The Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a common, late-blooming woody shrub often featured in residential gardens. Its large, colorful flowers make it a popular landscape choice across many temperate regions. While many gardeners wonder if this shrub is a true hummingbird magnet, the direct answer is that hummingbirds will certainly use the flowers, but the Rose of Sharon is generally not considered their preferred or primary source of nectar. It serves as an opportunistic food source, especially later in the summer season when other options may be less plentiful.
The Hummingbird-Rose of Sharon Connection
Hummingbirds regularly visit the Rose of Sharon, finding several uses for the plant beyond just a quick sip of nectar. The flat, open structure of the blossoms allows for extremely easy access to the center, where the nectar glands are located. This accessibility makes the shrub a convenient feeding stop when a hummingbird is foraging in the area.
Beyond the sugar reward, the shrub provides an important secondary food source: protein. The large, showy flowers attract many small insects, such as gnats and aphids, which the hummingbirds actively hunt and consume. The dense, tall growth of the shrub also offers safe perching spots and shelter, allowing the birds to rest and survey their feeding territory between energy-intensive flights.
Why Rose of Sharon Isn’t a Primary Food Source
Adaptation and Structure
The physical structure of the Rose of Sharon flower is not specifically adapted for hummingbird pollination, which is why it is not a specialist plant. Hummingbirds have evolved to favor long, tubular flowers, such as those found on trumpet vines or salvias. The tubular shape forces the bird to insert its bill deeply, ensuring pollen transfer while providing a protected nectar reservoir.
Color and Timing
In contrast, the Hibiscus syriacus flower is wide and open, allowing many different pollinators, including bees and butterflies, to access the nectar. This open structure means the shrub is a generalist pollinator plant, rather than one optimized for the hummingbird’s long, slender bill. Furthermore, the flower colors of many cultivated varieties are white or pale, which are less attractive to hummingbirds than the vibrant reds and oranges they can perceive easily. The Rose of Sharon becomes particularly important because it blooms heavily from mid-to-late summer, providing a reliable food source when other spring and early summer flowers have faded.
Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Landscape
Gardeners who already have Rose of Sharon can easily enhance their yard to maximize hummingbird visits by incorporating complementary plants. Planting native flowers with a true tubular structure nearby will provide the high-value nectar source that hummingbirds actively seek. Excellent choices include plants like cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) or bee balm (Monarda didyma), which offer the red coloring and deep corollas that hummingbirds favor.
Ensuring a layered landscape also makes the environment more appealing. Placing the Rose of Sharon near lower-growing nectar sources creates a gradient of feeding opportunities and provides nearby shelter for the birds.
It is important to maintain a pesticide-free environment, as hummingbirds depend on the small insects found on plants for their essential protein intake. Providing a shallow water source, like a mister or bubbler, can attract hummingbirds, as they enjoy bathing in fine sprays of water.