Antirrhinum majus, commonly known as the snapdragon, is a popular garden annual recognized for its vibrant colors and striking, upright flower spikes. These blooms add a vertical element and color throughout the cooler seasons. Hummingbirds are important pollinators, requiring constant feeding from nectar-rich flowers. This prompts an investigation into the relationship between these birds and the snapdragon flower.
The Verdict: Do Snapdragons Attract Hummingbirds?
Snapdragons are considered secondary attractors for hummingbirds; the birds may visit them, but they are not the primary food source. The bright colors, especially red and pink varieties, draw the hummingbirds’ attention from a distance. The flower is tubular, a shape hummingbirds favor, and it contains nectar that can fuel their high metabolism.
The main impediment is the flower’s unique morphology, which is not optimized for a hummingbird’s bill. A classic snapdragon has a “closed mouth” structure, requiring a heavier insect, like a bumblebee, to compress the lower lip to gain access to the nectar deep inside. A hovering hummingbird often lacks the weight or leverage to force the flower open efficiently. However, modern hybrid varieties, particularly those with a more open face or dwarf types, are more accessible. The ‘Twinny Peach’ snapdragon, for example, is noted for its open florets, making the nectar easier for a hummingbird to reach.
What Makes a Flower Appealing to Hummingbirds?
Flowers that appeal most strongly to hummingbirds have evolved traits known as ornithophily, ensuring the bird is the primary pollinator. Color is the initial draw, with red, orange, and deep pink hues being the most effective, as hummingbirds see these colors well and many insects do not. This visual preference helps the birds quickly locate a reliable food source.
The most important feature is the shape of the bloom, which is elongated and tubular, perfectly matching the length of the hummingbird’s slender bill. This deep, narrow structure often excludes larger insects, reserving the nectar supply for the bird. Hummingbird-pollinated flowers produce nectar with a high sucrose concentration, providing the energy needed to sustain the bird’s high metabolism.
These flowers often lack a wide landing platform, forcing the bird to hover while feeding. This hovering ensures the bird’s head contacts the anthers and stigma, facilitating pollen transfer. The combination of a deep, tubular shape, lack of landing surfaces, and high-quality nectar establishes a dedicated feeding station.
Alternative Blooms for Your Hummingbird Garden
Since snapdragons are not the most reliable attractors, gardeners seeking a dedicated hummingbird habitat should focus on proven, nectar-rich alternatives. The genus Salvia (Sage) is effective, with many varieties producing long, slender flowers in preferred colors like red and purple. Monarda (Bee Balm) offers uniquely shaped, tubular blooms that attract hummingbirds.
Vining plants are excellent choices, such as Lonicera sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle), which has bright red or orange tubular flowers. For containers, tubular Petunia varieties, particularly single-flowered types, provide a continuous supply of nectar. Impatiens are valuable for attracting hummingbirds in shadier garden spots.
To maximize the garden’s appeal, plants should be grouped in large patches, or “drifts,” of the same species to create a highly visible food target. Select a variety of plants with staggered bloom times, ensuring a continuous nectar source from early spring through late fall migration. Avoiding systemic pesticides is necessary, as these chemicals can contaminate the nectar and harm the birds.