Hummingbirds are truly remarkable and fascinating creatures. You can attract, feed and nourish hummingbirds in your backyard with a few easy steps. Flowers, perches, insects, and water are the key ingredients to a healthy yard that will attract these amazing jewels. Read more about attracting these little birds below.
Source: oldfarmersalmanac©
Want an easy way to attract hummingbirds to your garden? Grow a hummingbird mint plant! Pollinators can’t resist these colorful tube-shaped flowers.
Planning your butterfly and hummingbird garden? Be sure to include some agastache. It’s no coincidence that a common name for agastache species is hummingbird mint. Hummingbirds visit the flower spikes in droves. Hummingbird mint is drought tolerant and thrives in well-draining moist to dry soils, where it grows up to 5 feet tall.
Agastache is native to North America, and no matter where you live in the U.S., you’re likely to find at least one species that will work for you. These members of the mint family are guaranteed magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies of all kinds. They require little care once you plant them in the right place.
Tiny tubular flowers on slender stalks grow in a variety of colors and shapes. Full sun and excellent drainage are essential for keeping plants happy. Agastache is in the same family as catnip, however, deer and rabbits leave it alone.
Bushy and studded with violet, orange, yellow, pink or blue flower spires from mid- to late summer, agastache is a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Hummingbirds register the color red very well, which is why they are drawn to bright red flowers. But hummingbirds are just as likely to visit purple blooms (and other colors) as long as they’re vibrant, tube-shaped and easily accessible.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), a North American native plant, produces spikes of flowers in late summer. This wildflower releases a sweet licorice fragrance when you brush against the leaves. You’ll want to give this 2- to 4-foot plant plenty of room to spread because it readily reseeds. This species has a wide native range, covering much of the north central U.S., and is capable of growing nearly anywhere in the country. It thrives in northern, wetter climates. In warmer climates, grow it in the cool season.
Blue Fortune anise hyssop (zones 3 to 8) is a multipurpose perennial that checks all the boxes. It’s pest resistant and drought tolerant, and it flowers for months, producing clouds of pale lavender blooms. Pair it with rudbeckia or purple coneflower for an impressive late summer display of sturdy, upright blooms that continue well into fall. Its edible leaves and flowers have the fragrance and flavor of black licorice. Steep them for an aromatic cup of tea, or add them to salads and smoothies. This plant is a magnet for late season bumblebees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Texas hummingbird mint (Agastache cana) – This native of Texas has another feature to keep in mind; some say the foliage of this plant repels mosquitoes. The crushed leaves have a minty bubblegum fragrance. Grow it in well-drained soil with regular water.
By Lori Vanover for Family Handyman©
I confess to being an extremely amateur gardener. My efforts are to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to my backyard. This year I have failed miserably. Few hummers (all male), no butterflies. By now, the yard should be a dangerous place to walk, dodging hummers thinking my red shirt is a flower, and curious Monarchs looking to find the perfect nectar plant. The weather, fierce storms and wind, the rain in deluges then nothing for 10 days ? God, please not the virus! Or maybe they have sense to stay away from us humans. Anyway, here’s hoping that July will bring a host of fluttering to everyone’s yard. Until then, this is today’s lineup:
Until next time, flower power to you all!
We’ve rounded up 16 nectar rich perennials for hummingbirds. Plants that attract these beautiful birds to your garden space. And plants that’ll invite them to return for more nectar throughout the season. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Monarda is also known as Bee Balm, Bergamot, and Oswego Tea. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to Monarda. A North American native perennial and part of the mint family. Bright colorful blooms with fragrant foliage. Bee Balm is a great attraction to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Use for making potpourri or herbal wreaths and teas.
Raspberry Wine Monarda has berry red tubular flowers. Early formed buds resemble raspberries. Blooms from early Summer to early Fall. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part Sun and part shade to full Sun. Reaches 30 inches tall. Beneficial to pollinators. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Fragrant long blooming perennial that can be used as cut flowers too. Tolerant of clay soil and wet site conditions.
Balmy Rose Monarda has bold rose pink flowers. Blooms from late Spring to midSummer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun to mostly sunny. Reaches 10 to 12 inches tall. Beneficial to pollinators. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Long blooming perennial that can be used as cut flowers too. Tolerant of clay soil and wet site conditions.
