Gardeners often seek ways to invite wildlife, such as the mesmerizing hummingbird, into their landscapes. This desire frequently leads to questions about common garden staples, and the popular geranium is often cited as a potential hummingbird magnet. The inquiry into whether this flower attracts these tiny, fast-flying birds is complex, rooted in botanical identity and the specific biological needs of hummingbirds. Understanding the difference between plant types and avian feeding preferences reveals the true answer.
Geraniums and the Pelargonium Distinction
The plant most people purchase as “geranium” is actually a species of Pelargonium, a distinction important for nectar-seeking birds. These common bedding plants are known for their vibrant, showy clusters of flowers. While the bright colors of Pelargonium can initially catch a hummingbird’s eye, the flower structure and nectar reward are generally insufficient to hold its interest. The blooms are typically open and flat, making it difficult for a hummingbird’s long bill to efficiently access any available nectar.
True geraniums, known botanically as Geranium or Cranesbills, are distinct from their common garden counterparts. These are often low-growing, perennial plants with smaller, more open flowers. True Cranesbills are primarily pollinated by insects and usually contain a low concentration of nectar. Consequently, neither the common Pelargonium nor the true Geranium species offer the high caloric reward or specialized shape required for sustained feeding.
The Science of Hummingbird Attraction
Hummingbirds select their food sources based on three specific floral characteristics: color, shape, and nectar quality. Unlike many insects, these birds do not rely on a sense of smell to find flowers, instead using their highly developed vision. They are especially sensitive to the red and orange end of the color spectrum, colors that signal a potential high-energy meal.
The physical structure of the flower is equally important, as hummingbirds seek out blooms with a tubular or trumpet shape. This design limits access for generalist insect competitors like bees, reserving the nectar primarily for the bird’s specialized bill and long, grooved tongue.
The length of the tube often co-evolves to match the bill length of the local hummingbird species, ensuring efficient feeding and pollination. Finally, the nectar itself must provide a high concentration of sugar, often sucrose, which is the preferred and most easily metabolized fuel source for their high-speed metabolism.
Proven Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds
Gardeners looking to reliably attract and sustain hummingbirds should focus on plants that meet these precise biological requirements. Species with long, narrow, brightly colored corollas are ideal, providing a rich, easily accessible nectar source.
Recommended Plants
- Salvia species, particularly those with red or purple blooms, are favored due to their abundant, tubular flowers that offer a continuous nectar supply.
- Cultivars of Bee Balm (Monarda) feature clusters of tubular blooms that are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) produces striking scarlet, tubular flowers on tall spikes, offering a concentrated nectar reward.
- The dramatic, fast-growing Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) produces large, deep-throated, red-orange flowers that are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds.
- Fuchsia plants, with their distinctive pendulous, two-toned, tubular blossoms, are effective in containers and hanging baskets, positioning the nectar source in the birds’ flight path.