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Planting and caring for hummingbirds can be a pleasant and rewarding experience. These tiny, colourful birds are attracted to certain types of flowers that attracts hummingbirds and require a specific setting to thrive.
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Image source: www.google.com
Image source: www.google.com
Image source: www.google.com
Bee Balm (Monarda): This flower produces vibrant clusters of tubular blooms in shades of red, pink, and purple. It has a high nectar content and is a favourite of hummingbirds.
Horn Vine: With its bright orange or red trumpet-shaped flowers that hummingbirds are attracted to garden the horn vine is highly beautiful to hummingbirds. It can be a vigorous grower, so it's important to provide ample space for it to climb and spread.
Fuchsia (Fuchsia): Fuchsia flowers are pendulous and come in a variety of colours, including pink, purple, and red. Their unique shape and rich liquid make them a magnet for hummingbirds.
Salvia: Salvia plants, including varieties such as scarlet sage and autumn sage, produce vibrant tubular flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible.
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Here are 10 tips for attracting both hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden:
Plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers: Choose flowers that produce abundant nectar and have tubular or flat blossoms, as these are attractive to both hummingbirds and butterflies. Examples include bee balm, milkweed, coneflower, butterfly bush, zinnia, and lantana.
Include native plants in your garden: Native plants are well-adapted to the local environment and often provide the best food sources for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Provide host plants for butterfly larvae: Butterflies lay eggs on specific host plants that serve as food for their caterpillars. Plant host plants such as milkweed for monarch butterflies, parsley for black swallowtails, or dill for swallowtails, to support the complete life cycle of butterflies.
Plant for continuous blooming: Aim to have flowers that attracts hummingbirds blooming throughout the growing season to provide a consistent food source. Select plants with staggered blooming times, so there are always flowers available for hummingbirds and butterflies.
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Create a water source: Both hummingbirds and butterflies need water for drinking and bathing. Place shallow dishes with water, add pebbles or rocks for perching, or install a small birdbath or shallow fountain to attract these creatures.
Provide sun and shade areas: Hummingbirds and butterflies both require sunny spots for warmth and energy, as well as shady areas for rest and protection. Create a mix of sunny and shaded areas in your garden to accommodate their needs.
Avoid using pesticides: Chemical pesticides can harm hummingbirds and butterflies, as well as their larvae. Instead, opt for natural pest control methods or encourage natural predators like ladybugs and birds to keep pest populations in check.
Join a variety of plant heights: Different species of hummingbirds and butterflies have different feeding and perching habits. Include plants of varying heights, such as tall flowers, shrubs, and low-growing plants, to provide different levels for feeding and resting.
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Provide shelter and perching spots: Hummingbirds and butterflies need perches for resting and observing their settings. Plant trees, shrubs, or install grills to offer resting spots and shelter from wind and killers.
Avoid excessive pruning: Some butterflies lay eggs on the underside of leaves, and hummingbirds may use branches for nesting. Avoid excessive pruning to provide suitable nesting and egg-laying sites for these creatures.
Read Also: The Essential Guide To Choosing The Right Outdoor Plant Pots
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Bee balm is a vibrant and popular choice for attracting hummingbirds. It produces clusters of tubular flowers that attracts hummingbirds in shades of red, pink, and purple.
Image source: www.google.com
The trumpet vine is a favourite of hummingbirds due to its bright orange or red trumpet-shaped flowers. It is a vigorous climber, so provide adequate support for it to grow and spread.
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Red hot poker plants feature tall points of tube-shaped flowers that arise in shades of red, carroty, and creamy. The single shape and lively colours make them highly attractive to hummingbirds.
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Known for its striking red blooms, the cardinal flower is a magnet for hummingbirds. It thrives in moist conditions and is an excellent choice for gardens with partial shade.
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Salvia plants, such as scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) and fall sage (Salvia greggii), produce tube-shaped flowers that hummingbirds are attracted to garden that hummingbirds find desirable. They come in various colours, including red, pink, purple, and white.
BY SANJANA PANDEY
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