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

Posted on by admin
06
May

Bring Pollinators to Your Garden with Help from Donaldson’s in Hackettstown, NJ

If you love the buzz of bees, the flutter of butterflies, and the flash of hummingbird wings, you’re in luck—May is the perfect month to plant a pollinator-friendly garden! Here at Donaldson’s Greenhouse & Nursery, we’ve curated a beautiful selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials that not only thrive in our New Jersey climate but also serve as magnets for these beloved garden visitors.

Pollinators are essential to a healthy garden and ecosystem, and with just a few thoughtful plant choices, you can turn your backyard into a buzzing, fluttering paradise.

Why Pollinators Need Our Help

Pollinator populations—especially bees and butterflies—have been in decline due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. By planting nectar- and pollen-rich flowers, you’re giving them a vital food source and shelter. Even a small garden or a few containers can make a big difference!

Top May Picks at Donaldson’s for Pollinator Power

🌼 Perennials They Love

Perennials are the workhorses of a pollinator garden—once established, they return year after year with little effort.

  • Coneflowers (Echinacea): A butterfly favorite that thrives in sunny spots and blooms all summer long.

  • Bee Balm (Monarda): Irresistible to bees and hummingbirds, with bright red, pink, or purple blooms.

  • Milkweed (Asclepias): A must-have for monarch butterflies. We carry both native and ornamental varieties.

  • Catmint (Nepeta): Long-blooming and low-maintenance, catmint is a bee magnet with soft lavender-blue flowers.

🌳 Flowering Shrubs for Structure and Support

Shrubs provide early-season blooms and serve as shelter for pollinators.

  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleia): With fragrant blooms in every shade imaginable, this shrub lives up to its name.

  • Fothergilla: Native, deer-resistant, and covered in bottlebrush flowers that bees love in May.

  • Clethra (Summersweet): Blooms a bit later in summer but provides essential nectar for late-season pollinators.

🌺 Annuals That Keep On Giving

Perfect for pots, borders, or garden beds, annuals offer vibrant color and continuous blooms.

  • Lantana: Drought-tolerant and a hummingbird favorite.

  • Salvia: Upright spikes of purple or red that are irresistible to both hummingbirds and bees.

  • Zinnias: Bright, cheerful, and butterfly-approved. Great for cutting gardens, too!

Tips to Create a Pollinator Paradise

  • Plant in clusters: Grouping the same plant together makes it easier for pollinators to find their favorite food sources.

  • Stagger bloom times: Choose a mix of plants that flower from spring through fall to offer a continuous buffet.

  • Go chemical-free: Avoid pesticides and herbicides, which can be harmful to pollinators.

  • Provide water: A shallow dish with pebbles and fresh water gives bees and butterflies a safe place to hydrate.

Let Donaldson’s Help You Grow a Garden that Gives Back

Our staff is always ready to help you select the right plants for your sun conditions, soil, and space. We love hearing about what you’re seeing in your garden—and helping you find more of it! Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding to an existing space, we have everything you need to support pollinators this spring.

Stop in this May and let’s plant a garden that’s as good for the earth as it is for your soul.

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