Flowers, stunning outdoor containers and hanging baskets, richly perfumed flowering shrubs and fragrant herb gardens all make wonderful gifts for Mother's Day. Their beauty is undeniable, but their deeper value lies in the connection they foster with nature. By choosing plants that support local wildlife, you give mom a gift that keeps on giving throughout the season.
Pollinator-Friendly Plants for Mom
One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is watching pollinators like bees and butterflies visit plants for nectar and pollen. Selecting baskets and containers that attract these creatures adds extra enjoyment and ecological value.
Lavender: Fragrance and Pollinator Magnet
Lavender has become immensely popular for two reasons: its beautiful perfume and its ability to attract a wide range of pollinators. Hardy angustifolia lavenders are ideal for garden beds. For containers on decks or patios, newer Spanish varieties like Anouk, though less winter-hardy, bloom all summer long and constantly draw pollinators. Standard or small tree forms of lavender are especially attractive, especially when underplanted with complementary annuals such as lantanas, petunias, Angelonia, heliotrope, and zinnias, or perennials like nepeta and long-blooming Agastache or hyssop. These combinations broaden pollinator appeal and add greater texture to plantings.
Buddleias: Non-Invasive Butterfly Magnets
Though not yet in bloom, many new non-invasive and highly perfumed buddleias are excellent patio plants that attract numerous pollinators, including local butterfly species. Their constant perfume and the beneficial insects they sustain are fascinating to observe. Top varieties include Proven Winner's Pugster, Miss, and Lo & Behold series, as well as the Darwin Chrysalis series, which offers a wide range of colours. All are compact, ideal for containers, and beautifully fragrant.
Attracting Hummingbirds
Hummingbird attraction has become a major gardening trend. Many plants help draw them in: narrow-tubed fuchsias and perennial or annual blue salvias are good choices, but the best attractor is the hardy annual cuphea. This cigar plant, with its long, narrow, orange tubes of nectar, is the number one hummingbird magnet. Proven Winner's variety called Vermillionaire is the most effective. Use cuphea in hanging baskets and containers on the deck for constant attraction and a reliable food source.
Fuchsias are also excellent candidates for brightening shady spaces, adding colour and charm.
Bird Baths and Shade Trees
Shallow bird baths make a great gift for year-round enjoyment. They provide a vital water source for both birds and pollinators. Watching these garden visitors is delightful, but it's important to keep the water shallow and slightly muddy for the safety of small species.
If mom has a sunny deck or patio, a reasonably sized container with a small tree that lives year-round is a welcome gift. Such trees help cool patios and decks in summer heat and provide much-needed screening and privacy.
By choosing plants that support pollinators and wildlife, you give mom a living gift that connects her to the natural world, offering beauty, fragrance, and endless fascination.
