Is there anything more precious than looking at your garden and see hummingbirds experimenting with your crops? we do Casa.com.br we know not. If you’ve been trying to attract these birds for some time and haven’t been able to, don’t worry: here we’ve gathered the top 10 species to bring hummingbirds to your garden.
To get started, look for flowers with rich and strong colors (Red flowers are favorites of hummingbirds), long or tapered shapes that can accommodate the long beaks of birds and abundant nectar to keep them always coming back for more.
To the native plants are always the best because the pets will be more familiar with the flowers and the plants will grow with minimal care.
Also, consider plants with a long flowering time or repeated flowering, which will provide a reliable food source for hummingbirds for many weeks. And the good news? The same plants they loved too attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Below are 10 of the best flower species to attract hummingbirds to your landscape:
Hint: diversity is important
It’s a good idea to use various plants in your garden, rather than relying on one or two species. A diverse garden will be more attractive and provide plenty of food for different species of hummingbirds during the season. spring, summer and autumn.
1. Monarda didyma
The monarda’s full tips and spherical shape make it an interesting and attractive plant in the garden – and a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. This flower normally grows two to four meters tall and requires division every three to four years. It will self-seed freely in the garden unless the flowers wither after blooming.
- Color varieties: red groups, but purple and orange also exist
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil needs: rich, medium to moist soil
2. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
A member of the Lobelia genus of flowering plants, cardinal flower is a perennial species that produces long flower stalks that reach over four feet in height. Your rich red flowers are delicate, making it attractive both as a garden plant and as a food source for hummingbirds.
It is best positioned in back of flowerbeds mixed garden. Mulching helps keep the soil moist and also prevents ice from building up in colder climates. Cardinal flowers do not require division, but they are relatively short-lived. However, they self sow freely and often colonize permanently in the garden.
- Color varieties: scarlet red; white and pink groups also available
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil needs: rich, medium to moist soil
3. Zinnia
Zinnia is among the easiest annual plants to grow, with colorful flowers that make them favorites of hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Most garden zinnias are groups of a few species in the genus Zinnia, especially Z. elegans, the common zinnia. There are literally hundreds of cultivars available, categorized into groups according to their growth habit and flower shape.
Heights range from six inches to about a meter, and flower colors are available in almost all hues.
See too
After the hummingbirds gorge themselves on the nectar, the seeds develop as the flowers mature, attracting finches and other birds who love seeds. Zinnias also make wonderful cut flowers.
They like moist soil, but can be susceptible to fungal diseases in humid conditions or when the foliage gets wet during watering. Give the plants enough space to encourage air circulation and avoid over-watering.
- Color varieties: all colors except blue and brown
- Sun exposure: full sun
- Soil needs: Moist, moist, well-draining soil
4. Sage
The sage genus within the mint family is very large, with several annual and perennial species, but common salvias grown as garden plants are usually cultivars of salvia nemarosa or Salvia Greggiialso known as autumn sage.
The tall stems of small, delicate flowers make them excellent plants for back or the center of the beds of flowers. Sage flowers appear in mid-summer and bloom through the end of the season. they will bloom repeatedly if kept moist.
This plant grows from 45 centimeters to 90 centimeters in height, does not require division and constantly increases in size over time. It is a very easy plant to grow.
- Color varieties: mauve, pink, purple, blue
- Sun exposure: full sun
- Soil requirements: dry to medium moisture, well-draining soil
5. Lamprocapnos spectabilis
A stunning plant with attractive foliage and dangling heart-shaped flowers in white or pink, the lamprocapnos spectabilis have better performance in cooler climates and lightly shaded locations.
They grow 60 to 90 centimeters tall and can be cut back for seedlings as they grow.
The foliage may turn yellow and die again in the summer heat, but the plants safely return each spring. This plant likes to moist soilbut it must also be well drained to avoid root rot.
- Color varieties: pink, white
- Sun exposure: partial shade to full shade
- Soil needs: Rich, moist, well-draining soil
6. Buddleia davidii
This flowering shrub attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies. You thick and elongated curls of flowers will bloom repeatedly from mid-summer through fall.
this is a plant drought tolerant which thrives in full sun and develops into a thick, luxurious bush over time, attracting more hummingbirds and providing great shelter for different types of birds.
Caution: A buddleia davidii is considered a invasive plant in some regions, so check with local authorities before planting. Cultivars are slightly smaller and better behaved than the main species.
- Color varieties: pink, purple, blue
- Sun exposure: full sun
- Soil requirements: medium-moisture, well-drained soil; tolerates dry conditions
7. Campsis radicans
Also called trumpet, this plant can quickly take over a small area and climb many surfaces including arbors, fences and trees. It has dense foliage and its long, tubular flowers are perfect for hummingbirds.
It does best in full sun or partial shade, but be careful with its invasive properties and aggressive growth. Frequent pruning is necessary to prevent this plant from overwhelming a garden or escaping into surrounding areas.
- Color varieties: orange, red, yellow
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: even, well-draining soil
8. Lupine (Lupinus x hybridus)
Wild lupins do not do well in home gardens, but many hybrids have been developed to become excellent, if short-lived, garden perennials. this flower of early flowering it is ideal for attracting spring hummingbirds before other flowers have appeared and when food sources for insects may still be scarce.
The plants generally grow from 1 to 1.2 meters tall with dense flower spikes, although dwarf varieties are also available. They need to be replanted every three years or so. In warmer climateslupins are often grown as annuals.
- Color varieties: purple, blue; white, pink and yellow cultivars are also available
- Sun exposure: full sun
- Soil requirements: evenly moist, well-draining soil; prefers slightly acidic soil
9. Columbine
There are several species within the Aquilegia genus that are used in the garden (eg Aquilegia canadensis, the common columbine), but even more important are the many cultivars and hybrids developed from these species.
Columbine is most often used as a border plant around fences and flower beds. It grows from a foot to a meter tall, depending on the variety. remove the stems of the flower after flowering will trigger new flowers.
- Color varieties: blue, purple, pink
- Sun exposure: full sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: even, well-draining soil
10. Petunia
Petunias are one of the most popular annual flowers as they are very easy to grow and very cheap. They work well in just about any sunny garden location and are also a favorite for pots and baskets in small spaces.
The flower thrives best in full sun and will bloom repeatedly, providing plentiful nectar for hungry hummingbirds.
- Color varieties: pink, white, red, purple, blue, mixed colors
- Sun exposure: full sun
- Soil needs: soil with regular moisture and well draining
*Via The Spruce