These are the flowers that will attract hummingbirds to your yard.
When it comes to the garden, there are certain creatures that are more welcome than others. The mesmerizing hummingbird makes the invite list every single time.
Jessica Berrett, manager at the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point, has been watching the greenhouse closely to see what flowers are most likely to attract these beautiful buzzing birds.
Jessica decided to observe the hummingbirds in their natural habitat rather than relying on internet advice. She noticed that hummingbirds were particularly attracted to certain plants. These observations led her to develop a formula for attracting them. “These are all plants that I watched the hummingbirds go after,” Jessica said, “these were the ones that really pulled them in.”
The Color Attraction
Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. This is why hummingbird feeders are often this color. In the past, the nectar was dyed red, we found out that wasn’t a good idea. “Definitely you’re gonna want to include some red in your garden, or in your containers, if you’re trying to attract hummingbirds,” Jessica advised.
The Right Flowers
Hummingbirds are attracted to a variety of flowers. They seem to prefer salvia, which comes in many colors, including red and purple. “There are two different types of salvias, and hummingbirds love them all,” Jessica emphasized.
The shape of the flower also matters. Flowers on tall stalks and those with trumpet-like shapes are hummingbird favorites. “If you look at these flowers, they’re on tall stalks which helps the hummingbird get in and actually reach that flower,” Jessica explained.
Even though it is daisy shaped rather than trumpet shaped, Zinnia attracts hummingbirds too. This flower has a lot of nectar, so they love it.
Here are some more flowers that attract hummingbirds:
- Penstemon
- Pentas
- Russian Sage
- Canna
- Crocosmia
Jessica suggested creating a container garden with a variety of these flowers. Not only will it attract hummingbirds, but it will provide a feast for them. These flowers need a lot of sun, so be sure to put in in a sunny area.
The Benefits of Attracting Hummingbirds
Attracting hummingbirds to your garden isn’t just about getting a glimpse of them. Hummingbirds are pollinators, just like butterflies and native bees. They help plants reproduce by moving pollen from one plant to another.
Find more gardening advice from Jessica on Instagram, @plant.geek.
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