The sight of a hummingbird hovering in a garden is a rewarding experience many gardeners seek. These tiny, fast-moving birds rely on floral nectar for the energy needed to sustain their rapid wingbeats. Gardeners often wonder if popular, late-season blooms like the chrysanthemum, or “mum,” can serve as a dependable food source. Understanding the specific requirements of a hummingbird’s diet provides a clear answer regarding the compatibility of these birds with the common garden chrysanthemum.
Floral Features That Attract Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds have evolved a specialized feeding mechanism that dictates their flower preferences. The most attractive blooms are typically long and tubular, often described as trumpet-shaped, which complements the bird’s slender bill. This morphology places the nectar deep within the flower, making it easily accessible to the hummingbird but difficult for many insects to reach.
The energy demands of a hovering hummingbird require nectar with a high sugar concentration to fuel its metabolism. Flowers that cater to these birds generally produce nectar rich in sucrose, which is efficiently metabolized. Hummingbirds are also drawn to vibrant colors, with red, orange, and pink being the most effective visual cues.
Why Chrysanthemums Are Generally Avoided
The common chrysanthemum flower structure is the primary reason hummingbirds tend to bypass them. Most mums are composite flowers, meaning the large bloom is actually a dense head made up of many small individual flowers. This structure presents a flat, open surface that lacks the deep, tubular shape required for the hummingbird’s bill to efficiently probe for nectar.
The nectar resources in chrysanthemums are often limited and less concentrated compared to the specialized blooms hummingbirds seek. While the birds may occasionally investigate a mum, the effort required to extract minimal nectar usually makes the visit energetically unprofitable. Additionally, many popular varieties feature colors like white and yellow, which are not as visually compelling as the preferred reds and oranges.
Recommended Nectar Sources for Gardeners
To reliably draw hummingbirds, gardeners should focus on planting species with the specific floral traits these birds favor. Perennials such as Salvia (sage) are excellent choices, offering numerous tubular blooms that provide a steady nectar supply. Bee Balm (Monarda) and Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) are also recommended, as they feature the preferred red color and long, fluted shapes.
For gardeners seeking vines, Trumpet Honeysuckle and Trumpet Vine are magnets for hummingbirds, producing an abundance of high-nectar blooms. Annuals like Petunias, Fuchsias, and Zinnia hybrids with bright red or orange colors can provide continuous feeding stations. Planting these flowers in large groupings, or masses, creates a concentrated visual target that helps the birds easily spot the food source. Focusing on native plant species, when possible, can also increase the appeal, as they are often more recognizable and offer higher nutritional value.