plants should
receive full sun from mid-morning to
midafternoon.
»» Say no to insecticides: use companion
planting to manage pests
»» Provide a place for butterflies to rest:
place flat stones in your garden to
provide space for butterflies to rest
and lie in the sun.
»» Give them a place for puddling: place
grainy sand in a shallow pan and then
insert the pan in the soil. Keep the
sand moist.

You can attract butterflies to your
garden by planting:
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»

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Lavender
Parsley
Mint
Thyme
Dill
Bougainvillea
Cilantro
Zinnias
Fennel
Common rue

Birds
Tips for attracting birds

Benefits of attracting birds to your
garden:
»» They act as pest Control. Say goodbye
to insecticides! Birds act as a natural
pesticide by eating pests, including
aphids, mosquitoes, spiders and other
bugs that can attack your garden.

Incorporate sunflowers, zinnias,
marigolds, asters or purple coneflowers
to attract american goldfinches,
cardinals, finches, chickadees and
titmice

»» To attract pollinators such as
hummingbirds, plant flowers with
sweet nectar and that are pink, red,
orange, or purple. Some of these
can be: honeysuckle, nasturtium,
»» They act as weed Control.Some birds
hibiscus, or cardinal flowers.
such as, finches, towhees and sparrows
»» In the fall, avoid cutting down all
eat the weed seeds, helping control
the dead stalks in your garden beds.
unwanted plants.
Birds will seek out the remaining
»» They help in wildlife conservation.
seeds all through the winter.
Cities keep expanding and reducing the
»
»
Plant fruit-bearing plants, such
habitats available for animals. If you
as, hackberries blueberries,
attract birds to your backyard, you are
mulberries, or blackberries in
providing them a home and helping in
the yard or in garden beds to
the conservation of these species.
attract mockingbirds, bobwhites,
»» They benefit your well-being. Watching
gray catbirds, indigo buntings,
birds, interacting with them, listening
woodpeckers, and scarlet tanagers.
to their natural sounds, and being
»» Having vines provide the perfect
outdoors helps reduce stress and
cover for birds. In addition, having
promotes happiness and well-being.
a pile of fallen branches, dried grass
and prunings from your shrubs can
offer cover from cats and other
predators to smaller birds and
attracts ground insects that birds
will eat as they scratch away the
leaves underneath.
»» Install birdfeeders or create space
for nesting by hanging a nest box.
»» They help pollinate flowers.
Hummingbirds that sip nectar are
efficient pollinators of garden flowers.

7

Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher in a Hackberry

Chickadee in a Marigold flower

A Red Cardinal in a nest box

Hummingbirds using a bird feeder

8

You Can Become a Wildlife
Gardener Too
It is more important than ever that we do our part to protect and create
habitats for insects, lizards, birds, butterflies and bees. With the right
plant choices and some planning, you can start your wildlife friendly
garden and support biodiversity.

Benefits of growing your
own garden

Adopt sustainable
gardening practices

»» You will save money, time and fuel
not driving to the grocery store.
»» It’s cheaper than buying food.
»» Organically grown vegetable plants
are much healthier and generally
taste better.
»» You will become more self-sufficient
and less dependent on your local
grocery store.
»» Physical activity is good for you.

»» Design to suit local conditions. Keep in
mind the Arizona weather!
»» Set aside part of your backyard for
an edible garden and enjoy fresh
vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
»» Use water-wise plants where possible,
mulching garden beds, and using
tank water for watering plants when
necessary.
»» Avoid pesticides or chemicals.
»» Recycle food and garden waste by
using a compost bin.
»» Use sustainable, locally sourced, or
recycled materials when designing
your garden. Avoid rocks, timber and
pebbles collected from the wild.
»» Use companion planting for pest
control
»» Attract beneficial insects.

