Introduction to Perennial Garden Hummingbird Plants
Are you a gardener who is looking to attract hummingbirds to your garden? Are you looking for a low-maintenance way to do so? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this article is for you. In this article, we will be discussing perennial garden hummingbird plants and how they can enhance your garden's beauty while inviting hummingbirds to visit.
Top 5 Perennial Garden Hummingbird Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds
Perennial plants are an excellent investment for any garden enthusiast, as they will come back year after year. But did you know that you can also attract hummingbirds to your garden with the right plants? Here are the top five perennial garden hummingbird plants you should consider planting:
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): This plant is also known as Oswego Tea or Bergamot. It features stunning, vibrant flowers arranged in clusters, which make it an excellent addition to any garden. But more than that, hummingbirds are attracted to its bright and showy flowers, so planting this in your garden can attract these lovely birds.
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): With its unmistakable scarlet flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall, you can't go wrong with the cardinal flower. Hummingbirds love it because of its brightly colored and tubular-shaped blossoms, which fits perfectly with their long beaks.
- Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): This plant boasts beautiful bell-shaped flowers that hang above the foliage, making it a showstopper in any garden setting. It also produces nectar that hummingbirds love to feed on.
- Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris): Salvia is another great plant for attracting hummingbirds to your garden, thanks to its vibrant blue flowers that bloom in early summer and fall. It also doesn't require a lot of maintenance and does well in both full sun and partial shade.
- Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans): This plant is also known as Cow-Itch Vine, and once you see its red-orange flowers shaped like trumpets, you'll know why hummingbirds can't resist it. But be warned; it can be an aggressive grower and can take over your garden if not adequately controlled.
In conclusion, adding perennial plants to your garden is an excellent investment, not only for their perennial nature but also for their ability to attract hummingbirds. Planting bee balm, cardinal flower, columbine, salvia, and trumpet creeper are sure to bring these beautiful birds right to your doorstep. With the right care, these plants can thrive in your garden for years to come, allowing you to enjoy their beauty and the wonder of hummingbirds.
Tips for Growing and Caring for Perennial Garden Hummingbird Plants
Perennial garden hummingbird plants are an excellent addition to any garden. They are attractive to hummingbirds and provide a beautiful display of color. However, growing and caring for these plants requires some effort. Here are some essential tips to help you grow and care for your perennial garden hummingbird plants.
- Choose the Right Location: Perennial garden hummingbird plants require plenty of sunlight. Choose a location in your garden where the plants can receive at least six hours of sunlight a day. They also prefer well-drained soil with a neutral pH level.
- Watering: Water your hummingbird plants regularly, especially during hot and dry weather. Overwatering can be harmful to these plants, so be sure to let the soil dry out slightly before watering again.
- Fertilizing: Hummingbird plants do not require regular fertilization. However, applying a slow-release fertilizer in the spring can help promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
- Deadheading: Removing spent flowers, also known as deadheading, can help promote continuous blooming throughout the growing season. Be sure to remove flowers just below the base of the bloom to prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed production.
- Pruning: Pruning is not necessary for perennial garden hummingbird plants, but it can help keep the plant looking neat and compact. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
- Winter Care: Hummingbird plants are hardy, but they still require some winter care. Mulching around the base of the plant can help protect the roots from freezing. If your plant is in a container, move it indoors before the first frost.
- Pest Control: Hummingbird plants are generally pest-resistant, but they can still attract some unwanted visitors, like aphids and spider mites. Monitor your plants regularly for signs of infestation, and if necessary, treat with an organic insecticide or insecticidal soap.
- Propagation: Perennial garden hummingbird plants can be propagated through division or stem cuttings. Dividing the plant every few years can help control its size and promote healthy growth. Stem cuttings should be taken in the early summer when the plant is actively growing.
By following these tips, you can enjoy beautiful and thriving perennial garden hummingbird plants in your garden. Remember to choose the right location, provide proper watering and fertilizing, deadhead spent flowers, and protect your plant during the winter months.
How to Design a Hummingbird Garden with Perennial Plants
If you've decided to create a hummingbird garden with perennial plants, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your garden is a success for both you and your winged visitors. Here are some tips:
- Choose the Right Location: Hummingbirds need easily accessible food sources. While they can fly long distances, they do not like to expend too much energy doing so. So, choose a location that is easily visible and accessible to both you and the hummingbirds.
- Select the Right Plants: Select a mix of perennials that bloom at different times throughout the season. This ensures a long-lasting food source for the hummingbirds. Additionally, choose plants with tubular-shaped flowers, as these are the ones that hummingbirds prefer. Some perennial plants that are popular among hummingbirds are bee balm, cardinal flower, columbine, coral bells, delphinium, and salvia.
