Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, which signifies a food source, so marigolds catch their eye. But do hummingbirds also like the smell of marigolds? Let’s explore what attracts hummingbirds to flowers and specifically examine their reaction to marigolds.
What attracts hummingbirds to flowers?
Hummingbirds are primarily attracted to flowers for their nectar. They have evolved long, slender beaks perfectly adapted for reaching into flowers and accessing the sweet nectar inside. Beyond needing nectar for nutrition, hummingbirds also need the sugars in nectar for energy. Their fast heartbeat and high metabolism require they eat frequently to maintain their energy levels.
When seeking out flowers, hummingbirds rely mainly on sight, not smell. They can see colors on the spectrum that humans cannot, which helps them identify flower types from a distance. The color red is particularly noticeable to hummingbirds and serves as a visual cue that a flower may provide food.
Though smell is not a hummingbird’s primary sense, they do have a good sense of smell. This allows them to hone in on flowers once nearby. So while scent may not be what initially attracts a hummingbird to a flower, fragrance likely plays a role in a hummingbird investigating and feeding from a flower.
Do hummingbirds like the smell of marigolds?
Marigolds give off a sweet, citrus-like scent. Floral fragrances usually indicate the presence of nectar to pollinators. So while hummingbirds rely more on sight, the smell of marigolds suggests they may be a good food source.
Specific research into hummingbirds’ reaction to the smell of marigolds is lacking. But we know they can detect fragrance, and marigolds give off a sweet scent that would appeal to a hummingbird’s senses. Once attracted by the sight of vibrant marigolds, hummingbirds likely stick around to feed due to the promising floral aroma.
Characteristics that make marigolds attractive to hummingbirds:
- Bright red, orange, and yellow blooms
- Nectar-rich flowers
- Continuous bloom throughout the season
- Sweet scent
With these attractive qualities, marigolds are an ideal flower for attracting hummingbirds to gardens.
What types of marigolds do hummingbirds like best?
Hummingbirds seem to be most attracted to marigolds with bright red, orange, and yellow blooms. Some specific marigold varieties that are magnets for hummingbirds include:
Triploid marigolds
Triploid marigolds produce large, puffy flowers in vibrant shades. Popular triploid types include Durango and Disco marigolds, which bloom profusely with multiple rows of bright red or yellow petals.
Signet marigolds
Signet marigolds produce delicate single flowers with edible petals. Red and orange varieties like ‘Tangerine Gem’ and ‘Lulu’ are most attractive to hummingbirds.
African marigolds
African marigolds bloom prolifically in sunny gardens with large double flowers in bold yellows, oranges, and reds. Tall varieties like ‘Crackerjack’ reach up to 30 inches tall.
| Marigold Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Triploid | Large, puffy blooms; vibrant red/yellow shades |
| Signet | Delicate single flowers; red/orange shades |
| African | Large double blooms; yellow/orange/red shades |
All marigold types with bright coloring will attract hummingbirds. The redder the blooms, the more alluring they seem to be.
When during the season are marigolds most attractive?
One of the best qualities of marigolds is their ability to bloom continuously all season long. However, there are times when marigolds reach their peak and put on their brightest, boldest floral display:
- Early summer – Marigolds bloom reliably by early summer and provide a burst of color before other mid-to-late summer bloomers emerge.
- Mid-summer – The long days of mid-summer encourage marigolds to produce bloom after bloom.
- Fall – As other flowers fade, marigolds continue shining into the fall months.
By planting early, mid, and late-blooming marigold varieties, you can create a non-stop marigold bonanza in your garden for hummingbirds to enjoy.
Tips for maximizing marigolds’ appeal all season:
- Stagger planting over a few weeks for continuous blooms
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming
- Provide full sun and consistent watering
- Use row covers or shelters to extend the season into winter
Do hummingbirds pollinate marigolds?
Hummingbirds do pollinate marigolds when visiting them to drink nectar. Though they don’t rely on marigolds specifically as a food source, their visits allow pollen to spread from flower to flower.
Characteristics that make hummingbirds effective pollinators for marigolds include:
- Small size allows them to access tubular blooms
- Swift flight allows them to visit many flowers quickly
- Fuzzy bodies collect pollen as they move flower to flower
In return for providing food, marigolds receive pollination services from hummingbirds that help them reproduce and create seeds.
Ways to increase hummingbird pollination of marigolds:
- Plant marigolds in clusters for easier access
- Choose red blooms which especially attract hummingbirds
- Provide additional water sources like drippers or misters
- Include preferred perches like branches or poles nearby
Should marigolds be deadheaded to encourage hummingbirds?