9

Designing Your Yard Through Permaculture
What is permaculture?
It is the integration of animals, plants, landscape, people, and community. It combines
gardening with biodiversity in mind, edible landscaping, and plant cultivation into one lowmaintenance, self-contained and productive garden ecosystem.
In our own gardens, you should select vegetation that provides or supports some direct
yield for people (fresh food, saving money and time) while providing a habitat for local
biodiversity.
A permaculture garden provides food and medicinal crops, habitas for animals, , an
attractive appearance, and a relaxing atmosphere throughout the year that allows for
exercising and meditation which increases our happiness and well-being.

Permaculture

Animals

Plants

Community

Landscape

People

Why Choose Permaculture?
			
Benefits of Permaculture				
Reduced cost					
Increases biodiversity		
Less waste					
Self-reliance 				
No chemicals/pesticides			
Promotes Green Living		
Develops community values		
Promotes happiness and well						
being

10

Targeting pests

Spider Mites

Beetles

Squash Bugs

Aphids

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Follow these tips for pest control in your garden:
»» Watch for ants on your plants: they can be the first indication that a plant is
under attack by aphids.					
»» Without bees, broccoli, squash, apples and many other food crops would
fail; many other insects perform a service by destroying harmful insects.
Ladybugs, for instance, can help control aphids.				
»» Remove and destroy infested plants. Don’t add them to your compost pile.
Removing dead leaves, fallen fruit, and other debris that can provide refuge
for pests will help alleviate this issue.
»» Use a homemade insecticide for plants, such as salt spray, mineral oil, or
garlic spray.				
»» Plant your vegetation in different parts of the garden each year to avoid the
pest from coming back. Two of the biggest families to watch out for are the
tomato family (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant) and the squash family
(squash, pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon).			
»» Use companion planting

Most common pests:
Worms			
Japanese Beetle		
Cabbage Worm		

Scales
Leafhoppers
Mealy Bugs

12

What is Companion Planting?

P

lanting various kinds of vegetation together in close proximity so that they benefit
and help each other grow, improve yield, and fight against pests. For instance, many
flying pest insects are confused by the smell of onions, garlic, and French or Chinese
marigolds, so planting these throughout the garden helps to control pests.

Benefits of Companion Planting
»» By helping deter pests, this technique can decrease the
amount of pesticides and effort it takes to keep your garden
pest free.
»» Vegetable companion planting increases the yields of the
plants. This means you get more food from the same space.
»» Certain companion plants can attract beneficial insects that
feed on common garden pests, like aphids and caterpillars.

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Beneficial Insects That Should be
Welcome In Your Garden

Lacewing Larvae
feed on aphids. Plant dill, coriander,
fennel, tansy and dandelion.

Hover Flies
Feed on many insects, including leafhoppers and
caterpillars. Plant daisy and chamomile and mints
(spearmint, peppermint, or catnip)

Parasitoid Wasps
Ground beetles
Feed on aphids, caterpillars and grubs. Feed on ground-dwelling pests. Plant thyme, rosePlant fennel, angelica, coriander, dill, clomary, mint
vers, and rue

Don’t kill them if you
see these in your garden ,
they help keep garden
pests away!

Ladybugs
Feed on aphids. Plant garlic, dill, cilantro,
parsley, mint, chives, and marigold.

14

Mulberry

Wild Sundflower

Bougainvillea

Desert Hackberry

The tree is fast
growing, animal
f r i e n d l y, s h a d e
producing, climatically
tolerant, abundant and
diverse from an edible
perspective.

Wild sunflowers have
medicinal benefits and
can be used for cooking.
It provides shade for less
h e a t t o l e r a n t p l a n t s l i ke
l e t t u c e a n d c u c u m b e r.
Planting it near roses
or tomatoes will get rid
of aphids. Hummingbirds
also protect the flower by
e a t i n g s o f t- b o d i e d i n s e c t s
l i ke m o s q u i t o s a n d t h e
w h i t e f l y.

Bougainvillea can
be grown as a shrub
or as a vine against walls
or fences for decoration.
It is best grown in full
sun with minimal shade.
Its bright colors help
attract pollinating insects
and hummingbirds.
It also has medicinal
value by helping with
inflammations, sore
throat, and coughing.

