Attracting hummingbirds to your yard isn’t as hard as you may think. There are plenty of annual flowers that attract hummingbirds that can provide food for these energetic fowl. Planting annuals in the garden is an inexpensive way to go, plus you can interchange your flower variety each year.
The annual flowers (bloom only one season) that are listed below come in a variety of colors and most are tubular in shape. Although red flowers will certainly grab a hummingbird’s attention quicker, keep in mind that you don’t always have to stick with red. To invite hummingbirds into the garden, try hanging some hummingbird feeders near your flower beds. Once they get a taste of the sweet nectar that the following annuals offer, they’ll stick around for more.
The annuals listed below are capable of turning perennial in hotter growing zones. Parkseed.com has nice, clear photos of these annuals so you can get an idea of what each flower looks like. Here are some annuals that will attract hummingbirds into your yard.
Calibrachoa, zones 9-11
Calibrachoa look like teeny-tiny petunias and they make hundreds of little flowers. Hummingbirds love this annual flower buffet that can trail or weep and blooms until the first frost. Plant Calibrachoa in hanging baskets, containers or beds and give them full sun with a monthly dose of liquid fertilizer. These flowers are sterile and don’t produce seeds, so Parkseed.com is a great place to find the plants. In southern areas, you can find Calibrachoa at home improvement stores.
Monarda (Bee Balm), zones 4-9
Monarda, also known as Bee Balm, is an annual flower that attracts hummingbirds. It has the potential to become a perennial in certain zones. Flowering until late summer, this plant likes to be kept moist and will do well in full sun, but will take partial shade. Expect Bee Balm to reach three feet tall and about as big around. Parkseed.com also carries these seeds and plants.
Petunias, most zones
Invite hummingbirds into your annual garden by planting brightly colored petunias, especially red ones. There are hundreds of types of petunias that emit a lovely fragrance. Fertilize these with a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks and give them full sun. Your local home improvement store will have an ample supply of these hummingbird flowers.
Penstemon, zones 3-11
Penstemon is an annual flower that attracts hummingbirds, although it can become perennial. There are some Penstemon, or Beard Tongue, that are grown as perennials in hotter areas, in which they can multiply. Give them full sun or partial shade. These trumpet-shaped flowers will bloom from spring to frost. Parkseed.com carries these flowers for hummingbirds.
Nasturtium, zones 3-9
Nasturtium, another annual flower that attracts hummingbirds. It grows well in hanging baskets or other containers. They have beautiful, big flowers and dark green foliage. These lovely flowers come in a variety of colors and will grow in poor soil. Give them plenty of sun and fertilize once a month. Parkseed.com carries Nasturtium seeds of many colors.
Resource:
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