Do hummingbirds like hibiscus? As a matter of fact, yes they do!
Keep reading to find out:
- Why hibiscus draws hummingbirds to it like honey to the bee
- What types of hibiscus hummingbirds are most attracted to
- How to grow hibiscus in your garden
- What to avoid if you want to keep hummingbirds coming back
Do Hummingbirds Like Hibiscus? Why?
Yes, hummingbirds really like hibiscus!
Hummingbirds are attracted to hibiscus flowers for their sweet nectar and deep color.
The following list of reasons sums it up:
- Sweet Nectar: Hibiscus flowers contain sweet nectar that gives hummingbirds the energy they need to fly and maintain their high metabolism.
- Deep-Toned Blooms: The bright colors of hibiscus flowers are easy for hummingbirds to spot and access. They are particularly drawn to the deep-toned blooms.
- Large Blooms: Hibiscus flowers can grow quite large, providing plenty of nectar for hummingbirds to feed on.
- Constant Blooming: Hibiscus flowers bloom throughout the summer, providing a reliable food source for hummingbirds.
Read Next: Do Hummingbirds Like Hydrangeas?
Types of Hibiscus to Plant for Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are known to be attracted to many different types of hibiscus, but some varieties are particularly popular among these birds.
Here are a few types of hibiscus that hummingbirds prefer:
- Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus): This variety produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are rich in nectar and have a long blooming period.
- Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis): Classic tropical hibiscus flowers are big and colorful, enticing hummingbirds to their vibrant hues.
- Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos): This hibiscus plant is particularly attractive to hummingbirds during the late summer and early fall.
- Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis): With double blooms that change color as they mature, confederate rose is an interesting and highly appealing food source for hummingbirds.
What Is a Hummingbird’s Favorite Type of Hibiscus?
One variety of hibiscus that’s often cited among birdwatchers as a hummingbird favorite is the “Rose of Sharon” hibiscus.
Its long blooming period makes it an ideal food source for hummingbirds.
Additionally, the “Rose of Sharon” hibiscus is hardy and can be grown in all sorts of climates, making it a popular choice for gardeners who want to attract hummingbirds to their yard.
Can I Put Hibiscus in My Hummingbird Feeder?
While hibiscus flowers are a favorite food source for hummingbirds, it is not recommended to put hibiscus in your hummingbird feeder.
Hummingbird feeders are designed to hold a nectar solution made from sugar and water. Adding other substances, like hibiscus flowers, can clog the feeding ports and cause the solution to spoil more quickly.
Plus, hibiscus flowers may contain natural toxins that can be harmful to hummingbirds if ingested in large quantities.
What to Do Instead
Instead of adding hibiscus flowers to your hummingbird feeder, consider planting hibiscus in your garden to provide a natural food source for hummingbirds. This will allow the birds to feed on the nectar-rich flowers as they would in the wild, while also adding beauty and color to your garden.
If you do choose to use a hummingbird feeder, make sure to clean it regularly and use a nectar solution made from sugar and water only.
Do Pink Hibiscus Attract Hummingbirds?
Yes, pink hibiscus can attract hummingbirds. While hummingbirds tend to be attracted to bright colors like red, pink hibiscus can also be a favorite among these birds.
The key factor that attracts hummingbirds to hibiscus flowers is the sweet nectar that they produce. As long as the hibiscus flower provides nectar, it can be an important food source for hummingbirds.
In addition to pink hibiscus, other colors of hibiscus, including red, orange, yellow, and even white, can also attract hummingbirds.
The most important thing is the amount of nectar that the flower creates, as this is what hummingbirds are primarily seeking when they visit flowers.
So, if you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, consider planting different hibiscus colors to provide a diverse range of food sources for these beautiful birds.
How to Grow Hibiscus for Hummingbirds
Wondering how to grow hibiscus for hummingbirds?
Here’s a quick guide with step-by-step instructions:
- Choose the Right Types: Choose a hibiscus variety that is suited to your climate and soil type. Some popular varieties for attracting hummingbirds include the red hibiscus and the rose of Sharon.
- Plant in the Right Location: Hibiscus plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Make sure to plant them in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Water Them Enough: Hibiscus require regular watering, especially during the hot summer months. Make sure to water them deeply and regularly to keep the soil moist.
- Fertilize Regularly: Like other plants, hibiscus benefits from regular fertilization, especially during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer that is high in phosphorus to encourage blooming.
- Prune, Prune, Prune!: Regular pruning will encourage new growth and blooming. Prune hibiscus flowers in the spring to remove any dead or damaged branches.
- Provide a Hummingbird Feeder: In addition to hibiscus plants, have a hummingbird feeder to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Fill the feeder with a nectar solution made from sugar and water.
- Enjoy the Blooms: Once your hibiscus plants start to bloom, sit back and enjoy the show! Hummingbirds will be attracted to the nectar-rich flowers and will visit your garden frequently.
What to Avoid When Planting Your Garden for Hummingbirds
When planting a garden for hummingbirds, there are a few things to avoid to ensure that your garden is safe and healthy for these birds.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Pesticides: Don’t use pesticides in your garden, as these chemicals can be harmful to hummingbirds and other wildlife. Instead, use natural methods like companion planting and beneficial insects to control pests.
