3 Amazing Plants for Hummingbirds

If you plant them, they will come. I'm speaking about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which to my limited bird knowledge, is the only species I ever see in Georgia. These tiny birds seem to be arriving in droves right now, and while many of us supplement their diets with sugar water, I prefer drawing them in with nectar from actual plants, although this too is essentially sugar water. Few things are as fun as seeing them dart around from flower to flower- though I've never been able to photograph them.

The first plant, I'd encourage you to grow is orange jewelweed, or Impatiens capensis. This water-loving native is actually an annual. But, if happy, it can self-seed and persist in boggy locations for many years. If you don't have this kind of habitat, you can grow it near a leaky faucet or in a container that holds plenty of moisture. You can also grow its more adaptable relative, Impatiens balsamina, or touch-me-not. This old-timy heirloom grows tall and is quite unmistakable with its exploding seed pods! While it is also an annual, it can freely self-seed, although I always keep some seed in a paper bag just in case. As a side note, our native jewelweed has historically been used to treat poison ivy rash- this knowledge was first passed on to me by Marsha & Darryl Herren of Olive Forge Herb Farm, which was a seminal place for me as a kid.

My next pick is from the diverse group of plants we call beebalm. Monarda, the genus, is incredibly diverse in form and color. While I'd expect the other species to be as attractive to hummingbirds, I have direct experience seeing them drinking from Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'. This mint relative travels and requires a little coddling in the hot, often droughted south. I have come to the conclusion that it is a "boom and bust"species, meaning it quickly takes off forming a dense patch, but then after a couple of years, it mysteriously declines and disappears. Although a little bit may remain and re-colonize the area. I've found that if you dig up clumps and move them to other suitable places, you can always have robust colonies of beebalm. However, it does require rich soil and plenty of moisture, especially in the hot months.

It would be irresponsible to write about hummingbirds without mentioning possibly their most preferred flower. Salvia guaranitica, or anise sage is hands down the most visited perennial in my garden. The purplish-blue flowers are also a great long-lasting addition to the summer landscape, often starting in May and going till frost! My personal favorite cultivar is 'Van Remsen', which quickly grows into a giant seven-foot-tall monster, great for eye-level viewing. Incidentally, the straight species is much shorter and tends to grow as an ever-widening clump, much like an aggressive lantana or mint. 'Van Remsen', though much taller, is better behaved and won't invade neighbors like other cultivars such as 'Black & Blue'. They grow best in light shade to full-sun with some supplemental moisture. For a different color experience, I'd recommend the elegant pale blue 'Argentina Skies'.