Hummingbirds have a rapid metabolism that necessitates a constant, high-energy diet. They must consume large amounts of sugar throughout the day to support their hovering flight and high heart rate. Attracting these birds requires cultivating plants that meet their physiological needs for quick, concentrated fuel. The most effective bushes have co-evolved with hummingbirds, featuring structures and nectar compositions that are less appealing to competing insects.
Understanding Hummingbird Flower Preferences
The flower characteristics that attract hummingbirds result from evolutionary adaptation favoring bird pollination over insect activity. Hummingbirds prefer warm-toned blooms, particularly those in the red and orange spectrum. This visual preference exists partly because red is poorly perceived by many bees, meaning red flowers often hold a greater, undisturbed store of nectar. Red-pigmented flowers frequently signal the richest reward, which is important during high-energy activities like migration.
The shape of the flower is equally important, as hummingbirds favor long, tubular corollas. This narrow structure accommodates the bird’s long bill and tongue, while excluding most large insects from reaching the nectar deep inside. This morphology ensures the plant’s pollen is effectively transferred by the bird. The nectar itself is a large volume of sugar-rich fluid, providing a high concentration of sucrose, which is the hummingbird’s preferred fuel source.
Essential Bushes for Nectar Production
Several shrub species are known for their abundant, high-quality nectar, making them excellent choices for consistent hummingbird attraction. The glossy abelia, a semi-evergreen shrub, is a favorite due to its numerous small, tubular flowers and long bloom window, providing a continuous food source throughout the summer. Specific rhododendron varieties, such as the Catawba rhododendron, have large, bell-shaped blooms that hummingbirds visit, though they prefer a more tubular structure.
For early-season nectar, the Camellia sasanqua offers blooms from late fall into early spring when other sources are scarce. Bottlebrush Buckeye, a large, shade-tolerant shrub, produces upright, candle-like clusters of white flowers in late spring and early summer that are popular with the birds. The true Bottlebrush (Callistemon) is also attractive, featuring distinctive spikes of bright red flowers that stand out visually.
Shrubs in the honeysuckle family, such as the native Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), are known for their tubular, nectar-laden blossoms. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja), while sometimes controversial depending on the region, offers an abundance of nectar on its long flower spikes. The Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) produces large, ruffled flowers that provide accessible nectar through the late summer season.
Creating a Full Hummingbird Habitat
While nectar is the primary energy source, a successful hummingbird habitat requires more than just flowering bushes to encourage long-term residence. Hummingbirds require shelter for resting and protection from weather and predators, often provided by dense shrubbery or small deciduous trees near their feeding areas. These trees and bushes also provide necessary perches for the territorial birds to survey their feeding grounds.
A fine misting device or a small drip fountain is effective, as hummingbirds prefer to bathe by flying through mist or droplets rather than using a traditional birdbath. Additionally, hummingbirds rely on small insects and spiders for protein, especially when feeding their young. Maintaining a garden ecosystem free of broad-spectrum pesticides supports this protein supply, often found near the dense foliage of native plants.