If you want your yard to be a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, consider planting a variety of flowers. Hummingbirds love the flowers of Mimosa, Lantana, and Zinnia, which thrive in heat. Other plants to consider include Mountain Laurel, gentian, and Zinnia. Learn more about the best plants for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Mimosa attracts hummingbirds
Native to the Middle East, the mimosa plant is a popular choice for colonial gardens. This tree produces clusters of pink, silky threads. Mimosa trees attract hummingbirds and butterflies because their flowers are so fragrant. Its leaves have fern-like looks. Mimosas grow in zones six to nine. During blooming season, the flowers appear at the base of twigs.
Native to dry desert climates, the Mimosa tree can easily grow in gardens, clearings, and yards. Its full pink flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which depend on native insects for nutrition. This plant is best suited to zones 6 through nine. Mimosa flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies in a variety of weather conditions, and it has long blooming stems.
Mimosa trees grow well in gardens, especially if they are kept watered. It is drought tolerant, and can survive cold weather. During droughts, you can also use an irrigation system to control the flow of water to your Mimosa tree. This will ensure that the flowers are always available for your visitors. The plants are easy to care for, too. They can survive droughts and are also easy to care for.
Lantana attracts butterflies
Lantana is a popular annual that is perfect for gardeners looking for a variety of flowers that attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. It is also low-maintenance and thrives in both hot and humid climates. The leaves and flowers are not eaten by deer and can withstand drought and heat. Hummingbirds and butterflies love the nectar-rich blossoms, making them a great choice for border edging and window boxes.
Lantana is a good plant for gardeners because it tolerates neglect and doesn’t require deadheading. It can grow to be around 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide. It is also deer-resistant and does not require staking. Some varieties of lantana attract butterflies and hummingbirds while others are not attractive to animals. There are varieties that grow to 20 inches tall and wide.
Lantana prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. It grows in a range of soil conditions, from acidic to alkaline. It can also tolerate salt. Lantana is easily available from plant catalog companies and can be planted in spring and summer. Planting them should occur once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Lantanas are rarely affected by diseases. However, the plants can suffer from powdery mildew and root rot if they are overly damp.
Zinnias are a favorite of hummingbirds
Hummingbirds and butterflies love to visit zinnias, which are annual plants that grow up to four feet tall. The colorful flowers draw hummingbirds to the garden and attract them to the flower. In addition to their attractive blooms, zinnias are great pollinators. They are best planted in moist soil, but not too wet as too much moisture will encourage disease.
The foliage of zinnias is not usually eaten by wildlife. Interestingly, zinnia flowers are often the only plants that attract butterflies. They are primarily attracted to the flower’s nectar, so their leaves and seeds do not attract predators like praying mantids. As a result, zinnias serve as dinner plates for butterflies and hummingbirds, which reduces the risk of food-induced fights.
Another common flower that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies is the petunia. These flowers are inexpensive and easy to grow. These flowers require full sun and thrive in zones three to nine. They make wonderful cut flowers and can be planted in containers, borders, and hanging baskets. Zinnias are great for hanging baskets and attract hummingbirds and butterflies during late summer and early fall.
Lantana thrives in heat
Lantanas are native to the tropics and prefer a moist soil with some drainage. Their clusters of flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and they are great for pollinating crops. Lantanas can be grown in containers, hanging baskets, or in the landscape. Depending on your hardiness zone, you can plant several varieties of lantana.
The plants can survive up to 110 degrees and still thrive in heat. Plant them where they receive part-day shade. You can also irrigate them weekly during extreme heat. Lantanas are drought tolerant, so you can grow them in areas with moderate temperatures. The plants can also tolerate high humidity, but they need a fair amount of water to remain healthy. The leaves of lantana are one of the first indicators of poor plant health. If they turn yellow or brown, it is a sign of a plant infestation.
