Selecting flowers that provide meaningful sustenance is key when planting a garden for wildlife. Gardeners often ask whether the popular, showy blooms of the Lilium genus, commonly known as true lilies, are beneficial to hummingbirds. Understanding this relationship requires looking closely at floral structure and the nutritional needs of these tiny, high-energy birds. This exploration helps determine if planting true lilies is an effective strategy for attracting these iridescent pollinators.
Do True Lilies Meet Hummingbird Needs?
Most species within the Lilium genus are not primary attractants for hummingbirds due to their floral architecture. True lilies typically feature wide, open, or bowl-shaped flowers with petals that flare outward, a structure designed for insect-based pollination. These broad blooms offer an easy landing platform for larger pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are the main agents of pollen transfer for many lily varieties. The nectar is often positioned to be easily accessible to these insects, rather than requiring the specialized reach of a hummingbird beak.
Hummingbirds are opportunistic feeders and may occasionally sample any flower with nectar, but the general lily form does not encourage the consistent, high-volume feeding they require. Notable exceptions exist among North American native species, such as the Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) and certain forms of the Tiger Lily (Lilium tigrinum). These specific varieties possess more pendulous, trumpet-like flowers that hang downward, which better accommodates a hovering bird and restricts access for many insects.
The Design of a Hummingbird Pollinator
Hummingbirds rely on a specific floral design that maximizes their energy intake while minimizing competition from other nectar consumers. The most attractive flowers are long and tubular, or trumpet-shaped, perfectly matching the length of a hummingbird’s bill and tongue. This shape forces the bird to brush against the stamen and pistil while feeding, ensuring efficient pollen transfer.
The colors of these flowers are typically in the red and orange spectrum, acting as a powerful visual signal. Hummingbirds possess visual sensitivity in the red end of the spectrum, an adaptation that helps them locate food sources that bees tend to overlook. Nectar produced by these flowers is thin, copious, and high in sucrose, providing the quick energy required for their high metabolism. These specialized flowers often lack a strong fragrance, as hummingbirds do not rely on scent to locate food.
Addressing Common “Lily” Confusion and Better Plant Choices
The common use of the word “lily” often causes confusion, as many plants are not part of the Lilium genus. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) and Canna Lilies are prime examples that are botanically distinct from true lilies. Daylilies, despite their bright colors, are not considered a top-tier hummingbird food source, though they may be visited when other options are scarce.
Canna Lilies are a much better choice, as many varieties feature the tubular, nectar-rich flowers that hummingbirds favor. Their tall, sturdy stalks and large, brightly colored blooms, often in shades of red and orange, make them highly visible and accessible feeding stations. Gardeners seeking reliable hummingbird magnets should focus on true ornithophilous flowers that feature deep, tubular corollas and concentrated nectar:
- Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Salvia
- Trumpet Honeysuckle
- Cardinal Flower