Hummingbirds are one of the most beloved backyard birds. These tiny dynamos zip from flower to flower in a blur of motion, lapping up nectar with their long, specialized tongues. Because of their high metabolism, hummingbirds need to consume significant amounts of nectar each day to fuel their busy lifestyle. This makes attracting hummingbirds to your yard with suitable flowers an enjoyable endeavor for many gardeners.
One flower that is frequently recommended for attracting hummingbirds is hyacinth bean vine. This fast-growing annual vine produces spikes of purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer. But do hummingbirds really like hyacinth bean vine? And if so, how can you best use this plant to draw hummingbirds to your yard?
What is hyacinth bean vine?
Hyacinth bean vine (Lablab purpureus) is a member of the bean family Fabaceae. It is native to Africa but is now grown as an ornamental plant in many warm regions across the world. The vine can grow quite large, climbing up to 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) in a single season.
The leaves of hyacinth bean vine are alternate and made up of three heart-shaped leaflets that each measure 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. The plant gets its common name from its fragrant purple flowers which are produced on erect, 8-12 inch (20-30 cm) racemes. Each flower has the typical pea-flower shape with a banner, wings, and keel.
The flowers are followed by flattened seed pods around 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. Inside the pods are seeds that resemble beans; however, the seeds are toxic and should not be eaten. In addition to the standard purple-flowered variety, hyacinth bean vine also comes in white and pink-flowered cultivars.
Do hummingbirds visit hyacinth bean vine?
The colorful, nectar-rich flowers of hyacinth bean vine are very attractive to hummingbirds. These tiny birds will happily visit the flowers to feed on their nectar.
Hummingbirds like hyacinth bean vine flowers because they have an appropriate shape for the hummingbird’s feeding method. Hummingbirds access nectar by inserting their specialized long bills and tongues into tube-shaped flowers. The pea-like shape of hyacinth bean flowers, with a hollow banner projecting upward, provides an ideal structure for hummingbirds to reach the nectar.
In addition, hummingbirds are strongly attracted to the color red. While hyacinth bean vine flowers are more purple than red, their rich magenta color is still vibrant enough to catch the attention of passing hummingbirds. The copious amount of nectar produced is also attractive; hummingbirds have high metabolic rates, so they seek out flowers with abundant nectar to fuel their busy lifestyles.
How to attract hummingbirds with hyacinth bean vine
If you’d like to use hyacinth bean vine specifically to attract more hummingbirds to your yard, here are some tips:
Plant in full sun
Hummingbirds are most active in bright sunlight, so it’s best to grow hyacinth bean vine where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun in particular brings hummingbirds out early to start feeding.
Provide a trellis or fence
As a climbing vine, hyacinth bean will grow best if given a trellis, arbor, fence, or other structure to climb on. This will keep the foliage and flowers up off the ground and on display for hummingbirds.
Plant near feeders
Consider planting hyacinth bean vine close to your hummingbird feeders. The nearby flowers will help draw in more hummingbirds that may stop to visit the feeders while they are in the area feeding on the vine.
Add more red flowers
Combine hyacinth bean vine with other red, tubular flowers to make the area even more attractive to hummingbirds. Good options include salvias, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, fuchsia, and nasturtiums.
Don’t use pesticides
Hummingbirds are sensitive to chemicals. Avoid spraying hyacinth bean vine or nearby flowers with pesticides and insecticides which could be harmful to hummingbirds visiting the plants.
Provide a water source
Hummingbirds bathe and drink while visiting flowers. Having a mister, dripper, or shallow bird bath nearby gives them a water source to utilize.
Ideal regions and growing conditions
Hyacinth bean vine thrives in hot summer climates. It can be grown as an annual in any region with frost where suitable conditions exist for a portion of the growing season. Recommended USDA hardiness zones are 9-11.
The vine requires full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Average garden soil amended with compost will provide an ideal growing medium. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation may be needed in hot, dry regions though hyacinth bean vine is moderately drought-tolerant once established.
Seeds can be directly sown in the garden after danger of frost has passed. For quicker blooms, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date, then transplant seedlings out. Space plants 2-3 feet apart.
Hyacinth bean vine grows rapidly once summer heat arrives. Be prepared to provide sturdy trellising for the rampant vines to climb. An arbor or chain link fence works great. Provide regular water while plants are establishing.