Deadheading spent marigold blooms redirects the plant’s energy into producing more flowers rather than forming seeds. For gardeners who want an endless marigold display to attract hummingbirds, deadheading is recommended.
To deadhead marigolds:
- Pinch or snip off wilted or faded flowers just below the flower head.
- Make cuts above an active leaf node to avoid damaging new growth.
- Remove debris to improve airflow and reduce disease.
- Repeat every few days throughout the season.
| Deadheading Benefits | Non-Deadheading Consequences |
|---|---|
| More flowers | Fewer flowers |
| Longer bloom period | Shorter bloom period |
| Tidier appearance | Scruffy appearance |
For gardeners who want to collect marigold seeds at the end of the season, deadheading can be skipped. But otherwise, routinely removing spent blooms encourages the maximum floral display to feed visiting hummingbirds.
Should you prune marigolds to encourage hummingbirds?
Marigolds generally don’t require heavy pruning to bloom abundantly. But selective pruning at key times can promote bushier, more floriferous plants to bring in more hummingbirds.
Tips for pruning marigolds:
- Pinch or trim off the central stem 2-3 weeks after transplanting to encourage side branch growth and increase number of flowers.
- Remove faded blooms to redirect energy to new blooms (deadheading).
- Cut back any leggy growth midseason to refresh plants.
- Trim plants by 1/3 after main blooming period to encourage fall rebloom.
Avoid heavy shearing or shaping of marigold plants. Light pruning of spent blooms and occasional trimming of overlong stems is all that’s needed to maximize flowers for visiting hummingbirds.
Benefits of pruning marigolds for hummingbirds:
- Pinching/trimming encourages bushier, shorter plants with more flowers in reach.
- Removing spent blooms keeps plants tidier and producing new flowers.
- Cutting leggy or woody stems rejuvenates growth and blooms.
With strategic pruning throughout the season, marigold plants can sustain plentiful, accessible flowers for feeding hummingbirds longer.
Should you stagger-plant marigolds for continuous hummingbird access?
Stagger-planting marigolds over a period of a few weeks results in a longer bloom period. Newly planted marigolds will take the place of aging marigolds, providing a steady supply of flowers.
Steps for effectively stagger-planting marigolds:
- Divide transplanting into 3 batches, 2-3 weeks apart.
- Plant quick-blooming varieties first for early color.
- Interplant mid and late-season types for ongoing blooms.
- Replace declining plants as needed for sustained flower production.
Stagger-planting ensures fresh marigold blooms will keep hummingbirds visiting all season long.
Benefits of stagger-planting marigolds for hummingbirds:
- Extends bloom period from early summer to fall.
- Provides consistent nectar as each batch hits peak bloom.
- Allows planting of early, mid, and late-blooming varieties.
- Creates overlapping bloom for seamless color and nectar.
By dividing marigold planting into multiple rounds, flowers will be available continuously to appeal to hummingbird appetites.
Should you combine marigolds with other hummingbird favorites?
Pairing marigolds with other hummingbird-friendly flowers can provide diverse food sources and make your garden even more appealing.
Great flower partners for marigolds include:
- Nasturtium
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Petunias
- Zinnias
- Salvia
- Columbine
Group these flowers in colorful drifts around marigolds or interplant pairings and clusters for non-stop blooms.
| Hummingbird Favorite | Color | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Nasturtium | Red, orange, yellow | Summer to frost |
| Bee balm | Red | Midsummer |
| Salvia | Red | Summer to frost |
Planting marigolds alongside other hummingbird flowers provides diverse food options and extended bloom periods.
Benefits of combining marigolds with other flowers:
- Broad menu of nectar plants throughout the season
- Colorful drifts and clusters for high visual appeal
- Groupings provide efficient feeding opportunities
- Mix of flower shapes services various pollinators
With marigolds as a foundation, including companion plants creates a vibrant, inviting, and nourishing habitat for hummingbirds.
Conclusion
With their tubular red, orange, and yellow blooms and sweet scent, marigolds are an attractive flower to hummingbirds. Though they rely more on sight, hummingbirds can detect fragrance and are likely drawn in by the promising smell of marigolds. By choosing brightly colored varieties, deadheading spent blooms, stagger planting, and siting marigolds near other hummingbird favorites, you can create a space brimming with flowers to entice these tiny energetic pollinators.
