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

Posted on by admin
06
May

urn Your Yard into a Pollinator Paradise—Right Here in Auburn, MA

At The Farmer’s Daughter, we believe your garden should be as alive as it is beautiful. That means color, fragrance, and the gentle hum of wings as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds stop by for a visit. May is the perfect month to plant a pollinator-friendly garden that bursts with blooms and supports nature’s hardest-working guests.

Here in Central Massachusetts, our climate is just warming up, and pollinators are waking up hungry. Let’s give them something to buzz about—with these May-planted beauties that thrive in our region and make your yard a haven for helpful visitors.

🐝 For the Bees: Plant These Nectar-Rich Blooms

Bees love open, easy-access flowers in bright yellows, purples, and blues. Choose single-petaled varieties and skip the overly hybridized plants—they often lack the pollen and nectar bees need.

Best Picks for May:

  • Catmint (Nepeta) – Blooms all season long and bees can’t get enough.

  • Salvia – Both perennial and annual varieties are bee magnets.

  • Black-Eyed Susan – A late-spring staple that continues blooming into fall.

  • Bee Balm (Monarda) – True to its name, and native to the Northeast.

Pro Tip: Mix native plants with long bloom times for the most impact and easiest care.

🦋 For the Butterflies: Think Layers and Color

Butterflies are drawn to bold blooms and need both nectar and host plants for laying eggs. Add a variety of heights and continuous blooms to give them a reason to linger.

Best Picks for May:

  • Milkweed (Asclepias) – A must-have for monarchs.

  • Lantana – Drought-tolerant annual that blooms non-stop.

  • Coneflower (Echinacea) – Tall, striking, and beloved by pollinators.

  • Yarrow – Flat-topped blooms that make great landing pads.

Pro Tip: Avoid pesticides. Even organic ones can harm caterpillars and butterflies in larval stages.

🕊️ For the Hummingbirds: Bold Tubular Blooms

These tiny flying jewels seek nectar-filled, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and pink. Plant in sun-drenched spots and keep flowers coming all summer.

Best Picks for May:

  • Petunias & Calibrachoa – Gorgeous in containers and irresistible to hummingbirds.

  • Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ or ‘Black & Blue’ – Vibrant, hardy, and nectar-rich.

  • Fuchsia (for hanging baskets) – Shade-loving and perfect near porches.

  • Columbine (Aquilegia) – Early spring bloomers with the right shape for hummingbird beaks.

Pro Tip: Skip the feeders if you’re short on time. The right plants will bring hummingbirds naturally—and require less maintenance.

🌿 Design Tips: Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden in 3 Steps

  1. Layer Your Plantings – Include groundcovers, mid-height perennials, and tall bloomers for shelter and variety.

  2. Plan for Continuous Bloom – Start with May favorites, but add summer and fall options to keep pollinators fed all season.

  3. Add Extras – Flat stones for butterflies to sun on, a shallow water dish with pebbles for bees, and native grasses for habitat.

🌸 Visit Us to Get Growing

Ready to bring your yard to life? We’ve stocked our greenhouses with pollinator favorites that thrive in Auburn’s climate. Whether you’re planting a sunny border, filling a few containers, or creating a full pollinator paradise, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Stop by The Farmer’s Daughter this May—your pollinators (and your garden) will thank you.

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