A shrubby tree with
thick, leathery leaves
and juicy orange berries
in summer and fall that
are sweet to humans and
birds.

At t r a c t s : C a t b i r d s ,
Cardinals, Purple
Grackles, Crested
F l y c a t c h e r s , Wo o d p e c ke r s ,
Pigeons, Silkworks, and
Insects.

At t r a c t s : i n s e c t s , b e e s ,
b e e t l e s , h o v e r f l y, b i r d s
(Northern Cardinal,
Lesser Goldfinch, House
Finch) and hummingbirds.

At t r a c t s : B u t t e r f l i e s ,
moths and hummingbirds,
which often distribute
pollen to nearby plants.

At t r a c t s :
Birds: Northern Cardinal,
A b e r t ’s To w h e e , B l a c kt a i l e d G n a t c a c h e r.
Butterflies: Leilia
H a c k b e r r y B u t t e r f l y,
S n o u t b u t t e r f l y.

15

Rosemary

Cilantro/
Coriander

Basil

This herb is a good
companion plant to
cabbage, beans, carrots,
broccoli, and hot
peppers. It serves as
insect control because
it repels harmful insects
such as bean beetles,
cabbage flies, cabbage
moths and carrot flies.
Rosemary needs
exposure to full sun
for the best growth. It
develops more flavorful
oils in strong sunlight
than weak sunlight.

The strong scent
of basil repels many
garden pests including
mites, aphids, and flies.

This herb can be
grown so that you
harvest in spring , fall, or
w i n t e r.
It attracts beneficial

Use it as a companion
plant for tomatoes and
lettuce, as it will repel
pests and improve their
flavor and growth.

insects, such as
lacewings, ladybugs,
hoverflies, and parasitic
wasps that help control
pests.
It is a good companion
plant for tomato,
spinach, basil, mint, and

At t r a c t s : b e n e f i c i a l
insects, bees,
hummingbirds, moths

At t r a c t s : b e e s , h e l p i n g
tomato plants to be
pollinated.

Spinach

This herb grows
better in cool
w e a t h e r, s o f o r t h e
summer plant it where it
will receive a half day of
shade.
To a v o i d p e s t s , s o m e
good companion
p l a n t s a r e c e l e r y, c o r n ,
e g g p l a n t , c a u l i f l o w e r,
and strawberries.

t a n s y.

At t r a c t s : b e e t l e s ,
centipedes, spiders,
bees, butterflies.

16

At t r a c t s : b e n e f i c i a l
insects

Arizona Grape

Oregano

This fruit is native
to Arizona and
thrives in the dry heat.
It can grow as a vine.
To r e p e l p e s t s b y u s i n g
their scent, some good
companion plants to
grape are basil, chives,
oregano, garlic, mint,
r o s e m a r y, a n d o n i o n s .
To a t t r a c t b e e s a n d
repel aphids, beetles,
and worms, plant

This herb is easy to
grow and can be used
in natural remedies to
prevent a cold or flu.
It acts as a host plant
for beneficial insects
and pollinators, which
aid in controlling garden
pests.

n e a r H y s s o p . To r e p e l
leafhoppers plant near
Geraniums.

c a u l i f l o w e r.

At t r a c t s : b e e s ,
butterflies, birds.

At t r a c t s : b u t t e r f l i e s
(Black Swallow tail),
insects (lacewings),
bees.

Lavender

L a v e n d e r ’s a r o m a
attracts pollinators.
Its flowers provide
pollen and nectar to
beneficial insects,
such as ladybugs and
lacewings, which help
i n c o n t r o l l i n g p e s t s l i ke
aphids and mealybugs.
Lavender is a companion
plant to cabbage,
c a u l i f l o w e r, a n d r u e . I t i s
also useful in deterring

It is a good companion
plant to all vegetables,
especially cabbage and

moths from around fruit
trees and it will help
repel fleas, ticks, and
mice
At t r a c t s : b u t t e r f l i e s ,
insects, bees,
hummingbirds.

