Attract Hummingbirds - 7 Plant Favorites

Hummingbirds are not only beautiful and fascinating, as well as elusive and funny, but they’re also wonderful pollinators! These tiny, fast-moving birds burn up a lot of calories staying in the air and are constantly feeding. In the daylight hours. It’s possible to purchase a hummingbird feeder, but the sugary water (which is often artificially colored) is not necessarily the best food for them.

These hard-working birds rely on the protein in plant pollen, so they’re much happier if there is fresh flower nectar available. Here are some perennials and annuals loved by hummingbirds that may draw them to your garden!

In addition to planting hummingbird-friendly flowers in your garden, you can create a hospitable environment for them in other ways. Eliminating the use of pesticides ensures a safe environment for pollinators.

Planting pollinator-friendly flowers in one corridor attracts more of them than in smaller separate planting areas. Shrubs and trees with plenty of small branches allow hummingbirds to perch and rest for a moment from their energetic feeding frenzies.

1. Bee Balm (Monarda) ~ Native to the Northwest and Southwest United States,
these colorful flowers are related to the mint family and, like mints, can spread
quite aggressively in the garden, so give them some space. They’re easy to
divide, though, just dig or pull up the shallow roots to keep them under control.
The herby scent and bright colors attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and
other pollinators. They like the sun and need a bit of space around them for airflow.

To prevent mildew growth on the leaves. These plants are somewhat drought-
tolerant, and don’t do well in a humid environment. Bright red ‘Cambridge

Scarlet’ and deep magenta ‘Raspberry Wine’ are popular heirloom monardas.
The newer hybrids are more compact and mildew resistant and come in a
range of colors, including reds, pinks, and purples.


2. Flowering Catmint (Nepeta) ~ With its pale purple-blue flowers and minty
scent, this hardy herb puts on a luscious show for weeks. It’s a staple in the
cottage-style garden and adds nice cool shades of blue-green foliage. Not only
beloved by cats, but it also attracts hummingbirds! The stems grow to about 2 feet tall (though some varieties are smaller and tend to hug the ground), and it’s fun to see hummingbirds sip from their tiny tubular flowers. It spreads from
the base and can be divided every 2-3 years to keep the clumps at a
manageable size.

3. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) ~ This bright red lobelia is attractive in
the garden with a long period of bloom. Though hummingbirds are more
attracted to nectar than color, they do tend to gravitate toward red flowers.
The cardinal flower is a tall, sturdy native that grows from 2 to 4 feet tall. It is
hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and likes plenty of sun to keep it blooming.

Cardingal Flower Plant

Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Lobelia comes in blue varieties as well, though hummingbirds show a slight preference for red ones.

4. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) ~ A hardy and fast-growing native vine with
brightly colored orange or red flowers, the trumpet vine is also sometimes
known as hummingbird vine. The birds love their bright conical flowers, which are easy to sip nectar from. It is considered very invasive (and is, in fact, no longer

Trumpet Vine



Available for purchase in some states that have outlawed it), but one sees
many of them growing in established gardens because their lush blooms are
so gorgeous in summer. Choose the planting location with caution and give
them a sturdy structure to climb on (such as a fence, gazebo, or free-standing
arbor). They benefit from frequent pruning. Keep an eye on them and plant
away from trees and shrubs to prevent the fast-growing vines from spreading
up into branches.

5. Larkspur/Delphinium ~ With its tall, fluffy flower spikes in bold colors, the
delphinium is a delightful presence in the cottage-style garden and makes a
nice cut flower. These perennials like loamy soil and plenty of sun. The annual
variety of delphinium is often known as larkspur and is also attractive to
hummingbirds and pollinators. These flowers come in a range of colors, from
white to pastel, pink, blues, and purples. The annual variety is smaller and can
be grown from seed. The perennial varieties can grow up to 4 feet tall! The full
blooming spikes may need support stakes.

6. Eastern Red Columbines (Aquilegia canadensis) ~ These gorgeous native
perennials produce airy, abundant blooms in mid-spring, making them a good
early-season food source for pollinators. Studies have shown that red flowering
varieties of columbines have higher sugar content than other colors, which is
good news for hummingbirds! Once established, they will reseed freely, even
producing hybrid color varieties if you have more than one color planted. They
will flower in partial shade to full sun.

7. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) ~ These wonderful shrubs sport panicles covered in
tiny fragrant flowers that attract butterflies, honeybees, and hummingbirds.
The butterfly bush is hardy to Zone 6 and benefits from being planted in a full-sun area. These flowering dynamos come in many colors, from white to pink,
blue and purple. Some newer hybrids are compact and stay below 2 feet tall,
but many buddleias will grow to 8 feet tall or taller! Trimming it back each fall
keeps it more compact; it will regenerate new branches in spring. It can also be
pruned generously once flowers begin to die back. The butterfly bush will keep
putting forth blooms throughout autumn.