Balmy Pink Monarda has spiky pink flowers, similar to the finale of a fireworks display. Blooms from late Spring to midSummer. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun to mostly sunny. Reaches 10 to 12 inches tall. Beneficial to pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Long blooming perennial that can be used as cut flowers too. Tolerant of clay soil and wet site conditions.
Rose Mallow Hibiscus has lavender pink blooms. Hibiscus Rose mallow blooms are 7 to 8 inches wide with ruffled petals and a cherry red eye. Blooms from midSummer to early Fall. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Topping out between 40 to 48 inches. Attracts hummingbirds. Deer resistant. A densely compact shrub-like North American native. Rose Mallow is part of the Summerific series.
Salvia is also known as Meadow Sage. A tried and true perennial. Ideal for dried or cut flower arrangements. Produces an intense show of color over the Summer months. Pollinators are drawn to Salvia floral spikes. Performs best in full Sun. Deer resistant.
Midnight Model Salvia has vibrant-blue flower spikes with lush foliage. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Forms a dense mounding growth habit. Grows in zones 3 to 8 in mostly sunny to full Sun. Reaches 22 to 24 inches tall. Beneficial to pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Long blooming perennial that can be grown in containers. Ideal for cut flowers. Tolerant of sandy soil conditions. Plant on a slope or bank. Tolerant of hot dry site and seaside/salt conditions. Hybridized at Walters Gardens.
Pretty in Pink Salvia has bright lavender pink flowers with lush foliage. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Grows in zones 3 to 8 in mostly sunny to full Sun. Reaches 18 to 20 inches tall. Beneficial to pollinators, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Long blooming perennial that can be grown in containers. Ideal for cut flowers. Tolerant of sandy soil conditions. Plant on a slope or bank. Tolerant of hot dry site and seaside/salt conditions. Hybridized at Walters Gardens.
Bumbleblue Salvia has intense violet blue flowers with deep green foliage. Blooms early to mid Summer. Grows in zones 3 to 8 in mostly sunny to full Sun. Reaches 12 to 14 inches tall. Beneficial to pollinators. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Long blooming, petite perennial that can be grown in containers. Ideal for cut flowers. Tolerant of sandy or clay soil conditions. Plant on a slope or bank. Tolerant of hot dry site and seaside/salt conditions.
Phlox is also known as a garden phlox. Considered the perennial garden “backbone”. Phlox provides unrivaled flowering over the Summer months. Crisp colors and fragrant blooms. Makes excellent cut flower bouquet. A great selection for colder climates.
Orange Perfection Phlox has salmon orange blooms. Blooms late Summer to early Fall. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full Sun. Reaches 36 inches tall. Fragrant perennial attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. A long blooming perennial that can be used for cut flowers.
Cosmopolitan Phlox has bright pink blooms. Blooms from mid Summer to early Fall. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full Sun. Tops out at 12 to 16 inches tall. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Long blooming fragrant perennial that can be used as cut flowers. Tolerant of sandy and clay soil conditions. Mid-Summer color at its best.
Cloudburst Tall Cushion Phlox has lavender purple flowers with bright pink eyes. Foliage has dark green leaves. Blooms in the Summer. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full Sun. Reaches 26 to 28 inches tall. Fragrant long blooming perennial. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Mounding growth habit and native North American perennial. Plant Cloudburst in garden borders, containers, or in mass plantings. Use as cut flowers.
Agastache is known as Hyssop or Hummingbird Mint. Blooms are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Goldfinches are drawn to the seeds. Scented foliage can be used to flavor drinks. Plant in a garden border or in a container.
Firebird Agastache has nectar rich filled blooms that are fiery coppery, orange-coral in color. Foliage is a striking gray-green. Blooms early Summer to early Fall. Grows in zones 6 to 10 in mostly sunny to full Sun. Reaches 2 to 3 feet tall. Beneficial for pollinators. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. Long blooming fragrant perennial. Plant in garden beds or in containers. Tolerant of hot dry garden sites.
Rosie Posie Agastache has bicolor masses of hot-pink flowers with magenta-purple calyxes. Foliage is bright-green minty aromatic. Blooms from early Summer to early Fall. Grows in zones 6 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 18 to 22 inches tall. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Deer resistant. Plant in garden beds and borders. Once established, tolerant of drought conditions.
Source: findingseaturtles.com
