The Relationship Between Hummingbirds and Petunias
Hummingbirds and petunias have a very close relationship in the wild. Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to the bright colors and sweet nectar produced by petunia flowers. The petunia benefits from this relationship through the pollination services provided by the hummingbird. This allows petunias to reproduce and spread. So both the hummingbird and the petunia get something positive out of their interaction.
Why Hummingbirds Are Attracted to Petunias
Hummingbirds feed on the nectar inside flowers through their long, slender beaks. They are attracted to flowers with bright red colors as these colors stand out and signal that nectar is available. Petunias have bright, vivid red, purple, and pink flowers which attract hummingbirds. The tubular shape of the petunia flower also perfectly matches the long beak of a hummingbird, making it easy for them to feed. In addition, petunias produce a sweeter, more calorie-dense nectar which hummingbirds favor as an energy source.
How Petunias Benefit from Hummingbirds
When a hummingbird feeds from a flower, pollen sticks to its beak and head. When it travels to the next flower, some of this pollen rubs off onto that plant. This allows cross-pollination between different petunia plants. Without pollination, petunias could not reproduce through seeds. Hummingbirds are one of the primary pollinators of petunias in the wild. The transportation of pollen allows petunias to spread and produce new generations of plants. So the hummingbird plays a key role in the reproduction and evolutionary success of petunias.
Providing Petunias as a Food Source for Hummingbirds
Based on this mutually beneficial wild relationship, petunias can be used to attract and feed hummingbirds in gardens. Here are some tips for using petunias to nourish hummingbirds:
Choosing the Right Petunia Varieties
For attracting hummingbirds, choose petunia varieties with bright red, pink, or purple blossoms. Good options include:
– Wave petunias – These have a cascading, spreading habit that produces hundreds of vivid red blooms.
– Supertunia petunias – These grow rapidly with lots of bright, trumpet-shaped flowers.
– Hurrah petunias – These produce abundant blooms in reds and purples on mounded plants.
Avoid petunias with lighter or pastel-colored flowers, as these are less attractive to hummingbirds.
Providing Adequate Nectar Production
Deadheading spent petunia blooms encourages the plant to continuously produce new flowers. This ensures a steady supply of nectar. Avoid overfertilizing petunias as high nitrogen levels can decrease nectar production. Make sure petunias receive adequate sunlight and water to support growth and blooming.
Using Strategic Placement
Place red petunias near special hummingbird feeding stations or water sources in the garden. This will draw hummingbirds close to the petunias. Having a continuous patch of petunias also allows hummingbirds to easily move between multiple nectar sources. Try positioning petunias near hummingbird-friendly plants like fuchsias, cannas, and sage to create a buffet of options.
Providing Other Habitat Needs
In addition to nectar sources, hummingbirds need shelter and nesting spots. Having trees, shrubs, and vines near petunia plants gives hummingbirds places to perch and rest. They may also collect spider silk and lichen from trees for nest building. Providing a water mister or dripline creates drinking spots for hummingbirds to supplement their nectar diet.
Being Patient
It may take a few weeks for hummingbirds to discover and become accustomed to new flower patches. But with strategic petunia planting and patience, you can successfully attract these energetic pollinators to your garden.
Petunia Varieties that Attract Hummingbirds
If you want to plant petunias specifically to feed hummingbirds, here are some top varieties to consider:
| Petunia Variety | Flower Color | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Black Velvet Petunia | Dark velvety purple | Dark flowers attractive to hummingbirds, heat tolerant |
| Dreams Red Petunia | Vivid red | Continuous bright red blooms, mounded habit |
| Supertunia Vista Bubblegum | Bright pink | Abundant blooms, trailing habit |
| Supertunia Vista Paradise | Bright fuchsia pink | Dense cascading flowers |
| Sweetunia Johnny Flame | Deep red | Intense red trumpet flowers |
These hybrids produce prolific flowers in the hot red, pink, and purple shades that attract hummingbird activity. Planting a combination of several varieties extends the flowering season to feed hummingbirds all summer long.
Tips for Growing Petunias to Attract Hummingbirds
Here are some useful cultivation tips to grow vigorous, blooming petunias that will bring hummingbirds to your garden:
Soil Requirements
Petunias grow best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Improve drainage by mixing in compost or peat moss if your soil is heavy clay. Petunias are sensitive to high salt levels so avoid overfertilizing.
Sunlight Needs
Plant petunias where they will get full sun for at least 6 hours per day, ideally 8 hours. Areas that receive morning sun produce the most flowers. Insufficient sunlight causes leggy, weak growth.
Watering
Established petunia plants need 1-2 inches of water per week from rain or irrigation. Water at the base avoiding overhead watering on flowers. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings. Proper watering encourages flowering.
Fertilization
Use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 at planting time. Fertilize plants monthly with a bloom-boosting formula higher in phosphorus and potassium. Excess nitrogen reduces blooming.
Deadheading
Pinch or snip off spent blooms regularly to promote new flower production. Trailing types may need daily deadheading. Remove entire flower stalks on mounded varieties.
Pruning
Prune leggy growth in early summer to encourage bushiness. Cut back trailing petunias by 1/3 their length to refresh growth. Remove damaged foliage and flowers.
Conclusion
In their natural setting, hummingbirds and petunias have evolved a mutualistic relationship where both species benefit. Hummingbirds gain a nutritious nectar source from petunias while simultaneously pollinating the flowers to allow seed production and plant spread. You can harness this special interaction in your own garden by planting petunias designed to attract hummingbirds. With the right petunia varieties, proper care and strategic placement, you can fill your garden with the flash of color and remarkable hovering flight of hummingbirds all season long. The efforts spent cultivating petunias will not only nourish these unique pollinators, but also allow you to observe one of nature’s most fascinating partnerships up close.
