Petunias and Hummingbirds - Expert Insights on This Attraction Connection
Charming Hummingbird Companions: Petunias
Hummingbirds, those tiny, vibrant wonders of nature, are a delight to have fluttering around your backyard. You might be surprised to learn that attracting them doesn't necessitate a lush garden or specialized feeders. A simple solution lies in a familiar, blooming annual: Petunias. Here's why hummingbirds adore petunias, and a few expert tips on growing these flowers to bring these winged jewels to your garden.
Horticulturist extraordinaire and author of The Ultimate Flower Garden's Guide, Jenny Rose Carey, spills the beans on why hummingbirds share our affection for petunias. "They provide everything a hummer looks for in a flower – bright colors, nectar, and a shape that's easy to feed from," says Carey. Tubular flowers, she notes, are particularly attractive to hummingbirds as they allow the birds to reach the nectar deep within the blossom.
Though red flowers are often believed to be their sweet spot, Carey asserts that hummingbirds are flexible foragers. "Hummingbirds are a fairly equal opportunity feeder," she says, "so as long as it has a nice tubular flower and nectar, they're going to go for it." Carey's personal favorite petunia hue? A fiery hot pink. "I figure there's enough red in there that they will be attracted to that," she explains.
Tried-and-True Petunias
To entice the most hummingbirds into your garden oasis, consider these tips from the expert herself:
- Container Pals: Planting petunias in containers, such as planters, hanging baskets, or window boxes, is a winner for gardeners and hummingbirds alike. They're a breeze to water, and hummingbirds find them accessible. Hanging baskets, in particular, are at a good height for hummingbirds, making it easy for them to dart between nearby trees and the blossoms. And remember, proper drainage is paramount – always ensure that your pot has a hole at the bottom to avert root rot.
- Sunlovers: Petunias thrive in locations that receive at least four to six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you can offer them even more rays, they'll be even happier! As annuals, they're a bit sensitive to the cold, so arrange to plant them post-frost in your area.
- Watering and Feeding: Consistent watering is vital, particularly in containers, which can dry out quickly. Carey suggests using a compost-rich potting mix and occasionally feeding with a low-nitrogen fertilizer, which will help the plants focus on flower production instead of leaf growth.
- Pruning for Profusion: Once planted, petunias are prolific bloomers with minimal demands. They mostly self-clean, with spent blooms falling off. However, Carey recommends occasionally trimming the foliage to control leggy growth and promote bushier plants.
- Nature First: When trying to attract hummingbirds to your yard, remember to keep it chemical-free. "Don't use any pesticides or herbicides," Carey advises, "as soon as you start to spray, then you're messing with the habitat."
With their non-stop blooms and minimal maintenance, petunias make it a cinch to transform any outdoor haven into a hummingbird playground. Just add a few plants to your containers, sit back, grab your morning coffee or evening glass of wine, and marvel at these sparkling gems flitting among your flowers. "They're like tiny jewels," Carey says, "like emeralds and rubies, just scattering into the sky."
- For nature lovers who enjoy gardening, petunias are a perfect choice for attracting hummingbirds, thanks to their vibrant colors, nectar-rich flowers, and easy-to-reach shapes.
- Petunias, a popular annual in the home-and-garden world according to popular lifestyle magazine Better Homes and Gardens (BHG), are adored by hummingbirds for their tubular flowers that provide plenty of nectar.
- While red flowers are generally believed to be the favorites of hummingbirds, gardening expert Jenny Rose Carey explains that these skilled foragers are actually flexible and will feed on flowers with abundant nectar and a tubular shape, including other hues like fiery hot pink.
- To make your garden an inviting oasis for hummingbirds, consider growing petunias in containers, offering them at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, and providing them with a compost-rich potting mix and occasional low-nitrogen fertilizer.
- To maintain a healthy, bushy growth of petunias, prune them occasionally, keep your garden free of chemicals to ensure a safe habitat for hummingbirds and other wildlife, and enjoy the non-stop blooms of these sparkling jewels in your own backyard oasis.
