You can hear hummingbirds coming from a distance. They swoop into your garden with a buzz and a hum as they dart from bloom to bloom. On average, the hummingbird moves its wings 53 times per second! These tiny birds have the ability to hover in mid-air as they gather nectar from their favorite flowers. Generally, hummingbirds are attracted to flowering vines by the color of the flowers and by the amount of nectar produced.
How Do Hummingbirds Help a Garden?
Hummingbirds love feeding on cypress vine, which does well in both dry and wet soil conditions.
As they retrieve nectar from multiple flowers, hummingbirds pollinate the plants in your garden or yard. Additionally, hummingbirds eat insects that can harm your plants like aphids and thrips. If you’re interested in drawing these birds into your outdoor spaces, planting one or more of these vines will act as a welcome sign to those beautiful creatures!
Trumpet Vine ( Campsis radicans L. )
Because of its quick growth and thick leaves, the trumpet vine is also referred to as “Devil’s Shoestring.”
The trumpet vine is one of two plants commonly known as the “hummingbird vine.” Its tube-shaped red-orange flowers grow up to three inches in length. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are especially attracted to trumpet vine. Some vines reach 50 feet in length! Trumpet vine is hailed for its ability to slow soil erosion. The plant uses sticky tendrils to attach itself to whatever surface it can find, eventually causing damage to materials like stone, wood, and brick. Consider planting the vine away from vital structures to minimize that threat.
Cypress Vine ( Ipomoea quamoclit )
Cypress vines are delicate and often need a trellis for support.
Also referred to as “hummingbird vine,” the cypress vine begins exhibiting red star-shaped flowers in June. Hummingbirds and butterflies love the flowers of the cypress vine. Unlike the trumpet vine, the cypress vine structure is frail and needs support. Accordingly, provide a trellis or some similar structure to help the vine reach its maximum potential. Cypress vine produces lots of seeds after the blooms have faded. You could eventually see new growth wind out during the next growing season!
Trumpet Honeysuckle ( Lonicera sempervirens )
Trumpet honeysuckle is evergreen, with the leaves keeping a vibrant color throughout the winter months.
When springtime brings about the cylindrical flowers of the trumpet honeysuckle , hummingbirds will show up to enjoy the bounty! Trumpet honeysuckle blooms are red on the outside with a yellow interior. The plant reaches approximately 30 feet in length. Trumpet honeysuckle is a climber but, like the cypress vine, it needs a structure to wrap itself around. Failing that, trumpet honeysuckle can be used as groundcover. Trumpet honeysuckle plants produce red berries, and eating them may seem like a good idea. Just say no! They can cause an upset stomach.
Crossvine ( Bignonia capreolata L.)
Cross-like markings found within the stem give this plant its name.
Crossvines can grow to a length of 50 feet or more! That provides plenty of flowers for hummingbirds to visit. In the spring, hummingbirds like to drink nectar from crossvine blooms. There’s no need for an external structure. Crossvines use their adhesive tendrils to spread and climb. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are especially drawn to the crossvine’s orange flowers. Use caution and forethought when planting crossvine around homes or buildings. Crossvine has been designated a highly flammable plant!
Purple Passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata )
The Cherokee called passionflower fruit “old field apricots” and incorporated them into their diet.
The delicate purple passionflowers are enchanting for nature lovers. Hummingbirds act as pollinators for passionflowers, helping the plant to thrive. Passionflowers can achieve up to 25 feet in length. Usually purple, the flowers resemble strands of long hair. Some people refer to passionflowers as “ maypops .” When you step on the fruit of the passionflower, it “may pop” with a loud noise!
Scarlet Runner Bean Vine ( Phaseolus coccineus )
Scarlet runner beans are similar to green beans, but they have tougher skins.
Hummingbirds are enticed by the red flowers of the scarlet runner bean vine . This plant may surprise you with how large it gets. Vine length can vary between six feet up to 15 feet or longer! Staking these vines will give them room to grow. Blooms pop open in the daytime and close at night. Often used as an ornamental plant, scarlet runner bean vines grow best in full sun. After the flowers fade, the plant produces edible bean pods!
This vine’s bright yellow blooms resemble a canary’s wings, hence the name. Flowering begins in summer, the perfect time for hummingbirds to stop in during their hunt for nectar. The canary creeper vine is a climbing plant that reaches heights upwards of 12 feet. While the canary creeper vine does well in full sun, it can tolerate partially shady conditions. It also excels in poor soil conditions.
It may not be the best-smelling flower in the garden, but figwort brings in a wide variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds. Figwort grows to an average height of six feet tall. Blooms are small and colorful, ranging in color from indigo to white. Damp soil is the best-growing medium for figwort. Historically, figwort has been used as a natural remedy for tumors and lymphatic disorders.
Rocktrumpet ( Mandevilla spp.)
Cut back your rocktrumpets early in the growing season to avoid destroying potential buds.
Known by the common name, rocktrumpet, this flower belongs to the Mandevilla genus. Rocktrumpet blooms are conical, like the bell of a horn. Hummingbirds dip their long beaks into the bloom to reach the nectar that lies within. In the right conditions, including well-draining soil and a warm humid climate, rocktrumpets can reach 10 feet in length. Additionally, rocktrumpets can be placed in a container and brought inside for the winter. Keep them out of reach of your pets and toddlers. Rocktrumpets are known to be toxic to cats, dogs , horses , and humans.
Prolific bloomers, clematis display variegated star-shaped flowers in a variety of colors. The sheer number of blooms a clematis produces attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. A prodigious climber, clematis can reach a height of 12 feet. Support structures, like trellises or arbors, may be necessary to help your plant thrive. Don’t be discouraged if your clematis doesn’t take off during the first year. It takes as long as three years for the plant’s root system to become well-established. Clematis requires at least six hours of full sun during the day, so keep that in mind when deciding where your clematis will live.
Morning Glory ( Ipomoea purpurea )
The blooms of the morning glory can vary wildly in color.
Morning glory plants are beloved for their gorgeous blooms, which open in the morning and close in the afternoon. New trumpet-shaped flowers appear on the morning glory every day, making the plant ideal for hummingbirds in their daily search for nectar. Noted for its quick growth, morning glories reach heights of up to 10 feet. Careful pruning will keep morning glories from overreaching their assigned space in your garden.
Firecracker Vine ( Ipomoea lobata )
The firecracker vine is also known as the “Spanish Flag” because of its colorful resemblance to the flag of Spain.
With a limited hardiness zone rating in the U.S., firecracker vine is best grown in the hotter southern states. Firecracker vine flowers begin to appear in July and they are highly attractive to hummingbirds! The coloration of the blooms fades from red to yellow, resembling a celebratory firecracker lit and ready to throw. Firecracker vines can grow up to 16 feet long! Full sun is best for the firecracker vine. Additionally, overwatering the firecracker vine encourages root rot.
Your Patience Will Be Rewarded
Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds on Earth, with most only weighing a few grams.
Like most adventures in birdwatching, the appearance of hummingbirds in your garden is a waiting game. However, once hummingbirds discover the flowering vines they love, they’ll be back. Odds are, they’ll bring others with them!
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