17

Milkweed

A wildflower
known for attracting
butterflies. It grows
best in full sun and is
drought resistant but
needs afternoon shade.
I f y o u l i ke
hummingbirds, black and
b l u e s a l v i a w o u l d m a ke
a great butterfly weed
companion. Birds also
benefit from Milkweed
by using it as nesting
material.

At t r a c t s : M o n a r c h
B u t t e r f l y, S w a l l o w t a i l
b u t t e r f l y, b e e s ( B u m b l e B e e s
and Carpenter Bee),Birds.

Pomegrante

Grown as a tree,
shrub or espaliered

Guava

Parsley

A tree that can

This herb does well

provide shade,

in both full-sun and

Thyme

A d r o u g h t- t o l e r a n t
h e r b t h a t i s p o l l i n a t o r-

against a wall. It requires

attractive foliage, flowers,

p a r t- s u n e n v i r o n m e n t s .

f r i e n d l y. I t m a ke s a

bees for pollination so

and delicious tropical

Planting it nearby roses

good companion plant

plant near herbs or flowers

fruits. A good companion

enhances their health

because its flowers attract

that attract bees, such as

planting for this is cirtus.

and aroma. It attracts

honeybees and beneficial

d i l l , c i l a n t r o , p a r s l e y, m i n t ,

hoverflies and wasps,

insects. It also helps

basil, thyme, zinnias, and

which eat pests, such as

repel garden pests such

sunflowers.

aphids, thrips, beetles, and

as cabbage and tomato

tomato worm-horn.

worms.

To r e p e l p e s t s s u c h a s

Good companion plant to

aphids, plant near flowers

tomato, chives, peas, onion

l i ke n a s t u r t i u m , w h i c h

and chili.

attract beneficial insects,
such as ladybugs and
lacewings.
At t r a c t s : S o n g b i r d s ,

At t r a c t s : H u m m i n g b i r d s ,

At t r a c t s : B l a c k S w a l l o w t a i l

At t r a c t s : b u t t e r f l i e s ( B l a c k

Hummingbirds,

Pigeons, & Bees

c a t e r p i l l a r.

Swallow tail), insects, and

cardinals,bees

bees.

18

Dill

This herb is a good
companion plant to

Eggplant

Plant this vegetable in
r a i s e d g a r d e n b e d s t o t a ke

Lettuce

This vegetable helps
improve the texture of the

cabbage, carrots, tomatoes,

advantage of the shade the

surrounding vegetation (e.g.,

f e n n e l , a n d c o r i a n d e r. I t i s

foliage provides to the soil,

radishes will stay softer longer

recommended to plant it

w h i c h w i l l h e l p c o n s e r v e w a t e r.

in the summer). Planting

along the perimeter of your

Eggplant is a good companion

lettuce near beets, carrots,

garden. It attracts beneficial

plant to spinach as it provides

strawberries, onions, eg gplant,

insects, such as honeybees,

it shade. Catnip, grown with

tomatoes, peas, sunflowers,

hoverflies, ladybugs,

e g g p l a n t h e l p s ke e p f l e a b e e t l e s

and coriander enhances their

lacewings, parasitic wasps

a w a y. T h y m e , d e t e r s g a r d e n

g r o w t h . To f i g h t o f f p e s t s b y

and the Swallowtail butterfly

m o t h s . G r e e n b e a n s ke e p a w a y

attracting beneficial insects,

caterpillars. It also acts as

the Colorado potato beetle,

such as lady beetles, lacewings,

a natural insect repellent

reducing the use of pesticides

damsel bugs, flower fly

against aphids, cabbage

on eggplants. Plant it near

mag gots, and parasitic wasps

l o o p e r, s p i d e r m i t e s , a n d

peppers, potatoes and tomatoes

plant lettuce near herbs. In

squash bugs.

to enhance flavor and growth.

addition, chives, garlic, and
marigold are good companion
plants to lettuce as they repel

At t r a c t s : b u t t e r f l i e s , i n s e c t s ,

At t r a c t s : b u t t e r f l i e s ( B l a c k

aphids.

bees.

