Celosia is a popular, colorful annual often planted for its striking appearance, with varieties commonly known as Cockscomb or Feather Amaranth. Hummingbirds are nectar feeders, relying on flowers for the high-energy fuel they need to sustain their rapid metabolism. Given Celosia’s bright colors, gardeners often wonder if this plant provides a viable food source for these birds. This article explores why Celosia is not a primary food source for hummingbirds and suggests more effective alternatives for attracting them.
Why Celosia Is Not a Preferred Food Source
Celosia flowers contain nectar, but their physical structure makes them difficult for hummingbirds to access effectively. The plant comes in three main types: plumed (feathery spikes), wheat (grain-like), and cockscomb (dense, crested heads). These flower forms lack the specialized shape that hummingbirds require for efficient feeding.
The dense, clustered nature of the Celosia bloom physically impedes a hummingbird’s long bill and tongue from reaching the nectar at the base of the flower. While a bird might investigate the vibrant colors of Celosia, especially red or pink varieties, they rarely extract a sufficient nectar reward. The energy expenditure of probing a difficult flower often outweighs the caloric gain, causing the bird to quickly move on to a more accessible source.
Key Floral Characteristics That Attract Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds have co-evolved with specific plant species, resulting in a strong preference for flowers that meet distinct biological criteria. The most significant factor is the flower’s shape, which must accommodate the bird’s specialized feeding apparatus. Hummingbirds favor blooms with a tubular or funnel shape that perfectly shields the nectar while aligning with the length of their bills.
Color also plays a role, with hummingbirds showing a high attraction to flowers in the red, orange, and pink spectrums. This preference exists because these colors often indicate high-quality nectar and are less visible to insect pollinators, reducing competition. Beyond shape and color, the nectar itself must be plentiful and highly concentrated in sugar to meet the bird’s energy demands. Flowers that produce high volumes of nectar with a sugar concentration around 20 to 25% are the most attractive.
Highly Effective Hummingbird Garden Plants
Gardeners wishing to attract hummingbirds successfully should focus on planting species that possess the favored tubular structure and high nectar yield. Planting these effective species in dense groups, rather than singly, creates an energy-efficient feeding area that encourages hummingbirds to visit and stay in the garden.
Highly effective plants include:
- Salvia (sage), which features long, slender flowers that provide an abundance of nectar over a long bloom period.
- Bee Balm (Monarda), whose tubular blooms are irresistible and come in shades of red, pink, and violet.
- Penstemons (Beardtongue), which offer trumpet-shaped, nectar-rich blossoms in various bright colors.
- Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans), which is highly effective for vertical gardening, producing clusters of red or orange tubular flowers throughout the summer.