Create a haven for pollinators with colorful blooms and thriving plants from Copia Home & Garden.
There’s a certain joy that comes with seeing a hummingbird hover at a flower, a monarch butterfly drifting through your garden, or bees buzzing from bloom to bloom. At Copia Home & Garden, we believe these moments make gardening magical—and they start with planting the right things, at the right time.
May is prime time to plant for pollinators in our area. The soil is warming up, the risk of frost has passed, and nurseries (including ours!) are brimming with nectar-rich perennials, flowering shrubs, and native trees that provide food and shelter for your favorite flying visitors. Whether you’re starting a new bed or tucking plants into containers, here are some top picks to add beauty and support pollinators all season long.
🌸 Perennials That Keep the Buzz Going
Perennials are the heart of a pollinator-friendly garden. Once planted, they return year after year—bigger, better, and busier with bees and butterflies.
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Echinacea (Coneflower) – A native favorite! Long-blooming and vibrant, echinacea feeds bees in summer and birds in fall.
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Monarda (Bee Balm) – Hummingbirds love it, and bees can’t resist its fragrant, shaggy blooms. Choose bright reds, purples, and pinks.
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Asclepias (Milkweed) – Essential for monarch butterflies. It’s both a food source and a host plant for their caterpillars.
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Salvia – Spikes of purple, pink, or blue that provide long-lasting nectar for hummingbirds and pollinators from May into fall.
🌿 Shrubs That Pull Double Duty
Flowering shrubs offer structure and sustenance. These are especially helpful in creating pollinator corridors through your yard.
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Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet) – Late-summer blooms with a sweet scent that bees adore. Grows well in moist or shady areas.
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Viburnum – Many varieties bloom in May, providing nectar early in the season and berries for birds later on.
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Spiraea – A tidy, low-maintenance shrub with clusters of flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
🌳 Trees That Feed the Future
Don’t forget the trees! Flowering trees offer early blooms and nesting space for birds and insects alike.
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Crabapple – Spring blossoms that provide pollen for bees and fruit for birds in the fall.
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Redbud – Striking magenta blooms that arrive just as the season wakes up.
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Serviceberry (Amelanchier) – One of our favorite all-season natives. Flowers for bees, berries for birds, and brilliant fall foliage.
🌼 Designing for Pollinators
You don’t need a meadow to make a difference. Just follow a few simple rules:
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Plant in clusters – Group 3 or more of each plant together to create a visual “beacon” for pollinators.
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Aim for continuous bloom – Choose plants with staggered flowering times to provide nectar from spring through fall.
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Avoid pesticides – Even “natural” sprays can be harmful. Let your garden be a safe haven.
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Add water – A shallow birdbath or small dish with stones gives bees and butterflies a place to sip.
🌱 Let Us Help You Grow for Good
At Copia Home & Garden, we’re here to help you choose the best plants for your garden—and for the pollinators who make it thrive. Whether you’re shopping for sun or shade, clay or loam, big yards or small spaces, we’ve got the knowledge and the plants to make your pollinator garden come to life.
Stop by this May and ask us about creating a pollinator-friendly garden that’s just right for you. Your local ecosystem—and your future self—will thank you.
