As summer begins to wind down in Massachusetts, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators are still actively searching for nectar. By adding plants that continue blooming into fall, you can keep your Framingham garden colorful while providing an important food source for local wildlife.
A thoughtful combination of perennials, native plants, flowering herbs, and annuals can keep your landscape blooming and buzzing for weeks to come.
Choose Long-Blooming Perennials
Perennials provide dependable color year after year while offering valuable nectar for pollinators.
Excellent choices include:
- Coneflowers
- Black-Eyed Susans
- Salvia
- Sedum
- Bee Balm
- Asters
These garden favorites bloom for weeks and help support bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the changing season.
Add Native Plants
Native plants are naturally suited to Massachusetts growing conditions and provide valuable food and habitat for local wildlife.
Consider planting:
- New England Aster
- Joe Pye Weed
- Goldenrod
- Blazing Star
- Mountain Mint
- Native Milkweed
Native plants provide nectar, pollen, shelter, and host material for butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial insects.
Let Herbs Flower
Many culinary herbs become excellent nectar sources when allowed to bloom.
Leave a few stems unharvested on:
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Chives
- Lavender
- Mint
Their flowers attract bees while adding fragrance, texture, and beauty to the garden.
Keep Annual Color Going
Annuals offer continuous blooms and can quickly fill open spaces in beds, borders, and containers.
Pollinator-friendly choices include:
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Lantana
- Verbena
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
Regular deadheading encourages many annuals to continue flowering until frost.
Plant Flowers in Groups
Pollinators can find flowers more easily when several plants of the same variety are grouped together.
Planting in clusters also creates a stronger visual display and gives bees and butterflies an efficient place to gather nectar.
Provide Water and Shelter
Pollinators need more than flowers to thrive.
Help create a welcoming habitat by:
- Providing a shallow water source
- Leaving some perennial seed heads standing
- Including shrubs and ornamental grasses for shelter
- Adding flat stones where butterflies can rest
- Limiting pesticide use whenever possible
Even a small container garden can provide valuable food and shelter.
Plan for Continuous Blooms
The most successful pollinator gardens include plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season.
Combine:
- Long-blooming perennials
- Native flowering plants
- Blooming herbs
- Colorful annuals
- Late-season asters and goldenrod
This creates a steady supply of nectar while keeping your garden vibrant from summer into fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plants attract the most butterflies?
Coneflowers, asters, milkweed, Joe Pye Weed, salvia, zinnias, and butterfly bush are all excellent choices.
Why are native plants important?
Native plants have developed alongside local wildlife and often provide the food and habitat regional pollinators need most.
Can flowering herbs attract bees?
Yes. Basil, oregano, thyme, lavender, chives, and mint become valuable nectar sources when allowed to flower.
Should I deadhead pollinator plants?
Deadheading annuals encourages more blooms. Later in the season, consider leaving some perennial seed heads standing to support birds and beneficial insects.
Can I still plant pollinator-friendly plants?
Absolutely. Many perennials, native plants, herbs, and annuals can be planted in late summer with consistent watering while they become established.
Visit Us
Whether you are creating a new pollinator garden, adding colorful perennials, planting native species, or refreshing containers, Fran’s Flowers has everything you need to keep your landscape blooming and buzzing into fall.
Fran’s Flowers
1 Worcester Road
Between Kohl’s and Route 9
Framingham, MA 01701
Summer Hours
Monday through Saturday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday and Holidays: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Visit us and let our knowledgeable team help you choose beautiful, pollinator-friendly plants for a healthier and more vibrant garden.