Lantana flowers come in a variety of colors, from coral to yellow-red to white to purple and orange. The leaves can be as long as four inches and solidly colored. The plants’ leaves also have a pungent sage-like scent. Non-sterile lantana plants produce small berries when they flower. Once mature, they turn black and become woody.
Butterfly bushes
Putting together a butterfly garden is a wonderful way to introduce hummingbirds and kids to the outdoors. You want the garden to receive full sun during the daytime. Hummingbirds and butterflies enjoy the warmth of the sun, so plant your hummingbird and butterfly plants in full sunlight. Here are some of the best plants for hummingbirds and butterflies. In addition to full sunlight, consider the type of plant you choose for your butterfly garden.
Many types of Verbena attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Purpletop vervain is a favorite among hummingbirds. The flowers are small and contrasting with the green foliage of this plant. Weigelas can be trimmed to grow as a single stemmed tree or multi-stemmed shrub. They bloom in late summer and into the fall, and they turn a pretty rosy pink after they fade. While some varieties can be invasive in temperate climates, sterile cultivars are often safe to plant.
In addition to zinnias, other attractive annual plants that attract hummingbirds include salvia. This plant, which produces tubular-shaped flowers, is easy to grow from seed and comes in several different colors. It can also be deadheaded and will bloom all summer long. Another plant with large blooms is Tuberous Begonia. This plant produces flowers of various colors, including scarlet and coral.
Impatiens are a standard bedding plant
Several species of impatiens are common in gardens. Some prefer partial to full shade and others do better in sun. SunPatiens are the most effective impatiens replacement. You can find seed flats of multiple colors, and you can mix and match them to achieve the best effect. Impatiens are tolerant of partial sun and partial shade and thrive in both types of climates.
New Guinea impatiens have small, delicate flowers that make excellent bedding plants. New Guinea impatiens grow in containers and window boxes. They are variegated and have small, dense clumps. Hummingbirds and butterflies love the nectar from these flowers. And you’ll find many varieties of New Guinea impatiens on the market, too.
SunPatiens and Impatiens are similar in their growth habits and flowering time, but they require more water. Impatiens thrive in partial shade or shady conditions, while Petunias are better for full sun. They are both tolerant of shade. Impatiens don’t mind being shady or covered.
Columbine
Native to the United States, columbine attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant blooms for a month and thrives in parts of shade and full sun. Its foliage is toxic to humans, but its flowers are edible, and some species can be used as salad garnish. Crushed seeds of the columbine can be used as perfume. Native American men used to rub crushed seeds on their hands as a love charm. Hummingbirds and butterflies love the flowers of columbine, and they attract a variety of other insect life.
The flowering season of columbine depends on the region where you live. For best results, choose a part-shaded location. Alternatively, you can plant it in a shady area, so it is not too hot during the summer. To attract hummingbirds, plant red columbine, or Aquilegia canadensis, where the plants can receive part shade. If you are planting columbine for its flowers, remember to cut off the spent blooms to encourage repeat blooming.
Lilacs
In order to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden, choose plants that will attract these pollinators. Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers by scent, and the nectar they produce is highly attractive. Lilacs are among the prettiest plants around. Their flower nectar is particularly attractive to hummingbirds because of the cool color of their flowers. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, consider planting some lilac trees.
Other plants that will attract butterflies include lilacs and azaleas. These two flowering plants are best grown in partial shade or full sun. Butterfly-friendly plants include the butterfly bush and lilac. Because butterflies are very close-sighted, they prefer large clusters of a single type of flower. Bright, contrasting blooms make it easier for the butterflies to see the flowers. Flowers with a single large flower provide a good landing area and are easier for hummingbirds to extract nectar.
The flowers of geraniums are also popular with hummingbirds. The trailing variety, called ivy geraniums, can tolerate more shade and water than other plants. Designed to be planted over window boxes, these plants look great hanging from them. Another favorite is the Tuberous Begonia, which grows best in shade. Its big, showy flowers attract hummingbirds. It is also available in many different colors. Choose a variety with scarlet, coral or pink flowers.
