Perennial Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Are you looking to add some life and color to your garden? Consider attracting hummingbirds! These tiny, colorful birds are a delight to watch as they flit and flutter from flower to flower, sipping nectar along the way.

One way to attract these delightful creatures to your garden is by planting perennials that they love. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best perennial plants for attracting hummingbirds, as well as tips for creating a hummingbird-friendly garden.

Best Perennials for Attracting Hummingbirds

Here are some of the top perennials that are known to attract hummingbirds:

1. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm, also known as Monarda, is a popular choice for hummingbirds. Its brightly colored flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white, and it blooms throughout the summer months. Bee balm is also easy to grow, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners.

How to Grow Bee Balm:

Bee balm prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It can be propagated by division in the spring or fall, or by planting seeds in the fall.

2. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

The brilliant red flowers of the cardinal flower are a magnet for hummingbirds. This native perennial blooms in late summer and early fall, providing a much-needed source of nectar for migrating hummingbirds.

How to Grow Cardinal Flower:

Cardinal flower prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. It can be propagated by division in the spring or by planting seeds in the fall.

3. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Salvia, also known as sage, is a popular herb that also happens to be attractive to hummingbirds. Its tubular flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue, and it blooms from late spring through summer.

How to Grow Salvia:

Salvias prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can be propagated by division in the spring or by taking stem cuttings in the summer.

4. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Trumpet vine is a vigorous climber that produces bright orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers. Hummingbirds love these flowers, which are rich in nectar. Trumpet vine blooms in midsummer and continues blooming into fall.

How to Grow Trumpet Vine:

Trumpet vine prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be propagated by cuttings or by layering in the fall.

5. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed, also known as milkweed, is a native perennial that produces clusters of bright orange flowers. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar-rich flowers, and the plant also provides food for monarch butterflies.

How to Grow Butterfly Weed:

Butterfly weed prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be propagated by division in the spring or by planting seeds in the fall.

Tips for Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden

In addition to planting hummingbird-friendly perennials, there are other things you can do to attract these delightful birds to your garden:

1. Provide a Water Source

Hummingbirds love water, so providing a source of fresh water is a great way to attract them to your garden. This could be as simple as putting out a shallow dish of water or installing a small fountain.

2. Offer Shelter

Hummingbirds need a place to rest and take cover from predators. You can provide this by planting shrubs or trees that offer shelter and nesting sites.

3. Avoid Pesticides

Pesticides can be harmful to hummingbirds, so it's best to avoid using them in your garden. Instead, try natural pest control methods like companion planting and handpicking pests.

4. Plant for Continuous Bloom

Hummingbirds need a steady supply of nectar throughout the growing season. Planting a variety of perennials that bloom at different times will help ensure that there is always something in bloom for these birds to feed on.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often do hummingbirds need to feed?

Hummingbirds have a high metabolism and need to eat frequently. They typically feed every 10-15 minutes during the day and consume up to twice their body weight in nectar each day.

2. What should I feed hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds feed on nectar from flowers, but you can also provide them with a sugar water solution. Mix one part sugar to four parts water and place it in a hummingbird feeder.

3. When is the best time to plant perennials for hummingbirds?

Spring and fall are the best times to plant perennials for hummingbirds. Planting in the spring will give the plants time to establish before the heat of summer, while planting in the fall will allow the roots to establish before winter.

4. How can I tell if a plant is attractive to hummingbirds?

Look for plants with tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, and purple. These colors are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, as they can see them better than other colors.

5. How can I attract hummingbirds to my feeder?

Place your hummingbird feeder in a sunny spot and keep it filled with fresh nectar. You can also add a bright red ribbon or flower near the feeder to help attract the birds.

Attracting hummingbirds to your garden is a fun and rewarding experience. By planting perennials that they love and providing a few basic essentials like water and shelter, you can create a hummingbird-friendly garden that will be enjoyed by both you and these delightful birds.