Hummingbirds are attracted to the color blue more than any other color. This is because the tubular blue flowers they feed from, like hydrangeas, are easier for them to see. The blue color stands out amongst green leaves, helping hummingbirds quickly identify food sources. Additionally, blue flowers tend to carry more nectar, which is the main food source for hummingbirds.
Hydrangeas specifically have some key traits that make them attractive to hummingbirds. The tubular shape of the flowers gives hummingbirds easy access to nectar. Also, many hydrangea varieties bloom throughout the summer, providing a consistent food source. Finally, hydrangeas produce a large quantity of nectar, which appeals to hummingbirds’ high metabolisms and energy needs.
Do Hummingbirds Have Color Vision?
Yes, hummingbirds have excellent color vision that allows them to see a wide spectrum of colors including blue. Their eyes contain four types of color-sensing cone cells compared to three in human eyes. This gives hummingbirds an enhanced ability to detect color variation.
Research shows hummingbirds can see into the ultraviolet spectrum, detecting colors not visible to humans. Their perception of color includes both the shade of the color and iridescent properties. This advanced color vision helps hummingbirds identify nutritious flowers amid dense vegetation.
Key Facts About Hummingbird Vision
- Hummingbirds see more colors than humans including ultraviolet light
- They have four types of cone cells compared to three in human eyes
- Their vision is specialized to detect color variation at close distances
- Iridescent petals that reflect UV light attract hummingbirds
- Brightly colored tubular flowers are preferred for their nectar
What Colors Attract Hummingbirds The Most?
Hummingbirds are most attracted to the color red, followed by orange and pink flowers. Blue is another obvious color that appeals to hummingbirds due to their color vision perceiving blue shades clearly against green foliage.
While hummingbirds visit flowers of all colors to drink nectar, research shows they preferentially visit reddish tubular blossoms. This is likely because red flowers are associated with offering energetic nectar rewards.
| Color | Attractiveness Rating |
|---|---|
| Red | 9.5/10 |
| Orange | 8/10 |
| Pink | 8/10 |
| Blue | 7.5/10 |
| Purple | 7/10 |
| Yellow | 5/10 |
| Green | 4/10 |
This table summarizes the typical attractiveness of flower colors to hummingbirds based on preferential feeding visits in observations. Red ranks as the top color, with more neutral shades of orange, pink, blue and purple also highly attracting hummingbirds.
Ideal Flower Traits That Attract Hummingbirds
- Tube or bell-shaped blossoms for easy access to nectar
- Bright, conspicuous petals in shades of red, orange, pink
- Continuous bloom throughout the seasons
- High nectar volume and sugar concentration
- Native plant species co-adapted with hummingbirds
Do Blue Hydrangeas Attract Hummingbirds?
Yes, blue hydrangeas are an excellent flower for attracting hummingbirds in the garden. The tubular cluster of blue blossoms contains abundant nectar appealing to hummingbirds. Here are a few reasons why blue hydrangeas attract these pollinators:
- Abundant nectar – Hydrangea blooms produce a rich concentration of sugary nectar, which hummingbirds depend on.
- Tubular blooms – The cone-shaped bloom provides easy access for hummingbirds to extract nectar.
- Color contrast – Blue stands out against green foliage, signaling color-sensitive hummingbirds.
- Continuous bloom – Hydrangeas flower from mid-summer into fall, providing ongoing food.
- Native species – Native hydrangea varieties like oakleaf are preferred by native hummingbirds.
Additionally, the compact rounded shape of hydrangea shrubs gives hummingbirds protection. This allows them to feed on the nectar safely without expending extra energy watching for predators.
Blue Hydrangea Varieties That Attract Hummingbirds
| Hydrangea Variety | Flower Color | Bloom Time | Hummingbird Attractiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigleaf | Blue or Pink | Mid Summer – Fall | High |
| Oakleaf | White | Spring – Summer | High |
| Climbing | Blue or White | Summer – Fall | High |
| Smooth | Blue | Summer – Fall | Moderate |
This table compares different blue hydrangea varieties and their attractiveness to hummingbirds. Bigleaf, oakleaf, and climbing hydrangeas are highly recommended for their long bloom times, flower colors, and abundant nectar.
Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds to Blue Hydrangeas
Here are some useful tips to maximize the number of hummingbirds that visit blue hydrangea plants in your garden:
- Plant clusters of 3-5 hydrangea shrubs together to create a larger food source display.
- Choose both early and late-blooming varieties to provide nectar spring through fall.
- Include other tubular flowers nearby such as foxglove, trumpet vine, and honeysuckle.
- Avoid pesticides that could be ingested by hummingbirds drinking nectar.
- Supplement with hummingbird feeders using a 4:1 sugar water ratio.
- Provide a water feature like a fountain, mister, or bird bath for drinking and bathing.
