🐝 How to Build a Pollinator Paradise This Spring

Create a haven for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—right in your backyard!

At Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery, we believe a beautiful garden is one that buzzes with life. And there’s no better way to kick off your spring planting than by creating a welcoming habitat for pollinators. From early-blooming perennials to nectar-rich flowering shrubs, the choices you make in your garden now can provide critical food sources for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all season long.

🌸 Why Spring is Key for Pollinators
Early spring can be a tough time for pollinators. As they emerge from winter, they need immediate access to nectar and pollen—but many gardens haven’t started blooming yet. That’s where you come in! By planting the first wave of pollinator-friendly flowers now, you’re giving these essential creatures a head start on the season and supporting a healthier ecosystem.

🌿 Top Early-Blooming Perennials Pollinators Love
These dependable early bloomers not only thrive in spring’s cool start but also attract pollinators from the moment they awaken:

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) – Speckled leaves and bell-shaped flowers that hummingbirds and bees adore.

Creeping Phlox – A carpet of color that draws in early bees.

Columbine (Aquilegia) – Intricate blooms loved by hummingbirds and butterflies.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) – A favorite of early bumblebees.

Penstemon – Tube-shaped blooms irresistible to hummingbirds.

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) – A native perennial that supports early bees and butterflies.

🌳 Early-Blooming Shrubs for Lasting Impact
Add structure and long-lasting support with flowering shrubs that offer nectar and shelter:

Fothergilla – Native, fragrant, and bee-friendly.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier) – Offers nectar early and berries later.

Viburnum – Especially native types like Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood).

Spirea – Early bloomers that are butterfly magnets.

Azaleas & Rhododendrons – Hummingbirds can’t resist them!

These shrubs not only provide food—they serve as nesting sites and protection for pollinators.

🌼 Tips for a Thriving Pollinator Garden
Plant in clusters: Group the same plant together to make it easier for pollinators to find.

Choose natives: They’re better adapted to your local ecosystem and more beneficial to native pollinators.

Avoid pesticides: Even organic sprays can harm pollinators. Let nature do the work!

Provide water: A shallow dish with pebbles and fresh water offers a safe place for pollinators to drink.

Keep blooming going: Add plants that flower from now through fall to provide continuous food.

🌻 Let Donaldson’s Help You Get Growing
We’ve curated a full selection of pollinator-friendly perennials and shrubs chosen for their reliability and beauty. From early bloomers to mid- and late-season superstars, we’ll help you build a garden that buzzes, flutters, and hums with life from spring through fall.

Stop in today and ask our knowledgeable team to help you start your Pollinator Paradise—we’ll even help you map it out!

Your garden can be more than beautiful—it can be a sanctuary. Let’s plant with purpose this spring.