- Create Variety: Hummingbirds like variety in their diet, so try and mix in plants with different colors, shapes, and nectar content to attract a broad range of hummingbirds.
- Design for Sunlight: Most perennials require full sun, but some can tolerate partial shade. Be sure to design your garden accordingly to ensure that each plant gets the correct amount of sunlight that it requires.
- Provide Water: Hummingbirds need water not just for drinking but also for bathing. Consider adding a small fountain or a bird bath to your garden to provide a source of clean water for your feathered guests.
- Maintain Your Garden: Once your hummingbird garden is established, it will require regular maintenance. Be sure to fertilize, water, and prune your plants regularly to ensure their continued health and longevity.
By following these tips, you can create a hummingbird garden that not only provides a beautiful and peaceful space for you to enjoy but also a valuable food and habitat source for your winged visitors.
Companion Planting with Perennial Garden Hummingbird Plants
Companion planting is a gardening technique where you plant different plants together, which complement each other and create a mutually beneficial relationship. When it comes to perennial garden hummingbird plants, companion planting takes on a new level of importance. These plants need a healthy environment to thrive, and companion planting is a great way to achieve it.
Here are some companion plants that will help your perennial garden hummingbird plants to bloom beautifully:
- Bee balm: Bee balm is a bright red, pink, or purple flower that is loved by hummingbirds and bees alike. It is a natural choice for companion planting with perennial garden hummingbird plants. It attracts pollinators and helps your main plant thrive.
- Salvia: Salvia is a member of the mint family, and it is a long-blooming perennial with tall spikes of flowers. The flowers are tubular and come in a range of colors. Salvia is a well-known hummingbird plant that attracts these beautiful birds to your garden. It also helps your main plant to grow by providing beneficial pollinators.
- Liatris: Liatris is a tall, spiky plant with distinctive purple flowers. It is highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Liatris is a great companion plant for perennial garden hummingbird plants as it attracts pollinators and adds a bold, colorful statement to your garden.
- Monarda: Monarda, also known as bee balm or bergamot, is a beautiful perennial plant with red, pink, or purple flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. It is a known hummingbird plant that will attract these birds to your garden. It also helps to repel pests and provides a tasty herb for cooking.
- Echinacea: Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a lovely perennial plant with daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It is a popular hummingbird and butterfly plant and adds color and texture to your garden. Echinacea is also known for its immune-boosting properties.
Companion planting with perennial garden hummingbird plants is an important step towards creating an environment that is healthy and sustainable for your plants and the wildlife that visits them. By choosing the right companion plants, you can attract pollinators, repel pests, and add a splash of color to your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions about Perennial Garden Hummingbird Plants
Few things are more delightful than viewing a hummingbird landing on your garden flowers. These frequently asked questions about perennial garden hummingbird plants will help you understand how to attract these feathered beauties with the perfect flowers.
- What are some popular perennial garden hummingbird plants?
- How do I plant hummingbird plants in my garden?
- How often should I water my perennial garden hummingbird plants?
- How do I prune my perennial garden hummingbird plants?
- When is the best time to fertilize my hummingbird plants?
- How to attract hummingbirds to the garden?
There are various popular plants that can attract hummingbirds to your garden. A few of the favorites include Salvia, Bee balm, Butterfly bush, and Cardinal flower.
Hummingbird plants can be easily grown from seeds, bulbs, or plants. Make sure the area you are planting them in has well-draining soil, which can be enriched with organic compost. Keep an appropriate distance between each plant, which differs based on what you are planting. Your nursery can help you figure out exact spacing. Ensure that they get the right amount of sunlight based on what you plant and water them as much as necessary, particularly when they're getting established.
Plants need at least one inch of water each week, especially during hot and dry weathers. It's preferable to water them in the morning and at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to certain diseases.
Pruning can extend new growth and improve the looks of the plant while keeping it healthy. You can remove foliage and deadhead flowers from late spring by using sharp garden scissors to clip just above the next healthy branch. In the winter, cut the dead foliage down to the ground to allow fresh growth next season.
You must fertilize your plants in early spring or late fall, which helps them prepare for winter dormancy or spring growth. Choose an organic fertilizer that will add nutrients without burning the roots. Follow the instructions on the package closely to ensure that your plants are getting the proper amount of nutrients.
Hang a hummingbird feeder in your garden and fill it with sugar water. You can also install a shallow bird bath or fountain, complete with small rocks for perching, that they can drink and bathe in. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright, warm colors, such as red or orange, so consider growing bright-colored plants, particularly ones with tube-like flowers that provide easy access to nectar.
Learning about hummingbird plants can be a wonderful way to enhance your garden and invite in hummingbirds to enjoy. With these frequently asked questions, you can plant and grow the best flowers to attract these delightful birds.
