Full Sun Flowers For Hummingbirds

Attracting Hummingbirds with Flowers

If you're an avid bird watcher or nature enthusiast, you may have noticed the beauty and grace of hummingbirds. These tiny birds are known for their iridescent feathers, fast wing beats, and love for nectar-rich flowers. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden or backyard, planting full sun flowers can be a great way to do so. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best full sun flowers for hummingbirds and how to care for them.

Best Full Sun Flowers for Hummingbirds

1. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Bee balm is a popular perennial flower that blooms in mid-summer to fall. It comes in shades of red, pink, and purple, and is loved by hummingbirds for its tubular shape and nectar content. Bee balm prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and is easy to propagate from seeds or cuttings.

Care Tips for Bee Balm

To keep bee balm healthy and attractive to hummingbirds, you should:

• Water it regularly, especially during hot and dry periods.
• Deadhead spent flowers to promote new growth and prevent disease.
• Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.

2. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

As its name suggests, cardinal flower is a bright red flower that blooms in late summer to early fall. It grows up to 4 feet tall and prefers moist, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. Hummingbirds are attracted to its tall spikes of tubular flowers, which contain plenty of nectar.

Care Tips for Cardinal Flower

To grow cardinal flower successfully, you should:

• Plant it in a location with good drainage and consistent moisture.
• Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
• Cut back stems after flowering to promote new growth and prevent self-seeding.

3. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Salvia is a large genus of plants that includes annuals, perennials, and shrubs. Many species of salvia have tubular flowers that are perfect for hummingbirds, including Salvia splendens, Salvia coccinea, and Salvia guaranitica. These flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple, blue, and white, and bloom from summer to fall.

Care Tips for Salvia

To keep salvia healthy and blooming, you should:

• Plant it in well-drained soil and full sun.
• Water regularly but avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.
• Prune after flowering to promote compact growth and prevent legginess.

Other Full Sun Flowers for Hummingbirds

1. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnias are colorful annual flowers that bloom from mid-summer to fall. They come in a wide range of colors, from red and orange to yellow and pink, and are easy to grow from seeds. Hummingbirds are attracted to their flat, daisy-like flowers, which contain nectar.

Care Tips for Zinnia

To grow zinnias successfully, you should:

• Plant them in well-drained soil and full sun.
• Water regularly but avoid getting the leaves wet, which can cause disease.
• Deadhead spent flowers to promote new growth and prevent self-seeding.

2. Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)

Mexican sunflower is a tall annual plant that blooms from mid-summer to fall. It has large, bright orange or yellow flowers that are ideal for hummingbirds. Mexican sunflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can grow up to 6 feet tall.

Care Tips for Mexican Sunflower

To care for Mexican sunflower, you should:

• Plant it in a location with good air circulation and plenty of sunlight.
• Water regularly but avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.
• Pinch back stems to promote bushier growth and more blooms.

3. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susan is a popular perennial flower that blooms from summer to fall. It has yellow or orange petals with a dark center, and is loved by hummingbirds and other pollinators. Black-eyed Susan prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and can grow up to 3 feet tall.

Care Tips for Black-Eyed Susan

To keep black-eyed Susan healthy and blooming, you should:

• Plant it in a location with good air circulation and plenty of sunlight.
• Water regularly but avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot.
• Deadhead spent flowers to promote new growth and prevent self-seeding.

Attracting Hummingbirds with Full Sun Flowers

Planting full sun flowers is a great way to attract hummingbirds to your garden or backyard. Remember to choose flowers that are rich in nectar and have tubular shapes, as these are the most attractive to hummingbirds. Also, be sure to provide proper care for your flowers by watering, fertilizing, and pruning them regularly. With a little effort, you can create a beautiful and welcoming habitat for these amazing birds.

FAQs about Full Sun Flowers for Hummingbirds

Q1. What other factors attract hummingbirds besides flowers?

Hummingbirds are also attracted to water sources, such as bird baths or fountains, as well as perches where they can rest and observe their surroundings.

Q2. Can I plant full sun flowers in containers?

Yes, many full sun flowers can be grown successfully in containers as long as they have enough space and drainage.

Q3. How often should I fertilize my full sun flowers?

It depends on the type of flower and the fertilizer used. Generally, you should fertilize once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.

Q4. How do I prevent pests from damaging my full sun flowers?

You can use organic pesticides, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, to control common pests like aphids, mites, or whiteflies. You can also encourage natural predators, such as ladybugs or lacewings, to feed on pests.

Q5. Can I attract hummingbirds to my balcony or rooftop garden?

Yes, as long as you provide flowers and water sources that are attractive to hummingbirds, you can create a habitat for them in small spaces like balconies or rooftops.