Hummingbirds are beautiful birds known for their bright colors and great flying capabilities. There are different flowers like bee balm, trumpet vine, zinnias, red hot poker, fuchsia, are liked by hummingbirds. As these plants are rich in nectar and provide food source to them throughout the year. As a hummingbird lover, creating a hummingbird-friendly garden is a good choice to attract them. But you can always remember that hummingbirds are only attracted by bright-colored flowers.
In this article, I will tell you:
- Understanding hummingbirds’ preferences
- Top flowers that attract hummingbirds
- How to create a hummingbird friendly garden
Let’s start without wasting time!
Understanding Hummingbird’s Preferences
As a hummingbird lover, it is very important to understand the preferences of hummingbirds to grow those plants that attract them.
Color Matters
Hummingbirds are very conscious about the colors of flowers which they like. So, the colors of different flowers or plants have a great role in understanding the preferences of hummingbirds.
- Bright Red and Orange: Mostly orange and red colors appeal most to the hummingbirds. These plants have blooms that are nectar-rich and easily accessed by hummingbirds.
- Pink and Purple: Pink and purple color flowers are also liked by hummingbirds, but has less attraction because hummingbirds don’t like dull colors.
- Shape and Structure: Plants having tubular shapes attract hummingbirds because they have easy access to the nectar.
Nectar Composition
Hummingbirds usually attract only those flowers that have high nectar supply. The sweetness of nectar is vital for birds including hummingbirds to gain energy and perform their life activities.
- Sugar Concentration: Flowers that have a high concentration of sugar are mostly liked by hummingbirds.
- Continuous Blooming: Secondly, plants that bloom whole year and provide continuous food to hummingbirds are included in their preferences.
Top Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds
Here I will tell you the top 10 flowers that attract hummingbirds the most.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
The scientific name of bee balm is Monarda. It is the favorite flower of the hummingbirds that attracts them.
- Color: Vibrant pink, purple and red flowers of bee balm attract all species of hummingbirds.
- Blooming Season: These flowers bloom at the end of summer, providing vast food to the hummingbirds.
- Additional Benefits: This flower also attracts different butterflies, bees etc and thus contributes to a diverse ecosystem.
Salvia
The scientific name of Salvia is Sage. They have numerous species that attract hummingbirds and provide food to them.
- Variety: The two most famous varieties are Salvia guaranitica and Salvia splendens attract most hummingbirds.
- Nectar-Rich: The above two varieties are rich in nectar production and provide food to hummingbirds.
- Drought Tolerance: Large varieties of salvias are drought-resistant, making them an ideal choice for birds to attract.
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
The scientific name of trumpet wine is Campsis radicans. This plant has a stunning display that attracts all birds.
- Flowers: The orange and red color petals of trumpet flowers attract hummingbirds. They have large flowers.
- Growth Habit: This plant requires a huge place to grow. So, if you want to attract hummingbirds by growing this plant, it is not the right choice.
- Attracts Other Pollinators: Trumpet flowers are famous for pollination. It also attracts different bees and butterflies.
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
The scientific name of coral honeysuckle is Lonicera sempervirens. It is a native plant that attracts hummingbirds.
- Color: Coral honeysuckles have bright red colored flowers that are loved by hummingbirds.
- Climbing Nature: They can easily grow along different fences. So, it is a good option to grow coral honeysuckle in the garden to attract hummingbirds.
- Wildlife Friendly: Coral honeysuckle is a wildlife-friendly plant and provides food to different pollinators.
Zinnias
Zinnias are the beautiful plants that attract all the hummingbirds.
- Variety of Colors: Zinnias have vast varieties of colors of flowers; orange, pink and red etc that appeal to hummingbirds.
- Long Bloom Time: They have a large supply of nectar during the summer to winter season.
- Easy to Grow: They are cheaper plants and have a low maintenance cost. It will increase the beauty of your garden as well as the bird’s view.
Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
The scientific name of red hot poker is Kniphofia. It is included in the list of those plants and flowers that are loved by hummingbirds.
- Unique Appearance: Red hot poker has a tubular shape providing them an appealing look.
- Nectar-Rich: They are tube-shaped and tall plants that provide easy access to nectar.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is one of the favorite plants of hummingbirds because of their drooping flowers.
- Colour Variety: The fuchsia plant is found in different colors pink, purple, bright red etc. All these colors of fuchsia plant attracts hummingbirds. If you grow fuchsia plant in your garden, it will increase the bird’s view.
- Continuous Blooming: They have a continuous blooming throughout the year providing a large nectar supply.
Penstemon
Penstemon is known as Beardtongue. It is one of the most favorite plants of hummingbirds.
- Tubular Flowers: Their flowers are tube-shaped allowing hummingbirds to easily access nectar.
- Varied Colors: This plant has different shades of pink, purple, mustard and red flowers that attract hummingbirds.
- Low Maintenance: You can increase the bird’s view, by increasing the planting penstemon in the garden as they are less costly plants.
Petunia
Petunia is one of the favorite flowers of hummingbirds. Their seeds provide a good food source for them.
- Colorful Blooms: Their blooms have different colors like purple, pink, red, mustard etc.
- Long Blooming Season: They bloom throughout the year providing a good food source.
Morning Glory (Ipomoea)
The scientific name of Morning Glory is Ipomoea. The stunning blooms of morning glories attract all birds.
- Flower’s Shape: They have trumpet-shaped flowers that are liked by hummingbirds. Their trumpet-shaped flowers are perfect for attracting hummingbirds.
- Variety of Colors: They have a variety of colors that enhance the beauty of the area as well as liked by hummingbirds.
Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
As a bird lover and caretaker, here, I will tell you how to create a hummingbird-friendly garden.
Plant Selection
Plant selection is important in attracting birds to your garden.
- Diversity: You should plant different flowers in your garden to attract hummingbirds
- Native Plants: It is better to grow only native plants, as they are more appealing and attractive to hummingbirds.
- Grouping: It is better to gather flowers of different varieties in a group.
Garden Layout
There is a great impact of the arrangement of your garden on the hummingbird’s preference to visit your garden.
- Sunny Locations: It is better to grow plants in those areas having a warmer climate and easy sun rays access.
- Water Source: You can create a water bath in your garden to attract hummingbirds and they can easily hydrate them.
- Shelter: It is better to provide shelters including small trees, shrubs etc where hummingbirds can take a rest.
Conclusion
It is a good option for the hummingbird lover to grow all the above mentioned plants in your garden to attract hummingbirds. It is an enjoyable endeavor. By choosing the right flowers according to the preference of the hummingbirds, you will create a good friendly relation with hummingbird. All these plants also provide nectar access to them that is a major food item of hummingbirds. With patience, you can easily attract hummingbirds and increase birds’ view from your garden.
If you find any problem while reading, text me in the comment box, I will reply to you soon.
Thanks for reading!
Related Articles |
- How To Remove Bird Poop From Your Car’s Paint?
- 12 Amazing Facts about Bald Eagles! – A Symbolic Representation!
- How to Take Care Of A Baby Bird That Fell Out Of Its Nest? – Easy Guide!
- How Much Sleep Does A Parrot Need? – Interesting Fact!
- Do Birds Remember Us? – Hidden Truth!
I’m Amna, and I absolutely adore birds, especially parrots. I’ve been immersed in the world of these colorful feathered friends for over 10 years. While I’m not a bird doctor, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge on how to care for and understand them.
My experiences extend to various bird species like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, canaries, and finches. In addition to my personal adventures with birds, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center.
My true passion lies in sharing what I know about parrots and birds with you. Through my articles, I aim to share the information you need to provide the very best care for your avian companions. So, let’s embark on this journey together and make your feathered friends’ lives as joyful and healthy as possible!