Birdwatching and gardening go hand in hand. A love for nature and the outdoors seems to come with an innate desire to cultivate and grow things. So, it is only natural that many birders also take up gardening as a hobby (or vice versa)!
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, you need to plant the right flowers. Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored flowers with a lot of nectar. They are also attracted to flowers that are tubular in shape. This is because they can stick their long beaks into the flower to get the nectar.
So, do birds like petunias? Le’t’s find out….
Do Petunias Attract Hummingbirds?
Petunias are a great choice if you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden. They come in a wide range of colors and are practically effortless to grow. Plus, they produce a source of nectar for hummingbirds, which is precisely what they are looking for.
If you plant a variety of petunias, you’ll have a greater chance of attracting these fascinating creatures to your garden.
Varieties of Petunias
Here are some of the best petunia varieties—with a source of nectar—to plant if you want to attract hummingbirds:
- Cherries Jubilee Petunia
- Tidal Wave Silver Petunia
- Wave Purple Petunia
- Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunia
- Supertunia Biscuit Petunia
- Supertunia Chocolate Chip Petunia
- Double Wave Blue Velvet Petunia
As you can see, there are a wide variety of nectar-rich petunias to choose from so you shouldn’t have a problem finding the perfect type for your garden.
Plus, all of these varieties are easy to grow, and they will produce an abundance of nectar for the hummingbirds.
The Best Type of Petunia for Hummingbirds
While all types of petunia plants will attract hummingbirds, one particularly nectar-rich variety is the Double Wave Blue Velvet petunia. The blue color is very striking and will really stand out in your garden.
Otherwise, any variety that is red in color is sure to catch the eye of a passing hummingbird.
What Is the Hummingbird’s Favorite Flower?
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, you should try to plant a variety of nectar-rich red flowers in partial shade. Some good choices include:
- Impatiens
- Geraniums
- Begonias
- Fuchsias
- Petunias
In addition to red flowers, hummingbirds also like orange and yellow flowers. So, you can try planting some of these colored, shade-loving plants as well.
What Flowers Do Hummingbirds Not Like?
While there are many garden plants that hummingbirds like, there are also some that they aren’t as fond of.
White flowers are not particularly attractive to hummingbirds, simply because the color isn’t easy for them to see.
Some types produce flower nectar that is not as sweet as others. Hummingbirds prefer sweet nectar, so they may avoid flowers that have nectar that is not as sweet.
Some less attractive flowers include:
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Daisies
Caring for Petunias: Keep Your Hummingbird Garden Healthy and Thriving
Now that you know which flowers hummingbirds like, you need to make sure that you take care of them properly. Here are some tips for keeping your hummingbird garden healthy and thriving:
- Water regularly. The garden plant needs to be watered about once a week and left with moist soil. Be sure to check the soil before watering to make sure that they are in dry conditions.
- Fertilize monthly. Use a balanced fertilizer and apply it according to the package directions.
- Deadhead regularly. Deadheading is the process of removing dead or dying flowers. This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
- Pinch back regularly. Pinching back is the process of trimming back the stems of the plant. This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
- Plant petunias after the last frost as the spring emerges. They should be in the ground, in partial shade, and established before your first hummingbird visitors.
- Remember that petunia plants are annual plants, meaning they complete their entire life cycle in a single year, dying after their bloom in late spring. Don’t be discouraged if your petunias die, as long as they have a healthy bloom and moist soil.
By following these tips, you can be sure that your petunia seeds will stay healthy and grow to be attractive to hummingbirds.
Your beautiful petunias will not only be beloved by hummingbirds but also other critters like butterflies and bees.
Final Thoughts
While there are many flowers that hummingbirds like, petunias are a great option if you’re looking to add some color to your garden.
Planting a variety of petunias will give you the best chance of attracting beautiful birds.
Simply enough: They’ll be drawn to the bright colors, sunny location, and sugary source of nectar! With so many different types of petunias to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect variety for your garden.