Hummingbirds are beautiful, energetic little birds that many gardeners love to have visit their outdoor spaces. Their glittering, iridescent feathers and entertaining antics can bring joy to any environment. One of the best ways to attract hummingbirds to a patio, balcony, or small yard is by planting flowers in pots that appeal to them. With the right selection of plants, it’s easy to create an appealing habitat for hummingbirds in containers.
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Why Do Hummingbirds Visit Gardens and Patio Spaces?
Hummingbirds are attracted to gardens and outdoor living areas for two main reasons:
1. Nectar
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from drinking nectar from flowers. Their long, slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for reaching into tubular blooms and lapping up the sweet nectar inside. By providing the right flowers, you can create an enticing nectar buffet for hummingbirds.
2. Small Insects
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds also eat small spiders and insects, which they capture with their forked tongues. Gardens with an abundance of flowering plants tend to have more insect life, providing a good source of protein for hummingbirds.
Ideal Features of Container Plants for Hummingbirds
When selecting plants for hummingbird-friendly pots, look for ones with these key features:
Brightly Colored, Tubular Flowers
Hummingbirds have excellent color vision and are drawn to flowers in vibrant shades of red, orange, pink, purple, and white. They prefer flowers with a tubular or trumpet-like shape which they can easily access with their long bills.
Continuous Blooming
Choose flowers that bloom continuously throughout the seasons when hummingbirds are present. Plants that only bloom for a short period are less useful as a food source.
Nectar-Rich Blossoms
Some flowers have more nectar content than others. Opt for nectar-rich choices to provide plenty of fuel for hungry hummers.
Low-Maintenance
Look for relatively low-maintenance plants that require minimal pruning and care when grown in containers. This allows more time to simply relax and enjoy the visiting hummingbirds.
Best Flowering Plants to Attract Hummingbirds in Pots
Here are some excellent options for container plants that will bring hummingbirds to your patio or balcony:
1. Petunias
With their multitudes of trumpet-shaped blooms in vibrant shades, petunias are a favorite of hummingbirds. They bloom continuously from spring to fall in hanging baskets or containers. Choose red, pink, purple, or white varieties.
2. Fuchsias
The pendulous flowers of fuchsias are perfectly designed for access by hummingbird beaks. These beautiful shade-lovers come in stunning combinations like red and purple. Grow them in hanging baskets.
3. Begonias
For containers in shady spots, wax begonias and other tuberous begonia varieties have abundant blooms and attract hummingbirds with their bright colors and nectar.
4. Geraniums
These popular container plants bloom prolifically in shades like red, pink, and white from spring until frost. The nectar-rich flowers clustered on Spreading geraniums make an excellent hummingbird buffet.
5. Lantanas
Lantanas are heat-loving, low-maintenance plants perfect for containers, with clusters of brightly hued, tubular flowers in orange, yellow, pink, purple, and red. Hummingbirds flock to them.
6. Coral Bells
With their graceful spikes of bell-shaped blooms in shades of red, pink, and white, coral bells (Heuchera) are magnets for hummingbirds. Plant them in partial sun.
7. Nasturtiums
Vibrantly colored nasturtiums have funnel-shaped blossoms with ample nectar to attract hummingbirds. Trailing varieties look beautiful spilling from window boxes and hanging baskets.
8. Cannas
The large, banana-like leaves of cannas make an exotic backdrop for their clustered blooms in vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks. Plant dwarf varieties in containers on patios.
9. Cardinal Flower
This North American native has spires of bright red, tubular flowers irresistible to hummingbirds. Grow it in partial shade with moist soil.
10. Bee Balm
Also called monarda, this perennial has shaggy clusters of tubular flowers in shades of red and pink atop aromatic foliage. Hummingbirds can’t resist it.
11. Pineapple Sage
With its bright red flowers and irresistible pineapple fragrance, this herb is a magnet for hungry hummers in the fall when little else is blooming.
12. Columbine
The elegant, bell-shaped blooms of columbine come in colors like red, yellow, pink, and white. Their abundant nectar draws in hummingbirds.
13. Trumpet Vine
As its name indicates, this vigorous vine has showy, trumpet-shaped orange to red blooms perfect for hummingbird nectaring. It needs a sturdy trellis or arbor.
14. Citron Bells
This low-growing perennial has cheerful yellow blooms on trailing stems ideal for hanging baskets in sunny spots. Hummingbirds love visiting the tubular blooms for nectar.
Providing Other Habitat Elements
In addition to food sources from flowers, you can make your container garden even more attractive to hummingbirds by incorporating these other habitat elements:
Water
Provide a small birdbath, mister, or fountain with fresh, clean water. Change it daily. Hummingbirds bathe and drink while visiting.
Perches
Add sticks, trellises, or plant supports for hummingbirds to conveniently perch and rest as they move between flowers.
Shelter
Lush, dense annuals, perennials, vines, and foliage plants give hummingbirds shelter. Container plantings near trees or shrubs also offer cover.
Tips for Caring for Hummingbird Container Gardens
Follow these tips for successfully growing plants that attract hummingbirds in pots:
Use a Hummingbird-Friendly Potting Mix
Select a lightweight potting mix that drains well and contains nutrients to support blooming. A mix with organic ingredients is ideal.
Choose Containers with Drainage Holes
Pots with holes allow excess moisture to escape, preventing root rot in your plants. For hanging baskets, use a liner with good drainage.
Fertilize Regularly
Apply liquid fertilizer or slow-release granules monthly during the growing season to promote lush foliage and abundant blooms.
Prune Spent Blooms
Prune back flowers after they fade to encourage reblooming. Deadhead geraniums, petunias, and fuchsias regularly.
Provide Support for Vining Plants
Install trellises and cages to support vigorous vines and trailing plants like nasturtiums and trumpet vine.
Monitor for Pests and Diseases
Watch for common issues like aphids and powdery mildew and treat promptly to keep plants healthy. Discard plants with infections.
Change Out Plantings Seasonally
Rotate annuals and tender perennials to provide nectar-rich flowers year-round. Add spring bloomers like petunias, then switch to fuchsias and geraniums for summer, followed by fall selections like pineapple sage.
Conclusion
By planting the right nectar-rich, colorful, tubular flowers in pots and providing hummingbirds with water and shelter, you can successfully create a small-space container garden to attract these energetic pollinators. Choose a variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, vines, and shrubs tailored for containers that will bloom spring through fall. With a little diligence on care and maintenance, even the smallest patio or balcony can become a hummingbird hotspot.