 

Cardinal Flower - TN Nursery

Cardinal Flower

The Red Cardinal Flower has vibrant red blooms and tall, erect stalks. It adds color and elegance to gardens, parks, and various outdoor spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for landscapers and gardeners. The scarlet-hued Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial in the bellflower family. Its tall, nectar-filled bloom spikes attract hummingbirds and create a beautiful display in your garden. The plant's common name refers to the red robes a Roman Catholic cardinal wears.      Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a Powerful Pollinator Perennial Lobelia is native to the North and South American continents and blooms from July through September. This moisture-loving plant grows on stream banks and in low woods, marshes, and meadows across the United States. If you want to create a handsome show in your garden, Lobelia will surely delight. The plant's fiery spires yield brilliant red blooms that open gradually from the bottom to the top of their racemes. Each long, narrow, tube-shaped blossom has two flat upper petals and three lower petals at the tips. The delicate plant crown leafy 2’-4' stems, covered with shiny, lance-shaped, bright green leaves that sometimes have a bronze or reddish tint. The leaves alternate as they climb the stems, enhancing the blooms to create a lively riot of color. Add Color To Your Water Garden With Cardinal Flowers  Cardinal Flower is a favorite of gardeners who love adding bold splashes of crimson. This plant is perfect for shady woodland plots, wet meadow plantings, water gardens, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. Its long stems can add height to borders and create depth when placed in the back sections of your landscape. The blossoms are most spectacular from midsummer into fall and make excellent cut blooms. Ecology Of The Cardinal Flower Some people say Lobelia will bring hummingbirds in from the sky. The plant's blooming period coincides with the late-summer migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds traveling south to Mexico. The birds pollinate the plant by dipping their beaks into the plants' long, red tubes. The blossoms are also beautiful to swallowtail butterflies and bees, making them a wonderful centerpiece in a pollinator garden. Cardinal Flower Is A Bold Statement In Any Garden  When you want to make a bold, beautiful statement in your garden, include the Cardinal Flower in your plan and celebrate the summer season. Where Do Cardinal Flowers Grow Best  Cardinal flower grows best in soil that is moist and full of nutrients and partly shaded to fully sunny areas. It typically grows along the edge of streams, at marsh, and in borders of gardens with frequent irrigation.  How do you propagate cardinal flowers?  They can be propagated from seeds, division, or even by the basal shoots. Take seeds from the plant in midsummer or clump in early spring to propagate new plants, which a moist soil should provide for root development.  How do you care for cardinal flowers?  The soil must be moist with plenty of organic content. Deadhead to foster continued flowering and add much to maintain the moisture of the soil as well as protect the roots throughout the winter.  Can You Grow Cardinal Flowers From Cuttings  It is actually possible to propagate cardinal flowers by cuttings. Buddings should be taken from a softwood during spring, put in a moist medium, and in high humidity to promote rooting.  Is the cardinal flower easy to grow?  Yes, cardinal flowers are relatively easy to cultivate. They need moisture in the soil, and grow them in partial shade; once planted in the right habitat, there is very little required care.

Trumpet Vine - TN Nursery

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet Vine is a vigorous, deciduous woody plant known for its showy, trumpet-shaped orange or red flowers and ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It is a popular choice for covering fences and trellises. When integrated into landscaping projects, it offers many benefits, such as enhancing outdoor spaces' visual allure, ecological diversity, and functionality. This deciduous woody plant presents unique qualities that contribute to various dimensions of landscape design. One of the standout benefits of using it in landscaping is its striking floral display.   They have their place in any yard, and some produce stunning flowers that are pretty hard to ignore. Look at the trumpet vine if you've been looking for the right one. Also known as the creeper, these gorgeous plants have a wide range of purposes some may forget. Here's what these unique plants have to offer that you'll be sure to love. The Spectacular Flower Display Of Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) They produce a fabulous flower show that begins in May and lasts until about August. As the name suggests, these flowers burst out of the foliage and announce themselves with a dazzling red-orange display that coats almost all of them. No matter where they're growing, they will catch your attention once they're ready to make themselves known. Trumpet Vines Offer Vertical Decor  Finding the right plants for vertical decor can be difficult, and not everyone wants to fill their spaces with hanging plants or pots attached to the wall. This is where they come in. These gorgeous flowers easily climb up vertical decor-like trellises to provide the coverage you're looking for. They are highly durable and will increase, making them the perfect plan for those looking to cover specific areas fast without worrying too much about making mistakes that put them at risk.  Trumpet Vines Offers Erosion Control Planting Trumpet Vine can be an excellent way to reduce soil erosion, especially in sloped areas where you're concerned about the stability of particular objects or other plants. They create networks of roots that keep soil in place. They also offer different benefits for your yard, like attracting essential pollinators such as birds and butterflies and acting as a space where ants can build a habitat. If you want a plant that provides a host of benefits to the surrounding area, consider this one. Pollinators Love Trumpet Vines

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