Pollinators are the unsung heroes of our gardens. They bring life and movement to our yards and play a crucial role in helping plants produce fruits, vegetables, and seeds. If you’re looking to create a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden this season, May is the perfect time to get planting.
At Riva Gardens, we believe that gardening isn’t just about growing—it’s about connecting with nature. By choosing plants that support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, you can transform your garden into a lively, colorful sanctuary that benefits your local ecosystem.
Why Plant for Pollinators?
Pollinators need a diverse source of nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. As natural habitats shrink and weather patterns shift, home gardens have become an essential refuge. Planting the right mix of flowers, shrubs, and even trees helps support pollinator populations and brings dynamic color and motion to your landscape.
Top Pollinator-Friendly Picks to Plant Now
Here are some of our favorite plants you can add this May to help pollinators thrive:
🌼 Salvia (Perennial Sage)
This sun-loving perennial is a hummingbird magnet! Its tall spikes of purple, pink, or blue flowers bloom from late spring through summer, offering extended nectar sources.
🌸 Coneflower (Echinacea)
Beloved by butterflies and bees alike, coneflowers are hardy, drought-tolerant perennials that bloom throughout the summer. Plus, they provide seed heads for birds in the fall.
🌺 Bee Balm (Monarda)
With its firework-like blooms and fragrant foliage, bee balm is irresistible to bees and hummingbirds. It thrives in sunny spots and adds a bold pop of color to pollinator gardens.
🌿 Milkweed (Asclepias)
Essential for monarch butterflies, milkweed provides both nectar for adult butterflies and a host plant for their caterpillars. Choose native varieties whenever possible for the best results.
🌻 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
These cheerful golden blooms are favorites of both bees and butterflies. They’re easy to grow and naturalize well, offering long-lasting summer color.
🦋 Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
True to its name, this shrub attracts droves of butterflies with its sweetly scented flower spikes. Plant in full sun and enjoy weeks of blooms and pollinator visits.
🐝 Lavender
Aromatic and attractive to bees, lavender is as useful as it is beautiful. Use it along walkways or in garden borders to create a sensory experience for both you and the pollinators.
🌿 Agastache (Hyssop)
Agastache’s tubular blooms are a hummingbird favorite, and its spicy scent deters deer. This sun-loving perennial blooms for months, making it a reliable pollinator plant.
Planting Tips for Pollinator Success
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Group plants together to create a stronger visual and olfactory signal for pollinators. Clusters of the same plant species are more attractive than isolated specimens.
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Choose a variety of bloom times to provide nectar and pollen throughout the season—from early spring through late fall.
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Skip the pesticides. Many common garden chemicals are harmful to pollinators. Choose organic methods and natural solutions when needed.
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Include native plants. They’ve evolved alongside local pollinators and tend to be more beneficial and better adapted to your garden’s conditions.
Visit Riva Gardens for Pollinator Favorites
We’ve curated a wide selection of pollinator-attracting plants in all shapes, sizes, and bloom colors to help you build your garden with confidence. Whether you’re creating a pollinator patch, refreshing your perennial border, or simply adding a few nectar-rich containers to your patio, our team is here to help.
Let’s grow something beautiful—and beneficial—together.
🦋 Stop in this week for fresh arrivals and expert gardening advice.