Swallow tail), insects, bees.

At t r a c t s : b e n e f i c i a l i n s e c t s ,
birds

19

Nasturtium

This edible flower is best
grown in full sun to partial

Marigold

M a r i g o l d ’s s c e n t c a n d e t e r
pests, such as beet leafhoppers,

Zinnias

The bright color of this flower
attracts and benefits pollinators,

shade. Planting it near cucumber

Mexican bean beetle, and nematodes

such as bees and butterflies. The

and squash improves their flavor

by concealing the smell of other

Monarch butterfly uses Zinnias for

and growth. Its strong smell can

v e g e t a b l e s n e a r b y. I t a l s o a t t r a c t s

food and an eg g-laying habitat.

mask the scent of the vegetables

beneficial insects, such as ladybugs,

T h i s f l o w e r ke e p s a w a y t o m a t o

a r o u n d i t . T h i s m a ke s i t d i f f i c u l t f o r

hoverflies, and parasitic mini-wasps

worms and cucumber beetles.

pests, such as squash bugs, pumpkin

that prey on garden pests.

Planting zinnias near cauliflower

and cucumber beetles, aphids, and

It can enhance the growth of basil,

will attract ladybugs, which eat the

potato bugs, to attack. Nasturtium

b r o c c o l i , c a b b a g e , c u c u m b e r,

surrounding pests. It also attracts

also attracts hoverflies, which will

eggplant, kale, potatoes, squash,

predatory wasps and hover flies,

eat aphids from roses or your other

roses, beans, lettuce, and tomatoes.

which eat insects that destroy

vegetables.

Plating it near melons and

garden plants. They also attract

Plant near: apples, beans, cabbage,

asparagus, deters beetles and their

hummingbirds, which eat whiteflies

potatoes, pumpkins, radishes,

roots act as a natural pesticide

before those flies can damage

c a r r o t s , c e l e r y, z u c c h i n i s .

producing a chemical that kills pest

tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes.

of many vegetables.
At t r a c t s : i n s e c t s , b e e s ( b u m b l e b e e ) ,

At t r a c t s : b u t t e r f l i e s , b e n e f i c i a l

At t r a c t s : b e e s , b u t t e r f l i e s

insects

(Monarch), moths, hummingbirds

hummingbirds.

20

Prickly Pear

Mint

T h i s p l a n t ’s j u i c y f r u i t a t t r a c t s

This herb grows best in full

birds in the summer and its

sun to partial shade. It blooms

flowers attract butterflies and other

f r o m J u n e - S e p t e m b e r.

pollinating insects. Its bloom time

It attracts predatory wasps and

falls between May-June. It works

parasitoid flies, such as hover flies.

well in garden beds.

It also helps deter flea beetles,

To e n c o u r a g e t h e p r e s e n c e o f

aphids and other pests from kale,

b e n e f i c i a l i n s e c t s , l i ke p a r a s i t i c

r a d i s h , c a b b a g e , c a u l i f l o w e r,

wasps, to aid in pest control plant

tomatoes, roses, chili, and eggplant.

near dill, chervil, cilantro, and
fennel. Nasturtiums also helps in
c o n t r o l l i n g p e s t s l i ke a p h i d s b y
attracting them to their own flowers.
At t r a c t s : T h e We s t e r n T i g e r
At t r a c t s : G a m b e l ’s q u a i l , C u r v e -

Swallowtail, The Anise Swallowtail,

b i l l t h r a s h e r, T h e Tr u p i a l b i r d , G i l a

Pale Swallowtail, Painted Ladies,

w o o d p e c ke r, d o v e s , m o c k i n g b i r d s ,

R e d A d m i r a l , We s t C o a s t L a d y,

B l a c k- c h i n n e d h u m m i n g b i r d , Ve r d i n ,

Gray Hairstreak Butterflies, bees,

C a c t u s Wr e n , b u t t e r f l i e s , b e e s .

hummingbirds, and beneficial
insects.

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