12 Plants To Attract Humming Birds To Your Yard And Why You Should Want Them Around!
Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating and delightful visitors you can invite into your garden. Their iridescent feathers, rapid wing beats, and unique ability to hover mid-air make them a joy to watch.
But beyond their beauty, hummingbirds play a crucial role in pollination, helping your garden thrive. If you’re looking to attract these tiny aviators, here are twelve plants that will make your yard a hummingbird haven.
Why Attract Hummingbirds?
Before diving into the plant list, let’s explore why you want hummingbirds in your garden:
- Pollination: Hummingbirds are excellent pollinators, moving pollen from one flower to another as they feed. This helps plants reproduce and maintain biodiversity.
- Pest Control: They eat small insects and spiders, which are a great protein source and help keep your garden pest-free.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The sight of hummingbirds flitting from flower to flower adds vibrant life and energy to your garden.
- Educational Opportunities: Observing hummingbirds can be a great way to learn about bird behavior and the ecosystem.
Red Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Why They Love It: This vigorous climber produces bright red, trumpet-shaped flowers that are perfect for a hummingbird’s long beak and tongue.
Care Tips: Plant in full sun to partial shade and ensure it has a strong support to climb on. It’s a hardy plant that thrives in most soil types.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Why They Love It: Known for its fragrant and vibrant red, pink, or purple flowers, bee balm is a hummingbird magnet.
Care Tips: Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Why They Love It: Salvias, especially the red and purple varieties, are rich in nectar and bloom over a long period.
Care Tips: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. They’re drought-tolerant and low maintenance.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
Why They Love It: The tubular flowers of honeysuckle provide an abundant nectar source, especially in the early summer.
Care Tips: Grow in full sun to partial shade. It’s a hardy vine that can be trained to climb trellises or fences.
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Why They Love It: The unique, spurred flowers of columbine come in a range of colors and are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds.
Care Tips: Prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. It’s a short-lived perennial but self-seeds readily.
Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Why They Love It: These hanging flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple are irresistible to hummingbirds.
Care Tips: Best grown in partial shade with consistently moist soil. Ideal for hanging baskets and containers.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Why They Love It: Its brilliant red flowers are a standout, providing a high-nectar feast.
Care Tips: Grows best in full sun to partial shade with moist, rich soil. It’s also a great choice for wet areas.
Petunia (Petunia spp.)
Why They Love It: With their wide range of colors and long blooming period, petunias are easy to grow and very attractive to hummingbirds.
Care Tips: Plant in full sun and ensure regular watering. Deadhead to keep the plants blooming.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Why They Love It: This shrub produces long spikes of flowers in various colors, attracting not just hummingbirds but also butterflies.
Care Tips: Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Prune back hard in early spring to promote vigorous growth.
Hummingbird Mint (Agastache spp.)
Why They Love It: Also known as hyssop, this plant’s spikes of tubular flowers are rich in nectar.
Care Tips: Grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established.
Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Why They Love It: Zinnias are easy-to-grow annuals that bloom all summer long, providing a steady nectar source.
Care Tips: Plant in full sun with average soil. Deadhead regularly to prolong blooming.
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Why They Love It: Its tubular red and orange flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
Care Tips: Grow in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. It’s a non-invasive alternative to the Japanese honeysuckle.
Tips for Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
- Diverse Planting: Include a variety of plants that bloom at different times to provide a consistent food source throughout the season.
- Avoid Pesticides: Chemicals can harm hummingbirds and reduce their food supply. Opt for natural pest control methods.
- Provide Water: A shallow water source or a mister can help hummingbirds stay hydrated and cool.
- Install Perches: Hummingbirds need places to rest. Small trees, shrubs, or even a clothesline can serve this purpose.
Creating a garden that attracts hummingbirds is not only beneficial for your plants but also brings a dynamic and enchanting element to your outdoor space.
By planting these twelve hummingbird-friendly plants, you’ll be offering these delightful creatures a reliable food source and enjoying their lively presence. Happy gardening!
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