A thriving garden isn’t just beautiful to look at — it’s alive with the movement of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other important pollinators. In Massachusetts, creating a pollinator-friendly garden is one of the best things you can do for your local environment and for the health of your own plants. This spring, if you’re thinking about refreshing your beds or starting something new, consider adding pollinator plants to your North Shore garden. A quick trip to Nunan’s Garden Center will show you just how many stunning options are available.

Pollinators are essential for helping plants reproduce. Without them, many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers we enjoy would struggle to grow. By planting varieties that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, you not only support these important species but also increase your own garden’s productivity. Luckily, many of the best pollinator plants are easy to grow in Massachusetts and fit beautifully into almost any garden design.

One of the classic choices for a pollinator garden is bee balm. With its vibrant red, pink, or purple flowers, bee balm is a magnet for hummingbirds and native bees. It thrives in sunny spots and rewards gardeners with a long bloom season. Milkweed is another must-have if you want to support monarch butterflies. These iconic insects rely on milkweed plants as the only place to lay their eggs, and the blooms are highly attractive to other pollinators as well.

Lavender is another favorite for Massachusetts gardeners. Its fragrant purple spikes are beloved by bees and provide a drought-tolerant option once established. Planting lavender along walkways or near sitting areas not only benefits pollinators but fills your garden with a soothing scent throughout the summer. Coneflowers, often found at local garden centers in a rainbow of colors, are a top choice for both their beauty and their ability to draw pollinators. Their large, daisy-like blooms offer an abundant food source from mid-summer into fall.

Black-eyed Susans are another North Shore staple. These cheerful yellow flowers not only brighten up beds but are incredibly hardy and low-maintenance. Their nectar attracts bees and butterflies, and once the blooms fade, the seed heads provide food for birds. Butterfly bush, as the name suggests, is another popular option for attracting a wide range of pollinators. Look for newer, non-invasive varieties when you visit your garden center to make sure you’re planting responsibly.

Choosing a variety of pollinator plants that bloom at different times throughout the season ensures there’s always something available for pollinators to feed on. Early spring blooms help pollinators emerge from hibernation, while late-blooming plants sustain them into the fall. A diverse, layered garden with overlapping bloom times is not only more beautiful but also far more beneficial to local wildlife.

When shopping for pollinator plants at your favorite garden center this spring, be sure to look for native species whenever possible. Native plants are best adapted to Massachusetts’ climate and provide the exact type of nectar and pollen that local pollinators need. Many garden centers on the North Shore now carry special sections dedicated to native plants, making it easier than ever to create a truly pollinator-friendly space.

Adding pollinator plants to your spring garden is one of the simplest ways to make a positive environmental impact while also enjoying a more colorful and lively backyard. Whether you have a sprawling landscape or just a small patio filled with containers, even a few well-chosen plants can make a huge difference.

This spring, when you head out to your local North Shore garden center to stock up for the season, consider picking up a few bee balm, milkweed, lavender, and coneflowers. Your garden will buzz with life, and you’ll be doing your part to keep Massachusetts’ pollinator populations thriving for years to come.