Setting hummingbirds with homemade sugar-water is one of the most common ways people attract these fascinating birds to their yards and gardens. As yet National Audubon Society points out, feeders should be used as supplements because native flowers remain the most important source of nectar for hummingbirds. Planting red flowers is an especially smart move because this Colors encourage more hummingbird visits. One option that checks all of these boxes is trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), and planting this native plant can also help attract hummingbirds to your nectar feeders with proper care and placement.
There are numerous types Red flowers can not resist hummingbirdsAnd trumpet honeysuckle is among them. Deciduous vine is not only native to the eastern US, but it has beautiful red tubular flowers that are especially attractive to these birds. Hummingbirds are actually drawn to tubular-shaped flowers like these because they stick their long tongues in for easier access to nectar. As a bonus, trumpet honeysuckle grows quickly to provide attractive foliage and flowers as well as some privacy. It can also attract other pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden, and its fruits are favored by a variety of songbirds in the fall.
Before you plant any type of honeysuckle in your yard, it’s important that your selection is truly a native Lonicera sempervirens. Some people mistakenly plant Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Unlike the native trumpet honeysuckle, however, Japanese honeysuckle is considered invasive and can quickly overwhelm other plants you have.
Growing Trumpet Honeysuckle in a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
Trumpet honeysuckle is considered hardy in zones 4 through 9. While it’s true that hummingbirds will eventually find nectar feeders and native plants like trumpet honeysuckle individually, you can maximize the main benefits by placing the two next to each other. The biggest catch here is that in order to grow trumpet honeysuckle in your yard or garden, it may require a close fence or additional trellis. This helps it climb and eventually grows between 10 and 20 feet. However, some gardeners choose to plant trumpet honeysuckle as a ground cover, which is another option you can use near your hummingbird feeder. No matter how you grow it, just make sure it’s not planted in front of your house because of the plant’s fire hazard.
Even if you’re just Starting a hummingbird garden Or already have a few native plants and nectar feeders, know that trumpet honeysuckle blooms in the spring and is most attractive to hummingbirds during this time. To maximize flowering power of trumpet honeysuckle, make sure the plant gets full sun with at least 6 hours of light per day. The plant is not particularly fussy about soil, and should do well with regular potting mix as long as it drains well. Avoid overwatering and ensure good air circulation between plants to help prevent problems like powdery mildew. Trumpet honeysuckle usually needs the most water during the first year of planting, and then you can water as needed to keep the soil moist. With these care tips, you can keep trumpet honeysuckle thriving so hummingbirds keep visiting during bloom.
