Although hummingbirds will visit any flower that offers nectar, there are some that don’t seem to attract them. Some flowers are pest prone, toxic to humans, or only bloom briefly. This article will tell you which flowers attract the most hummingbirds. Listed below are some flowers to plant in your yard. Hopefully, you’ll find one that is perfect for your area! But be careful – some flowers may not be ideal for your area!
Petunias
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, consider planting petunias. These flowers attract hummingbirds because they are brightly colored and offer a plentiful supply of nectar. Petunias can come in many colors, including red, yellow, orange, and purple. Petunias bloom in late spring or early summer. Petunias are drought-tolerant, but need moist soil to thrive.
After the danger of frost has passed, plant petunias in your yard. They will be ready for hummingbirds when the weather warms up in the spring. If you’re planting late, you can buy petunia plugs. Floating row covers are sheets of clear plastic that are tied around the plant. These protect the plant from insects, while still allowing light through. Marigolds are another plant to plant around petunias.
If you’re growing petunias in containers, they need enough water. Watering them once a week is sufficient. Ensure they have enough water and fertilize every two weeks. Petunias need to be protected against disease. They’re available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Some are even double, making them great for mixed-border gardens. Choose petunias that are suitable for your region.
Hummingbirds enjoy red petunias because of their sugary nectar. Purple and orange petunias are also a good choice. Petunias are also easy to grow, require little care, and bloom for a certain period of time. Despite their popularity, hummingbirds don’t like hummingbird feeders and prefer flower arrangements that don’t require much care.
Weigelas
Hummingbirds love Weigelas, and their flower color and foliage makes them the perfect choice for your garden. There are many cultivars available that produce flowers that are red or pink, some of which have both pink and white centers. If you prefer the look of a compact plant, you can opt for dwarf varieties, which are only about four feet tall. However, if you would like a full-sized plant, you can choose a weigela.
Weigelas are easy-to-grow shrubs that belong to the Caprifoliaceae family. Like their tubular cousins, they grow with a wide range of foliage and are low-maintenance. You can plant them in containers in cold climates, and they produce vibrant red summer flowers. Hummingbirds prefer plants with large, tubular blooms that contain enough nectar to sustain a single hummingbird.
Weigelas are great for attracting hummingbirds because they bloom throughout the season. They have a tubular shape and five petals. Most species of weigela have tubular flowers, which are very attractive to hummingbirds. Butterfly bush and flowering quince also attract hummingbirds, but the flowers are not as attractive as weigelas. However, weigelas are also a great choice if you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden.
Red Hot Pokers, meanwhile, are native to South Africa. The flowers of these plants usually last from May to August, although some cultivars bloom into early fall. These plants grow two to four feet high, and are suitable for sunny and partially shaded gardens. Depending on the variety, they can be aggressive, but the cultivars that you choose are politely invasive. A few species are aggressive, so be careful when selecting your plants.
Fuschias
The blooms of the Hummingbird Fuchsia are highly attractive to hummingbirds. These flowers are tubular in shape and may be pink, red, white, or lavender. They follow the nectar-producing parts of the plants with their red undersides. Hummingbirds only like to visit plants that are native to temperate climates. Whether you are looking for a great plant for hummingbirds or want to attract some colorful visitors to your home, a fuschia is the perfect plant for the job.
Fuschias need a long period of dormancy in order to bloom. Plants with flower buds first emerged about 60 million years ago, while the Magnolia family appeared only five million years after the dinosaurs went extinct. This makes the Fuchsia genus much younger than the Magnolia family. Researchers have discovered fossilized forms of both genus and species in the American Journal of Botany.
Flowering quince is another favorite of hummingbirds. This shrub is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, and can tolerate Zones three to nine. Its small, trumpet-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and are excellent for gardens with a lot of shade. This plant blooms in mid-summer, so you can expect a good display in your garden. A new generation of thorn-free varieties is now available.
Cardinal flowers
Cardinal flowers are native plants that are a favorite among hummingbirds. The bright red blooms attract hummingbirds in late summer and early fall. This plant thrives in low spots and tolerates less than ideal soil conditions. Most hummingbird plants prefer more sunlight and well-drained soil, which makes the cardinal flower a particularly good choice. The flower will naturally reseed itself.
This flower is best observed during July and August, when the water level is low enough to accommodate the blooming cardinal. The best viewing location is a partly shady area. The pond at Sandra Park often has water levels too low for the flower to bloom, but it is still possible to find this flower near the foot bridge and small island. However, be prepared to watch the flower bloom for several weeks before you see your first bloom.
The cardinal flower has a unique distribution in North America. Native to the southern plains, it grows wild in eastern, midwestern, and southern Canada. It grows as tall as six feet in rich soil, but can be hardy in dry conditions. The cardinal flower produces bright red flower spikes from late June through September. Each flower is about a half-inch wide and has five petals. The flowers last for a few weeks before they fade and are harvested.
Bee balm
The flower of Bee Balm attracts hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. Bees and butterflies love the fragrance of this flower, and if you have an abundance of it, you can grow it as a garden plant. This plant is easy to grow and maintain, and can be propagated through cuttings, seeds, and dividing the plants. Bee Balm is vulnerable to powdery mildew, so be sure to plant it in a spot where air can circulate at the base. It is also important to water the plant from the ground to prevent mildew.
Several cultivars are available. Leading Lady Lilac is a compact variety that grows to ten to fourteen inches. It is drought-resistant and can tolerate clay soil. Leading Lady Plum is the earliest blooming variety. It has a deep purple spot on its petals and blooms in early to mid-summer. You can purchase it at Burpee. It ships in spring and is one of the earliest flowering plants you can grow in your garden.
Salvia is another plant that you can grow in your garden. It grows in both sun and shade, and has fragrant, heart-shaped flowers. This plant is drought-tolerant and can bloom all summer long. The blooms of salvia are attractive to hummingbirds. The hummingbirds will be able to find a variety of nectar on these plants. Choosing plants that attract hummingbirds is essential for your yard’s pollinator health.
Zinnias
If you want your garden to be a magnet for hummingbirds, planting zinnias is the way to go. These flowers contain plenty of nectar for these nocturnal creatures. In addition, zinnias attract bees, who feed primarily on the pollen of zinnias. Hummingbirds love flowers that have a lot of pollen.
The pom-pom-shaped flower of zinnias is so attractive to hummingbirds that they don’t even need to feed on nectar to be attracted to the blossoms. While zinnias aren’t particularly aesthetically pleasing to us humans, their nutrient-rich nectar makes them an ideal food source for hummingbirds. Besides being attractive to humans, zinnias also tolerate drought and grow quickly.
The taller zinnias have more flowers. However, they are more prone to mildew. A good way to combat this is to plant button zinnias. These plants will grow to around three feet. It is advisable to purchase your seeds from a reputable seed vendor as zowie zinnias will hybridize with other zinnias. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, you must plant zinnias that have red and hot pink blooms.
Besides zinnias, hummingbirds are attracted to different plants. Planting a hummingbird-friendly variety in your yard is a good idea, as these flowers grow well in full sun. You can also plant salvia in your garden, which is a favorite of hummingbirds. However, be sure to plant salvia in your garden, as the tubular blooms are hard to get to, and they are highly attractive to hummingbirds.