Hummingbirds are attracted to bright, tubular flowers that provide nectar. Some of their favorite flowers are native wildflowers, but ornamental garden plants like nasturtiums can also attract these tiny birds. So do nasturtiums actually attract hummingbirds? Let’s take a closer look.
Quick Facts About Nasturtiums and Hummingbirds
Nasturtiums are annual flowers that come in a range of brilliant colors like red, orange, yellow, and peach. They have a spur behind each flower that contains nectar. Hummingbirds have long slender bills that are perfect for reaching into the spur to access the nectar.
Hummingbirds get most of their energy from drinking nectar. They have very high metabolisms and need to consume a lot of nectar daily in order to survive. Hummingbirds are constantly on the search for flowers that provide their preferred fuel.
So with their color, tubular shape, and nectar spur, nasturtiums seem like they would appeal to hummingbirds. But will hummingbirds visit nasturtiums in your garden? Let’s explore further.
Do Nasturtiums Produce Enough Nectar to Interest Hummingbirds?
Even though nasturtiums contain nectar, some sources indicate they may not produce enough to be worth a hummingbird’s effort. It takes a lot of energy for hummingbirds to fly from flower to flower. They want to maximize their nectar consumption while minimizing energy expenditure.
Native wildflowers that hummingbirds have co-evolved with often produce more nectar than ornamental flowers like nasturtiums. If a hummingbird has a choice between a native flower patch and a bed of nasturtiums, it will likely pick the native flowers with their greater nectar reward.
Comparing Nectar Production
One study analyzed the sucrose content in the nectar of ornamental flowers compared to native flowers. The researchers found that native flowers had significantly higher sucrose content than ornamental flowers:
| Flower Type | Avg. Sucrose Content (μg/flower) |
|---|---|
| Native | 1398 |
| Ornamental | 205 |
The sucrose content shows how much nectar sugar is present in each flower. This study suggests native flowers have almost 7 times more nectar than ornamentals like nasturtiums. From the hummingbird’s perspective, it’s more profitable to visit the native flowers.
When Will Hummingbirds Visit Nasturtiums?
Hummingbirds still may visit nasturtiums, but it depends on the availability of other food sources. Here are some scenarios when you’re most likely to see hummingbirds feeding on nasturtiums:
- In early spring when few other flowers are in bloom
- In urban or suburban areas where native plants are less abundant
- When nasturtiums are planted near other hummingbird attracting flowers
- When nasturtium plantings are large with dense patches of flowers.
Hummingbirds will make use of any food source they can find. Even if nasturtiums aren’t their top choice, hummingbirds will visit them if there are no better options. You’re more likely to see them feeding on nasturtiums when native flowers aren’t as readily available.
Tips for Using Nasturtiums to Attract Hummingbirds
While nasturtiums alone may not be reliable hummingbird magnets, you can use them as part of your hummingbird garden plan. Here are some tips:
- Plant nasturtiums near tubular flowers like fuchsias, salvias, penstemons, and sages that offer more nectar.
- Choose nasturtium varieties with double flowers. The extra petals retain more nectar in the spur.
- Water nasturtiums regularly so the plants produce an abundance of flowers.
- Plant large patches of nasturtiums rather than just a few scattered plants.
- Choose bold, bright colors like red or orange that attract hummingbird attention.
- Train nasturtiums on trellises or walls so the flowers are elevated in the hummingbird sight line.
By following these tips, you can use nasturtiums to complement other hummingbird friendly flowers in your garden. The colorful nasturtium blossoms will help attract hummingbirds and the nearby tubular flowers will provide a nectar reward.
Other Ornamentals that Attract Hummingbirds
In addition to nasturtiums, there are other flowering ornamentals that can attract hummingbirds to your garden. Some top options include:
- Bee balm (Monarda species)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Columbine (Aquilegia species)
- Coral bells (Heuchera species)
- Delphinium
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Fuchsia
- Impatiens
- Petunia
- Salvia
- Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea)
- Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
- Verbena
- Weigela
Many of these flowersproduce more nectar than nasturtiums. Including a mix of ornamentals with native plants will help make your yard attractive to hummingbirds throughout the seasons.
Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
Here are some native wildflowers that hummingbirds love:
| Flower | Region |
|---|---|
| Columbine | Western North America |
| Trumpet vine | Eastern North America |
| Paintbrush | Western North America |
| Fire pink | Eastern North America |
| Indian paintbrush | Western North America |
Check with your local native plant society or extension office for recommendations on the best native hummingbird plants for your region. Adding native species to your yard or garden is one of the most effective ways to attract more hummingbirds.
Conclusion
Nasturtiums alone are not the most reliable way to attract hummingbirds. Their limited nectar production means hummingbirds may not visit them unless better food sources are scarce. However, planting nasturtiums near other tubular flowers can help incorporate them into a habitat that sustains hummingbirds. Combine beautiful nasturtiums with plenty of native plants and high-nectar ornamentals for the best results in luring hummingbirds to your garden.
