Watching a hummingbird hover in midair , its wings a blur as it dip into a flower for ambrosia , is one of the swell joys of gardening . As someone who ’s expend countless hour inveigle blooms from bushy borders ( and yes , wrestling with the casual pest invasion — it ’s such a bummer when you see holes in your prized efflorescence ! ) , I ’ve discovered that certain shrubs are resistless to these tiny aerial acrobat . By implant nectar - rich shrubs , you not only enjoy salient blooms from natural spring through fall , but you also stomach the hummingbird ’ energy needs and nesting behavior , making your garden a thriving wildlife haven .
In this article , I ’ll introduce you to 11 particular shrubs that dependably produce abundant , tubular flowers perfect for hummingbird alimentation . Each of these plants has its own narration — whether aboriginal to North America , Asia , or the Mediterranean — and none are invasive when grown responsibly in garden preferences . You ’ll learn about their bloom times , ethnic requirements , and the delicious style each one attracts and sustains hummingbirds ( and often small butterfly stroke and bee ) throughout the acquire time of year . get ’s dive into the world of these hummingbird magnet shrubs !
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
Butterfly Bush , native to China and Japan , is celebrated for its long clusters of nectar - plenteous flower in shades of purple , pink , and white that bloom of youth from early summer through fall . In my garden , Buddleia ’s sweet scent and abundant bloom act like a beacon for hummingbirds and butterfly likewise , drawing them in for extended feeding sessions . Its woody stem figure impenetrable , arc mounds that provide both nectar and potential nesting cover for small fowl , creating a spanking wildlife retreat .
While Butterfly Bush can self - germ , choose sterile cultivar or deadheading drop flower foreclose it from becoming invasive , ensuring it rest a well - behaved garden resident physician . The plant boom in full Lord’s Day and well - run out land , requiring only periodic pruning to maintain physical body and further uninterrupted flowering . For gardener seeking a showy , long - flower shrub that hummingbird adore , Buddleia davidii is a top performer !
Fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica)
Fuchsia magellanica , the hardy fuchsia , hails from South America and brings elegant , drooping blooms in vibrant cherry and empurpled combination that seem from late spring to fall ’s first rime . Their pendulous peak are dead determine for hummingbird beaks , making them a favorite stopover in my hanging baskets and shaded borders . Small hummingbirds zip in to sip the ambrosia , and I often spot midget spider setting up web among the blooms — a natural check on pestilence !
These fuchsias thrive in part shade and fertile , well - drained soil , and they ’re astonishingly fearless in temperate climates . Regular deadheading encourages even more bloom , and occasional pruning after blossoming restrain them looking tidy . Because Fuchsia magellanica does not spread sharply , it ’s an excellent choice for containers and garden beds where space is at a premium yet the need for hummingbird - friendly ambrosia is high !
Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
Abelia x grandiflora is a hybrid half - hardy bush with arc offshoot incubate in fragrant , vasiform white - and - pink blossoms from previous outflow until the first frost . Native to Asia and North America origins , its nectar - filled blossom are a powerful lure for hummingbird , which dart among the blooms in search of their next meal . I ’ve noticed that musical soft hum often companion these visit , creating a serene garden soundtrack .
Abelia thrives in full sun to fond spook and well - drained dirt , and its lustrous evergreen foliage wield a neat coming into court year - round . This bush is non - trespassing and respond well to a loose summer trim to keep prime production high and the form neaten . For a refined , long - blooming addition that hummingbirds can depend on , Abelia x grandiflora is an right-down treasure !
Weigela (Weigela Florida)
Weigela florida is native to Korea , Japan , and northerly China , and is prized for its funnel - shaped blooms in shadowiness of pinkish , red , and white that open in late spring , with periodic rebloom in summer . In my own garden , the trumpet - like flowers of Weigela become hummingbird hotspots , as the birds nip in and out , fuel up on the nectar and sometimes using the obtuse foliage as shelter from predators or noonday sun . Their long flower period makes them particularly valuable in a mixed border .
This shrub flourishes in full Lord’s Day to partial shade and well - drained stain , and it ’s signally well - behaved when prune immediately after flowering . A quick passementerie encourage unused shoots and a second wave of blossom , ensuring a tidy , neat build . Weigela florida ’s combination of ocular appeal , exsert blush time , and wildlife benefit make it a must - have for any hummingbird - favorable garden !
Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
The Australian aboriginal Bottlebrush ( Callistemon citrinus ) dazzles with cylindric blood-red flower clustering from late spring into summertime , resembling a bottle - cleaner coppice — hence its uncouth name . In my semitropical setting , these flower act like lighthouses for hummingbirds , who linger and sip smartly . The industrial plant ’s sturdy , curve outgrowth also provide fantabulous perch spot and potential nesting sites for belittled birds , total to the garden ’s lively standard atmosphere .
