Imagine tiny, iridescent hummingbirds zipping around your garden, sipping nectar from vibrant blooms with their long, delicate beaks. It’s an enchanting sight that many gardeners dream of attracting to their backyard oasis.
While these fascinating creatures may seem elusive, the secret to luring hummingbirds lies in selecting the right perennial plants.
By strategically planting certain flowers, you can roll out a welcome mat that beckons hummingbirds to linger and make themselves at home in your flowering sanctuary. From tubular blooms perfectly suited for their slender beaks to vibrant hues that catch their keen eyes, certain perennials are tailor-made for these tiny pollinators.
1. Tubular Flowers
These energetic aviators are drawn like magnets to tubular, trumpet-shaped flowers that provide easy access to nectar with their long, slender beaks. It’s a match made in pollination heaven – the flowers have evolved perfectly suited for hummingbird partners.
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Planting perennials with tubular blooms is a surefire way to attract these tiny buzz bombs to your garden.
Top 3 Perennial Tubular Flowers for Hummingbirds:
- Salvia/Sage (Salvia spp.)
- Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) (pictured above)
- Penstemon/Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.)
2. Bright, Jewel-Toned Colors
With eyes keener than a hawk, all types of hummingbirds are instinctively lured in by bright, jewel-toned flowers in shades of red, orange, pink and purple. These vibrant blooms scream “sweet nectar here!” amidst the green foliage backdrop.
Planting these eye-catching hues is like sending up a flare to signal your garden as a hummingbird hot spot.
Top 3 Bright Perennials for Hummingbirds:
- Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.)
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
3. Long Blooming Period
These tiny powerhouses burn through calories faster than a marathon runner, requiring a constant supply of nectar to sustain their incredibly high metabolisms. That’s why perennials with an extended bloom period are essential – they provide a reliable food source throughout the hummingbirds’ season in your region.
A succession of long-blooming perennials ensures a steady stream of these feathered visitors.
Top 3 Long Blooming Perennials for Hummingbirds:
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Hummingbird Mint (Agastache spp.)
- Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
By incorporating a variety of tubular, brightly-colored and long-blooming perennials into your garden design, you’ll create an irresistible buffet that keeps hummingbirds coming back for more all season long.
With a little planning, you can turn your yard into a buzzing hummingbird haven.
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.