Flowers to attract hummingbirds

Found this page that lists all the flowers to plant to attract hummingbirds: Flowers for Hummingbirds

Anyone have any experience with these?

Lee

All I can really add to this is that the 3 hummingbirds that visit my back yard do seem to prefer the big, showy flowers over the smaller flowers. I don't grow any hybrid flowers, so I really couldn't say anything about their sense of smell.

My hummers hang around my red petunias so I put those in the window boxes to enjoy the flowers with lovely scent and of course the hummers practically right on the windows. They also hang around the pink weigela bushes even though you usually think of red flowers to attract hummers. And they hang around the trumpet vines. If I sit still holding the red syrup feeder in my hands they come and buzz and do a very hi pitch beeping sound just inches from my face. It's a cheap thrill.

I have no experience with them...yet...but we chose several varieties on the list to plant in our gardens. I was looking to attract butterflies, but it looks like I might have a hummer or two visiting as a bonus!

Hummingbirds really seem to zero in on anything red...including a spray bottle (the bird actually hovered in front of my face and gave me a dirty look when he realized it wasn't a feeder!) So any red flower has an advantage. Flowers that I've grown sucessfully from that list: Texas Sage, Red Yucca, Shrimp Plant (grew in south FL), Salvia, Coral Honeysuckle, Canna (if you are in a windy area, look for dwarf), Lantana and Columbine The Firebird looks suspiciously like something we called Firecracker, which they like. A vine not on the list that they regularly go to is the Cross Vine. Lots of choices, and some are low maintenance!

I had 2 experiences with hummers. The first while I lived in Long Beach CA. I had a small patio, fenced in. All the ground apartments had one. The guy next to me had a beautiful tree and a nest with 2 baby hummers. Each time I went on the patio the mother would bombard me! It was also the first time I ever saw a hummer absolutely still.
The second was on my trip to Costa Rica. Went wen to a cloud forest and a hummingbird sanctuary. I have NEVER see so many different kinds of hummers in my life. There was even one so small, I doubt it was bigger than my thumb!
I was in Monte Verde Cloud Forest. It took us 1 hour to go 2 miles because the road up the mountain was so steep and not finished, just gravel! I don't think I breathed the whole time!


I was here!

Hope you enjoy these wonderful videos of the hummers!
I'm having a hard time stopping looking at all the youTube videos about Costa Rica, specifically, Arenal Volcano, Monte Verde Cloud Forest, etc!
Time to close up shop!
Lee

I have two pommegranite shrubs in my yard and the hummers love the red blossums.

Sassafrassy wrote:I have two pommegranite shrubs in my yard and the hummers love the red blossums.

I lived in Long Beach, CA for 4 years and it was the first time I saw a pomegranate tree. You have a pomegranate shrub? Interesting.
Lee

Lee, THANK YOU for sharing those videos! Those hummingbirds are so fascinating You must have had an amazing time seeing them in that preserve.

It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. One I will not readily forget!
Lee

I have always loved hummingbirds! My sweet Dad who lived with us in his final years used to always ask me if I knew why hummingbirds hum. Then he would tell me "because they don't know the words!" Oh, what a great guy he was!

Anyway- I get lots of these delightful little jewel toned babies with my butterfly bushes. I have 2 of them, and I get tons of hummers and butterflies. The coolest thing is when the baby hummers start coming around. I literally stand at my window and squeal (as quietly as I can so I don't scare them!) They are just priceless!

I have hummingbirds, however they really seem to prefer the perennial flowers and (gasp) weeds over the annuals that I plant that they seem to like (lantanas, petunias, snapdragons, etc.)

Anybody have any input here?  I have a "lull" in my perennial bed; irises done, early bulbs way gone, day lilies not ready, geraniums starting, but they don't seem to like them....

Looking for perennial NOW blooming flowers that hummers might like...any ideas?  I have room for a bush type thing....

Scorpio Rising wrote:I have hummingbirds, however they really seem to prefer the perennial flowers and (gasp) weeds over the annuals that I plant that they seem to like (lantanas, petunias, snapdragons, etc.)

Anybody have any input here?  I have a "lull" in my perennial bed; irises done, early bulbs way gone, day lilies not ready, geraniums starting, but they don't seem to like them....

Looking for perennial NOW blooming flowers that hummers might like...any ideas?  I have room for a bush type thing....

I bought trumpet vine for my hummers, but it was late late year and it hasn't bloome yet, so I can't vouch for it from personal experience. Our hummers love Katie's aloe blooms, but that's not a common occurrence, so I wouldn't recommend it just for that. I really don't know where mine are going. They aren't using the feeders, but they are hanging around the yard.

countrynaturals wrote:

Scorpio Rising wrote:I have hummingbirds, however they really seem to prefer the perennial flowers and (gasp) weeds over the annuals that I plant that they seem to like (lantanas, petunias, snapdragons, etc.)

Anybody have any input here?  I have a "lull" in my perennial bed; irises done, early bulbs way gone, day lilies not ready, geraniums starting, but they don't seem to like them....

Looking for perennial NOW blooming flowers that hummers might like...any ideas?  I have room for a bush type thing....

I bought trumpet vine for my hummers, but it was late late year and it hasn't bloome yet, so I can't vouch for it from personal experience. Our hummers love Katie's aloe blooms, but that's not a common occurrence, so I wouldn't recommend it just for that. I really don't know where mine are going. They aren't using the feeders, but they are hanging around the yard.

Right.  I had a trumpet vine at the old house, and they did love that!  Can't grow aloe here....mine are using the feeders, and they don't when my perennials get going....at least they have that!

Scorpio Rising wrote:I have hummingbirds, however they really seem to prefer the perennial flowers and (gasp) weeds over the annuals that I plant that they seem to like (lantanas, petunias, snapdragons, etc.)

Anybody have any input here?  I have a "lull" in my perennial bed; irises done, early bulbs way gone, day lilies not ready, geraniums starting, but they don't seem to like them....

Looking for perennial NOW blooming flowers that hummers might like...any ideas?  I have room for a bush type thing....

Maybe a red columbine? Not a shrub, but they should be perennial... but I'm not sure where mine have gotten to.

A hummer has been visiting *something* in my garden recently. The first time I figured it was just saying thanks as I sowed lacy phacelia seeds (I could joke that it thought my ear was a flower, but I'm QUITE certain that I smelled NOTHING like a flower at that point.) But it has been back, so it's up to something. The lilac has been there for awhile, and the internet doesn't seem to suggest they love those, so probably not that. The only newish bloomer is my peas. Internet says that, yes, they like pink and red pea flowers. So not a perennial, but maybe planted each year vegetable that could also please the HBs.

My old fashioned red/yellow columbine just got done flowering....so yes, I am sure they were on that.  But it is only one plant (hoping to get some seeds and propagate that baby).

I mean they seem to like the feeder, I am really careful about keeping it fresh and clean.  Wish there was an early lily---oh, hey!  Maybe a straight up lily!!!  I have daylilies, but regular lilies are in bloom here now!

I so love my hummingbirds!  Thinking that I need to plant more perennials that attract them.  Need to see where I can put some trumpet vine but I don’t see it…

Scorpio Rising wrote: Need to see where I can put some trumpet vine but I don’t see it…

I took out the trumpet vines last year after they became so invasive. They were spreading everywhere.

One of the favorite perennials that the hummingbirds love in our gardens is the Crocosmia 'Lucifer". When it is bloom, the hummingbirds can't stay away from it.  When it isn't in bloom, they visit the Buddleja (Butterfly Bush).