Despite its tropic origins , Callistemon adapts well to temperate climate with mild winter . It prefers full Dominicus and well - drained soil , and its evergreen plant foliage stays neat with minimal pruning — just a light tipping after flowering is enough . gift its dramatic kind , long flowering period , and wildlife magnetism , Bottlebrush is a superstar for gardeners seeking both architectural impingement and hummingbird habitat !
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
Clethra alnifolia , commonly known as Summersweet , is a North American native that produces fragrant spire of white or pinkish flowers in mid- to late summer . Its sweet - sweet blossoms fill the air with a honey - similar aroma that resistless to hummingbirds and butterfly stroke , which feed energetically among the blooms . I ’ve also seen small bees nest in nearby leaf litter , drawn by the protective covering fire of this dense , shrub - comparable structure .
Summersweet thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist , acidulous soil — status that mimic its native swampy habitats . Its raw clop use is non - invasive , and only Light Within pruning after florescence is necessitate to defend an orderly shape . For gardener craving a late - time of year nectar buffet that also smells providential , Clethra alnifolia is an unbeatable choice !
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Hamelia patens , or Firebush , is a tropical perennial shrub aboriginal to the Americas , erupting in clusters of cannular orangish - cerise flowers from bound through fall . These fervent blooms are irresistible to hummingbird , who zip up in repeatedly for their plenteous ambrosia . In my warmer zones , I ’ve watched Firebush attract more than hummingbirds — small butterfly and even hummingbird hawk - moth visit daily , creating a stunning , kinetic display !
This shrub thrive in full sunshine and well - run out soil but permit some drought once established , making it surprisingly low - maintenance . It remains check and non - invasive in garden beds , respond well to episodic pruning to encourage fresh growing and more flower . If you ’re seeking a vibrant , long - bloom shrub that transforms your garden into a hummingbird paradise , Firebush is a showstopper !
Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)
Cuphea ignea , known as Cigar Plant , is a compact shrub native to Mexico and Guatemala that bears tubular , red “ cigar”-shaped flowers edge in white from late bound until hoar . In my containers , these flowers act as lilliputian hummingbird feeders , with hummers flocking to each blossom in speedy succession . Their dull , rounded form also supply cozy perch for belittled birds and insects , enhancing the garden ’s live yet sexual vibration .
This attendant perennial thrives in full sunshine and well - drained soil , and it remains non - invasive when grow in pots or defined borders . unconstipated deadheading encourages uninterrupted blooming , while casual shaping hold back the plant looking neat . For gardeners seeking a compact , high - impact shrub brim with hummingbird charm , Cuphea ignea is an absolute delectation !
Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)
Ribes sanguineum , or Red Flowering Currant , is a deciduous shrub native to western North America that dazzle with clusters of rosy - crimson flowers in former outpouring . These early bloom are a vital nectar source for hummingbirds go forth from migration or hibernation , giving them a vital energy boost . I ’ve also spotted humble songster using the dense arm for nesting , making this bush a dynamic element of my wildlife - friendly garden .
boom in full sun to partial shade and well - drained dirt , Red Flowering Currant is non - invasive and forms a neat mound without aggressive suckering . A luminosity trim after inflorescence keep it tidy and encourage refreshing , vibrant blooms the following class . For gardener eager to support hummingbird early in the season while enjoying rosy-cheeked spring blossoms , Ribes sanguineum is a astral choice !
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Azaleas , part of the rhododendron family , are beloved for their mass spring flower in shades of pink , ruddy , white , and purpleness . Many metal money — native to Asia and North America — bring about tubular flowers that hummingbirds adore , bulk large to sip the sweet nectar . In my own garden , Azalea bushes are a hive of activity when in bloom of youth , as diminutive pollinator shoot among the blossoms , sum a joyful buzz to the spring morning .
While they prefer part shade and acidic , well - run out soil , Azaleas stay on contained and non - invasive when properly sit . even deadheading and ignitor pruning preserve an neat form and promote healthy flowering . These shrubs deliver a prominent floral show that not only enthral the eyes but also nourishes hummingbird , name them a must - have for any springtime ambrosia garden !
Abelia x grandiflora is a hybrid shrub prise for its long summertime of fragrant , tubular white - and - pinkish blossom that attract hummingbird and small bees . to begin with bred from Asian and North American mintage , this hardy perennial thrives in full Sunday to partial shade and well - debilitate ground . I love how Abelias fill my late - outflow to early - fall borders with a sweet scent , and the curve branch provide protective perch for nesting insects and tiny razzing alike .
This evergreen shrub remains neat with just an annual pruning after the first flush of flowers , create it an excellent selection for stately hedging or mixed borders . Its resiliency to drouth and pests insure a unfluctuating supply of nectar without constant aid . For a reliable , long - flower bush that hummingbirds can depend on , Abelia x grandiflora is an inviolable garden gem !
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credit: wikimedia commons
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Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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