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

01
May

Turn your backyard into a pollinator paradise this spring!

May is the perfect month to plant a garden that welcomes pollinators. As the weather warms and blooms begin to flourish, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are on the move—looking for nectar, shelter, and food sources. At Cropley’s Garden Center, we’ve got everything you need to support these vital creatures while creating a beautiful, vibrant garden.

Whether you’re planting a container, refreshing your landscape beds, or adding to your perennial border, here are our top recommendations:

🌼 Nectar-Rich Annuals

These bloom all summer and provide an ongoing food source for pollinators:

  • Supertunias® (Proven Winners) – Constant color, easy care, and a magnet for hummingbirds.

  • Lantana – Loves the heat, blooms like crazy, and butterflies can’t resist it.

  • Salvia ‘Rockin’ Series’ – Deep-throated blooms perfect for hummingbirds and bees.

  • Verbena – Sprawling color that attracts all kinds of pollinators.

  • Cuphea (Firecracker Plant) – Especially good for hummingbirds.

✅ Pollinator Tip: Choose a variety of flower colors and shapes to appeal to more species.

🌱 Essential Host Plants

These are critical for butterfly caterpillars to feed and grow:

  • Milkweed (Asclepias) – The ONLY plant Monarch caterpillars eat.

  • Parsley, Dill, and Fennel – Host plants for swallowtail butterflies.

  • Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) – Supports black swallowtails and native bees.

  • Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) – Host for the beautiful spicebush swallowtail.

🐛 Planting host plants is key to supporting the full pollinator life cycle—not just the winged adults!

🌸 Showstopping Perennials & Shrubs

Bring bold color and structure with pollinator favorites that return year after year:

  • Coneflower (Echinacea) – A long-blooming powerhouse for bees and butterflies.

  • Bee Balm (Monarda) – Irresistible to hummingbirds with vibrant, spiky blooms.

  • Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) – Loved by all pollinators and low maintenance.

  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) – True to its name—flower spikes loaded with nectar.

  • Catmint (Nepeta) – Early blooms and silver foliage that bees adore.

🧡 Don’t Forget Native Plants

Native plants are perfectly adapted to our climate and local pollinators:

  • Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium) – Tall, majestic, and a late-season pollinator favorite.

  • Blue Lobelia & Cardinal Flower – Great for bees and hummingbirds in moist spots.

 

🐝 Join the Plant a Pollinator Program

When you spend $50, you’ll receive a FREE 1-gallon pollinator plant to jumpstart your habitat. It’s our way of giving back to the planet—and your garden.

🎁 Download Our Free App & Save

New users receive $10 off a $50 purchase with promo code WELCOME when registering in the Cropley’s app. It’s the easiest way to shop, get exclusive deals, and keep track of pollinator-friendly options.

🛒 Get Growing Today

Visit us at Cropley’s Garden Center and explore our curated selection of Proven Winners®, Espoma® fertilizers, and Coast of Maine® soils—everything you need to make your pollinator garden thrive!