- Invasive Plants: Avoid planting invasive plants in your garden. The reason being, they can take over and crowd out native plants that hummingbirds rely on for food and shelter.
- Hybrid Plants: Hybrid plants may not make as much nectar as their wild counterparts. Stick to native or heirloom varieties of plants to ensure that they are nectar-rich and attractive to hummingbirds.
- Deadheading: As much as you can, steer clear of deadheading or removing spent flowers from your plants. As it turns out, these flowers may still contain nectar that hummingbirds can feed on.
- Overcrowding: Overcrowding your garden with too many plants can make it difficult for hummingbirds to navigate and find the flowers they need. Make sure to space your plants out and provide plenty of room for hummingbirds to fly and feed.
Avoiding these common pitfalls, you can create a safe and healthy garden that will attract hummingbirds and provide them with the food and shelter they need to thrive.
Other Flowers to Plant With Hibiscus for Hummingbirds
As it happens, there are many other flowers and plants that you can plant next to hibiscus to attract hummingbirds.
Here are a few examples:
- Bee Balm (Monarda): This native wildflower has intense red, pink, or purple blooms that mesmerize hummingbirds.
- Salvia: The Salvia plant grows spikes of brightly colored flowers full of nectar. Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to red and pink varieties of salvia.
- Penstemon: With its tubular flowers, penstemon is great for hummingbirds. Especially the red and pink varieties of penstemon.
- Fuchsia: The delicate, bell-shaped flowers of fuchsia have plenty of nectar to bring hummingbirds to your garden.
- Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans): With the right type of trumpet-shaped flowers, trumpet vine is the perfect addition to your garden. Plant the orange or red flowers if you want hummingbird visitors.
FAQ
Do hibiscus have nectar for hummingbirds?
Yes, hibiscus flowers have nectar for hummingbirds! The amount of nectar that a hibiscus flower produces can vary depending on the species and variety of the plant, as well as the growing conditions.
However, in general, hibiscus flowers are a good source of nectar for hummingbirds, and planting hibiscus in your garden can be a great way to attract these beautiful birds.
Do hummingbirds like Texas Star hibiscus?
The answer is yes—hummingbirds are known to like Texas Star hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus). This native hibiscus species grows show-stopping flowers in shades of red, pink, and white that are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds.
Texas Star hibiscus is also a hardy plant that can thrive in a variety of growing conditions, making it a great choice for gardeners looking to attract hummingbirds to their garden.
What is a hummingbird’s favorite flower?
Hummingbirds’ favorite flowers tend to be tubular-shaped and brightly colored, especially in shades of red, orange, and pink.
The tubular shape of the flowers is well-suited to the long, thin beaks of hummingbirds, which allows them to reach the sweet nectar inside.
Some of the most popular flowers for attracting hummingbirds include:
- Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Salvia (Salvia spp.)
- Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
- Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
- Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
- Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)
- Petunia (Petunia spp.)
- Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
What flowers hummingbirds don’t like?
Of course, there are some flowers that hummingbirds tend to avoid. Here are a few examples of flowers that hummingbirds don’t typically like:
- Daffodils (Narcissus spp.): Daffodils are toxic to hummingbirds and other wildlife, so they are not a good choice for a hummingbird garden.
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.): While daylilies are pretty, they are not typically attractive to hummingbirds.
- Irises (Iris spp.): Some birders report seeing hummingbirds occasionally visiting their irises. However, there are more people saying that these little birds don’t visit their irises at all.
- Marigolds (Tagetes spp.): True, marigolds are colorful flowers. However, hummingbirds tend to stay away.
- Roses (Rosa spp.): Although roses are fragrant and pretty, they don’t have much nectar for hummingbirds.
What are the best perennial flowers to attract hummingbirds?
Here are just a few of the best perennial flowers to attract hummingbirds:
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Bee balm’s bright red, pink, and purple blooms attract hummingbirds like a magnet. It’s also a hardy plant that can thrive in a variety of growing conditions.
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Cardinal flower’s bright red, tubular-shaped flowers have a lot of nectar, and they’re a great choice for wet or boggy areas.
- Salvia (Salvia spp.): These spikes of cheery-colored flowers also happen to be drought-resistant and easy to care for.
- Columbine (Aquilegia): Columbine makes delicate, bell-shaped flowers. The plant is also hardy and can thrive in a range of growing conditions.
- Lupine (Lupinus): If you love lupine, you’re in luck. Hummingbirds like lupine’s tall spikes of vividly-hued flowers. Plus, lupine can grow in all sorts of environmental conditions.
Do hummingbirds like mandevilla?
They sure do.
The shape of the flowers works for the long beaks of hummingbirds, which allows them to reach the sweet nectar inside.
You can get more tips on planting mandevilla for hummingbirds in our article Do Hummingbirds Like Mandevilla?
Do hummingbirds like lavender?
Yes, they do!
Lavender flowers check off all the boxes for hummers:
- Nectar-producing
- Right shape for hummingbird beaks
- Brightly colored
- Fragrant to the hummingbird’s highly-developed sense of smell
To find out more, read Do Hummingbirds Like Lavender?
Do hummingbirds like geraniums?
Hummingbirds may visit geraniums, but they’re not the best source of food for them.
They lack the right shape, and moreover, they don’t have that much nectar, making them not quite ideal for hummingbird needs.
Find out more in our article, Do Hummingbirds Like Geraniums?