Flowers that hummingbirds love
In addition to hyacinth bean vine, there are many other flower varieties that attract hummingbirds. Some of the best include:
| Flower | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bee balm | Red | Tubular |
| Cardinal flower | Red | Tubular |
| Trumpet vine | Orange, red | Tubular |
| Nasturtium | Red, orange, yellow | Funnel shaped |
| Fuchsia | Pink, red | Tubular |
| Salvia | Red | Tubular |
| Petunia | Pink, purple, red | Funnel shaped |
| Canna lily | Red, orange, yellow | Cup shaped |
| Columbine | Red | Spur shaped |
The most attractive flower characteristics to hummingbirds are tubular or funnel-shaped blossoms in bright shades of red, orange, or pink. Very small flowers are also ignored in favor of flowers with adequate nectar volume. Providing a diversity of flower colors, shapes, and bloom seasons will keep hummingbirds visiting your garden year-round.
Other plantings to attract hummingbirds
In addition to planting flowers, you can also incorporate the following types of plants to make your yard even more inviting to hummingbirds:
Fruiting trees/shrubs
Hummingbirds will feed on the sugars found in ripe fruits like oranges, cherries, bananas, and berries. Fruit trees and bushes also provide perching areas.
Native plants
Incorporate native flowers, trees and shrubs. These are best adapted to the local climate and soils. Examples include milkweeds, penstemons, mimulus and sage.
Sap sources
Hummingbirds will drink sap from wells made by sapsuckers on trees like birches and maples. They’ll also feed from trees with naturally exuding sap like gum trees.
Shelter plants
Shrubs and trees with dense foliage like junipers, cedars and cryptomeria provide shelter from wind and rain as well as safe nesting sites.
Feeder perches
Having small trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses near feeders provides convenient perches for hummingbirds to rest between feedings.
When and where do hummingbirds feed?
Hummingbirds are most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Their feeding patterns follow the availability of nectar-producing flowers:
Early morning
Flowers produce the most nectar overnight. Hummingbirds will be up at the crack of dawn to take advantage of the nectar buffet. Planting flowers near east-facing windows ensures the birds will be visible.
Late afternoon
As flowers replenish their nectar stores toward the end of the day, hummingbird activity picks up again. Open areas near west-facing windows allow for late day viewing.
During the day
Flowers in shaded areas tend to hold their nectar longer into the day. Place planters of shade-loving plants like impatiens and begonias in covered areas to spread out feeding.
All day long
Red tubular flowers placed in full sun will attract hummingbirds from dawn to dusk as they produce nectar steadily across the daylight hours.
Tips for attracting hummingbirds
Here are some more tips to help you design your yard for maximum hummingbird appeal:
Provide food year-round
By offering both flowers and feeders, as well as fruiting plants, you can supply food during spring and fall migration seasons as well as summer nesting periods.
Include a water feature
Hummingbirds bathe and sip water several times a day. Having fresh water available from misters, drippers, waterfalls or bird baths is very attractive.
Avoid pesticides
Most chemicals are harmful to hummingbirds. Use organic gardening methods to avoid poisoning the birds or their food sources.
Include shelter plants
Incorporate trees, shrubs and evergreens to provide protected perching, roosting and nesting sites safe from predators and severe weather.
Use red feeders
While any color feeder will get some use, bright red is a hummingbird magnet and will result in the most consistent traffic.
Include a viewing area
Having feeders, water and flowers visible from indoor sitting areas will allow you to comfortably enjoy hummingbird antics through the window.
Do hummingbirds eat anything besides nectar?
Hummingbirds have a liquid-dominant diet, with flower nectar and tree sap making up the majority of their calories. However, they do supplement their diet with small insects which provide essential protein. Here are some other food sources hummingbirds will take advantage of:
Tree sap
In early spring when few flowers are blooming, hummingbirds will drink from sap wells created by sapsuckers.
Insects
Small spiders and insects are captured in mid-air and provide needed protein and fat.
Pollen
Hummingbirds will gather pollen grains from flowers and eat them for a protein boost.
Fruit
Ripe, soft fruits are occasionally eaten for quick energy from natural sugars. Bananas, oranges and berries are favorites.
Sugar water
Backyard feeders supply sucrose and water to fuel hummingbirds on demand. Feeders should be cleaned every few days.
Tree seeds
Tiny seeds from elm, maple and pine trees may provide additional nutrition from oils and proteins.
So while sugary flower nectar makes up the bulk of their diet, hummingbirds will supplement with any small edible nutrients they come across. This helps ensure they meet their high metabolism’s demand for energy.
Conclusion
Hyacinth bean vine, with its long lasting purple blossoms full of nectar, is an excellent choice for attracting and feeding hummingbirds in your yard. Plant it in an area with full sun and give it a trellis to climb. Combine with other tubular red flowers and water sources to create an ideal hummingbird habitat. Getting these energetic little birds to visit your garden is a reward unto itself! With the right plants and flowers, you’ll be enjoying the magic of hummingbirds up close outside your own window.
