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Plant These in May to Attract Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds

Posted on by sunrise-saltbox

Your Garden Can Buzz, Flutter, and Hum All Summer Long

Pollinators bring your garden to life—and planting with them in mind means more than just beauty. May is the perfect time to create a pollinator-friendly space that supports bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds while keeping your garden full of motion, color, and joy.

At Salt Box Nursery, we’ve stocked our benches with the best nectar-rich blooms, vital host plants, and bold, showy flowers that pollinators can’t resist. Here’s what to plant now for a vibrant, living garden:

Nectar Plants: Fuel for the Flyers

These blooms are brimming with sweet nectar and bloom from spring through summer, offering ongoing food for pollinators.

  • Salvia – A hummingbird favorite with long bloom times.

  • Bee Balm (Monarda) – Fragrant and bold, irresistible to bees and butterflies.

  • Catmint (Nepeta) – Long-lasting lavender-blue flowers loved by bees.

  • Zinnias & Lantana – Annuals with punchy colors and continuous blooms.

  • Coneflower (Echinacea) – Easy to grow and a magnet for native pollinators.

Host Plants: The Secret to Butterfly Life Cycles

Don’t forget the importance of host plants—those leafy green sanctuaries where butterflies lay their eggs and caterpillars grow.

  • Milkweed (Asclepias) – Essential for Monarchs; we carry both native and showy varieties.

  • Parsley, Dill & Fennel – Perfect for Swallowtail caterpillars.

  • Violets – Host plants for fritillaries.

Salt Box Tip: It’s okay to let a few leaves get chewed. That’s the magic in action!

Showy Pollinator Picks for Maximum Appeal

Want curb appeal and pollinator traffic? Choose varieties that do double duty.

  • Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Bright, cheerful, and native.

  • Coreopsis – Long-blooming with daisy-like charm.

  • Phlox paniculata – Fragrant clusters that glow in the evening.

  • Penstemon – Tubular flowers hummingbirds adore.

Design for Movement and Bloom Time

Layer heights and stagger bloom times for a dynamic garden that supports pollinators from spring through fall. Even a small sunny bed or container can provide a crucial food source.

Stop by Salt Box Nursery—we’ll help you choose the perfect mix of perennials and annuals to bring your garden to life with wings and wonder.

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