Hummingbirds serve an excellent function in the garden, as they are great pollinators of many plant species. There are many flowers that can attract hummingbirds, but some attract these flying gems better than others. If you’re looking for inspiration, below are 11 of the best plant species to attract hummingbirds to the garden.
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introduction
When choosing flowers for hummingbirds in your garden or landscape, look for flowers with bright, vibrant colors (red flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds), long or slender shapes that can accommodate hummingbirds’ long beaks, and plenty of nectar. to bring them back. .for more sips.
Also consider long- or repeat-blooming plants, which will provide a reliable food source for hummingbirds for several weeks.
The same plants that hummingbirds love will also attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
11 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to the Garden
01. Petunias (Petunia × hybrida)
Petunias are one of the most popular annual flowers because they are very easy to grow and quite inexpensive. They work well in almost any sunny spot in the garden and are also a favorite for containers, borders and baskets in small spaces.
The flower thrives best in full sun and will bloom repeatedly, making it an ideal plant for attracting hummingbirds.
- Varieties of colors: pink, white, red, purple, blue, mixed colors.
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: average humidity, well-drained soil
02. Lemon balm (Monarda didyma)
The full spikes and spherical shape of perennial lemon balm make it an interesting and attractive plant in the garden, and a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators.
This flower typically grows two to four feet tall and requires division every three to four years. It self-sows freely in the garden unless the flowers are removed after they bloom.
- Color varieties: Red, but there are also purple and orange cultivars
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil needs: rich, medium to moist soil
03. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
The cardinal flower, a member of the Lobelia genus of flowering plants, is a perennial form that produces long flower stalks up to five feet tall.
Its dark red flowers have a delicate shape, which makes it attractive as a garden plant and as a food source for hummingbirds.
It is best placed at the back of mixed perennial beds.
These plants do not require division, but are relatively short-lived perennials. However, it self-seeds freely and often permanently colonizes the garden.
- Color varieties: scarlet red; there are also white and pink cultivars
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil needs: rich, medium to moist soil
04. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias are among the easiest annual flowers to grow, with bright colors that make them a favorite of hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Heights vary from 15 centimeters to 1.2 meters and flower colors are available in almost any shade.
After the hummingbirds pollinate the flowers, the seeds develop as the flowers mature, attracting other seed-loving birds.
They like moist soil, but can be susceptible to fungal diseases in damp conditions or when the foliage becomes wet during watering.
Give these plants plenty of room to promote air circulation and avoid watering the foliage.
05. Sage (Salvia spp.)
The genus Salvia, within the mint family, is very large and has several annual and perennial species, but common salvias grown as garden perennials are usually cultivars of Salvia nemarosa or Salvia greggii, also known as of fall salvia.
Tall spikes of small, delicate flowers make salvia an excellent plant for the back or center of flower beds.
Perennial sage flowers emerge in mid-summer and bloom until late summer. They will bloom repeatedly if kept moist.
This plant does not require division and its size increases steadily over time. It is a very easy plant to grow and ideal for attracting hummingbirds to the garden.
- Color varieties: mauve, pink, violet, blue
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil
06. Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
A stunning perennial with attractive foliage and pendulous white or pink heart-shaped flowers, bleeding hearts do best in cooler climates and lightly shaded locations.
They reach a height of 60-90 cm and can be divided for transplanting when lying down. The foliage may turn yellow and die back in the heat of summer, but the plants regrow every spring.
This plant likes moist soil, but it must also be well-drained to prevent root rot.
- Color varieties: pink, white
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
- Soil needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
07. Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
True to its name, this deciduous flowering shrub attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds. The thick, elongated flower clusters bloom repeatedly from mid-summer through fall.
It is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in full sun and eventually grows into a thick, luxurious bush, attracting more hummingbirds and providing excellent shelter for different types of birds.
Caution: Buddleia davidii is considered an invasive plant in some areas, so check with local authorities before planting.
- Color varieties: pink, purple, blue
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: well-drained, moderately moist soil; drought resistant
08. Lantana (Lantana Camera)
Lantana flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their stunning red and orange hues. The ‘Sunset’ variety is a favorite, although there are over 150 different cultivars.
Lantana offers nectar in tight, round clusters of tiny, tubular flowers. The plants are known to be low maintenance and easy to grow.
However, some lantana varieties are considered invasive and can spread, so do your homework before planting.
- Plant type: Perennial in frost-free areas
- Flowering period: Abundant and continuous flowering from spring until frost.
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil needs: average, well-drained soil
09. Lupine (Lupinus x hybridus)
This early-flowering plant is ideal for attracting hummingbirds in the spring, before other flowers appear and when insect food sources may still be scarce.
The plants usually grow between one and one and a half meters in height with dense flower spikes, although there are also dwarf varieties that do not reach a meter in height.
They don’t need to be divided, but they should be replanted about every three years. In warmer climates, lupins are often grown as an annual.
- Color varieties: purple, blue; there are also white, pink and yellow cultivars
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil needs: evenly moist, well-drained soil; prefers slightly acidic soil
10. Colombian (Aquilegia spp.)
Several species of the genus Aquilegia are used as perennial garden plants (eg Aquilegia canadensis, common columbine), but the many cultivars and hybrids developed from these species are even more important.
Columbian is primarily used as a contour plant around fences and flower beds. It grows 30 to 90 cm tall, depending on the variety. If the flower stalks are removed after flowering, more flowers will be produced.
- Varieties of colors: blue, purple, pink
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil needs: average, well-drained soil
11. Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
If you’re looking for a perennial flowering vine that will attract hummingbirds to your garden, consider trumpet honeysuckle.
Its long, slender flowers are loaded with nectar and come in shades of red, orange and white.
Do not confuse this impressive vine with the very invasive Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). In contrast, trumpet honeysuckle does not spread aggressively, but it does grow quickly!
It may also be interesting to read: 9 Ideal aromatic herbs to grow in pots and growing tips.
- Growing Areas: Evergreen in places with warm winters, and may lose some of its foliage over winter in cooler (deciduous) regions.
- Flowering period: Summer and until autumn.
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