Brighten your yard and support pollinators with these May must-haves
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are essential to a healthy garden—and they need our help. As natural habitats shrink and native plants disappear, home gardens have become critical feeding grounds. May is the perfect month to plant a vibrant mix of nectar-rich blooms, essential host plants, and colorful show-stoppers that will draw pollinators in and keep them coming back.
Here are our top plant picks to welcome pollinators to your garden this season:
🌸 Nectar Plants: Fuel for Pollinators on the Move
These plants produce abundant nectar that provides energy for adult pollinators.
Beebalm (Monarda)
Loved by hummingbirds and bees, beebalm bursts into vibrant reds, pinks, and purples. It’s a hardy perennial and part of the mint family—great for sunny spots.
Salvia (Perennial or Annual)
With spikes of violet, blue, or red blooms, salvia is a nectar magnet. Hummingbirds can’t resist it, and bees flock to it all summer.
Zinnias
These annuals are a butterfly favorite. Easy to grow from seed, zinnias provide long-lasting blooms through fall—and they love the heat.
Lantana
A proven winner for containers or garden beds, lantana draws all kinds of pollinators with its multi-color flower clusters and sweet scent.
🐛 Host Plants: The Nursery for the Next Generation
If you want butterflies to stay in your garden, host plants are essential—they’re where butterflies lay eggs and caterpillars feed.
Milkweed (Asclepias)
Milkweed is the only plant monarch caterpillars eat. Choose native varieties like Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) for a vibrant orange burst.
Parsley, Dill, and Fennel
These herbs are host plants for black swallowtail butterflies. Plant them in your veggie or herb garden and expect some nibbling—it’s a good thing!
Asters
Not only are asters late-season nectar sources, but they also serve as host plants for pearl crescent butterflies and other species.
🌺 Showy Pollinator Magnets: Beautiful and Beneficial
Add drama, color, and pollinator appeal with these bold varieties.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Daisy-like and drought-tolerant, coneflowers come in many colors and are a top pick for bees and butterflies alike.
Coreopsis
A native perennial with sunny yellow blooms that last for months. It’s a pollinator paradise and thrives in poor soil.
Petunias (especially Supertunias)
While not all petunias are equal, Supertunias are known to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Their vivid color and mounding habit make them great for hanging baskets and containers.
Fuchsia
A hummingbird favorite for shady spots. The dangling, tube-shaped blooms are irresistible to long-beaked pollinators.
🐝 Plant a Pollinator Paradise This May
With just a few intentional plant choices, you can transform your garden into a pollinator haven. Whether you’re working with containers, raised beds, or full garden plots, mixing nectar plants, host plants, and colorful bloomers ensures you’ll have a lively, fluttering garden all season long.
🎁 Pollinator Promo: Don’t forget—now through [insert date], get a FREE 1-gallon perennial with any $50 purchase when you use promo code pollinator25. It’s our way of saying thank you for planting with purpose.
Visit us at Town & Country Nursery or browse over 3,500 direct-ship live plants in our online shop. You’ll find Coast of Maine soils, Espoma fertilizers, Jonathan Green lawn care, and everything you need to Grow Beautifully™.