- Site hydrangeas in partial shade as hummingbirds like dappled sunlight conditions.
By following these tips, the blue hydrangeas in your garden can become a protected habitat filled with hummingbird activity. Observing these energetic pollinators up close as they dart from flower to flower will add liveliness and wonder to your landscape.
Key Factors That Attract Hummingbirds to Gardens
- An abundance of nectar-rich, tubular flowers
- Multiple groupings of nectar plants together
- Continuous bloom from spring through fall
- Presence of small trees, shrubs, and vines
- Water sources for drinking and bathing
- Protected locations away from strong wind and rain
- Partial sun exposure with some shade areas
- Native plants adapted to pollination by hummingbirds
Do Hummingbirds Pollinate Hydrangeas?
Hummingbirds serve as one of the main pollinators of hydrangea plants. As they move from flower to flower feeding on nectar, pollen grains stick to their feathers and heads. This pollen is then transferred to the pistils of other hydrangea blooms, enabling cross-pollination.
Some key facts about hummingbird pollination of hydrangeas:
- Hummingbirds favor the high-energy nectar from hydrangeas
- Their hovering behavior allows them to access tubular blooms
- Long beaks and tongues are adapted to nectar-feeding
- Swift flight permits pollination across broad areas
- Grooved tongues effectively collect and transport pollen
- Hummingbird vision pinpoints hydrangea flowers
- Small size lets them pollinate without damaging blooms
This mutualistic relationship benefits both hummingbirds who receive nourishment, and hydrangeas who depend on hummingbirds for reproduction.
Other Pollinators of Hydrangeas
In addition to hummingbirds, other types of pollinators help hydrangeas reproduce and form seed capsules. Bees, moths, butterflies, and beetles also transport pollen from one hydrangea plant to another. However, hummingbirds are the most effective cross-pollinator of hydrangeas based on their constant nectar-feeding and specialized physical traits.
How Do Hummingbirds Feed From Hydrangeas?
Hummingbirds have an ideal feeding method for obtaining nectar from the tubular hydrangea blooms. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Hover in front of the hydrangea cluster, using fast-beating wings to stay suspended in air.
- Insert long beak and extended tongue deep into each flower to reach the nectar.
- Use tongue to lap up nectar, curling edges to collect it.
- Stick head directly into blooms to get closer to nectar source.
- Move quickly from flower to flower, feeding for just seconds at each one.
- Periodically perch to rest before resuming feeding.
- Nestle into shrub branches for protection while feeding.
This specialized feeding method takes advantage of the hummingbird’s unique physical adaptations. Their flying and hovering ability gives them continuous access to nectar from multiple angles. Their long, slender beak and tongue can probe deep into each tubular bloom.
Fascinating Hummingbird Feeding Facts
- Hummingbird tongues have forked tips to lap up more nectar.
- They take approximately 13 licks per second from each flower.
- Up to half their weight can be from nectar each day.
- They consume up to 8 times their body weight in nectar daily.
- A single hummingbird visits 1000 to 2000 flowers per day.
- Nectar provides essential glucose for their high metabolism.
- Ultraviolet vision helps locate nectar guides on flowers.
Do Blue Hydrangeas Provide Good Habitat?
Yes, blue hydrangea shrubs create excellent habitat for hummingbirds by providing food, shelter, and nesting sites. Features that make them good habitat include:
- Dense foliage – Gives cover from predators and weather while feeding and resting.
- Tubular flowers – Nectar source hummingbirds are specially adapted to feed from.
- Long bloom period – Supplies nectar consistently spring through fall.
- Short, compact shape – Allows easy access to flowers while being protected.
- Branch clusters – Provides nesting platforms and small cavities for nests.
By planting clusters of hydrangeas, you can create a rich habitat filled with food, shelter, and nesting areas to attract more hummingbirds to your garden.
Other Plants That Enhance Hummingbird Habitat
While blue hydrangeas form excellent habitat alone, combining them with other plants can create an even more attractive sanctuary for hummingbirds. Some other good options include:
- Native honeysuckles – For nectar
- Bee balm – For nectar
- Trumpet vines – For nectar
- Oaks – For nesting sites
- Firs – For nesting sites
- Foxglove – For nectar
- Penstemon – For nectar
- Sages – For nectar
- Fuschias – For nectar
Mixing flower shapes, colors, and bloom times will provide diverse nectar flows. Adding small trees fills habitat requirements for nesting, feeding, and shelter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blue hydrangeas are magnets for attracting hummingbirds to gardens and providing excellent habitat. Their tubular blue blossoms produce copious amounts of sugary nectar that hummingbirds rely on to fuel their metabolisms. The shrubs also offer protected places for hummingbirds to nest and rest. By planting clusters of early and late blooming hydrangea varieties, you can create a vibrant space filled with the wonder of these specialized pollinators.
