Hummingbirds are a joy to watch as they flutter around sipping nectar from colorful flowers. If you want to attract these tiny creatures to your yard or patio in Texas, planting flowers that appeal to them is key. The good news is that certain potted plants will lure hummingbirds in for a visit.
Why Do Hummingbirds Like Nectar-Producing Flowers?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from drinking nectar. They have long skinny beaks and tongues that are perfectly designed for reaching into tubular flowers and lapping up the sugary nectar inside.Hummingbirds need to consume a huge amount of calories every day just to survive due to their incredibly fast metabolism. The nectar from flowers provides an excellent energy source.
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds get some nutrition from eating small insects as a source of protein. But the majority of their diet, and the main reason they visit flower gardens, is to drink nectar.
Ideal Nectar-Producing Plants
Certain characteristics make a flowering plant ideal for attracting hummingbirds:
- Bright, saturated colors like red, orange, pink, purple, or white
- Tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers
- Plenty of nectar
Trees, shrubs, vines, and annuals that fit this description are perfect for hummingbird gardens. Here are some top picks that do well in pots and planters:
Annuals
| Plant | Description |
|---|---|
| Scarlet sage | Produces vibrant red tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. |
| Lantana | A heat-loving annual that blooms with clusters of brightly colored flowers. |
| Petunias | Choose single-flower varieties in bright, solid colors. |
| Impatiens | Does well in shade with flowers in red, white, pink, purple, coral. |
| Fuchsia | Attractive hanging flower clusters in pink, red, and purple. |
| Geranium | Sturdy, heat-loving annual with mound-shaped flowers. |
| Nasturtium | Trailing vines with trumpet-shaped blooms in orange, red, and yellow. |
| Verbena | Clusters of tiny flowers in reds, purples, blues, pinks, and white. |
Perennials
| Plant | Description |
|---|---|
| Butterfly weed | Native perennial with bright orange blooms June through September. |
| Columbine | Delicate-looking flowers with curled spurs full of nectar. |
| Coral bells | Features colorful foliage and lightly scented blooms. |
| Bee balm | A mint family plant with tubular flowers hummingbirds love. |
| Salvia | Many salvia varieties produce the tubular blooms hummingbirds favor. |
Shrubs and Vines
| Plant | Description |
|---|---|
| Firespike | A hummingbird magnet with brilliant red blooms spring through fall. |
| Honeysuckle | A fragrant vine that produces tubular flowers. |
| Trumpet vine | An aggressive grower with orange-red, trumpet-shaped blooms. |
| Flowering quince | Early spring bloomer with red, pink, orange, or white flowers. |
| Abelia | A semi-evergreen shrub with light fragrant flowers. |
| Bottlebrush | Produces bright red blooms resembling bottle brushes. |
Trees
| Plant | Description |
|---|---|
| Mimosa | Features delicate pink puffy blooms in mid to late summer. |
| Crape myrtle | A handsome summer-blooming tree with flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. |
| Rose of Sharon | Flowers resemble colorful hibiscus blooms. |
Growing Tips for Potted Hummingbird Plants
If you want to attract hummingbirds using container gardens, follow these tips:
- Choose large pots or planters so the plants have room to grow.
- Use a quality potting mix and provide nutrients with a slow-release fertilizer or compost.
- Give plants at least 6 hours of sun daily.
- Water whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Prune back leggy growth to encourage new flowers.
- For non-hardy plants, bring containers indoors before first frost.
- Choose a variety of plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall.
- Don’t use insecticides that can harm hummingbirds.
- Set out a feeder with sugar water to provide extra nectar.
Ideal Placement to Attract Hummingbirds
To increase your chances of hummingbirds discovering your potted blooms:
- Site containers near windows, porches, patios, or in hanging baskets where you can enjoy watching the birds.
- Place pots and planters close together to create a dense area of color.
- Position feeders and flowering plants within view of each other.
- Set containers near trees, shrubs, and other structures hummingbirds can perch on.
- Locate them in a somewhat sheltered area safe from strong winds.
Other Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
In addition to tempting them with beautiful blooms, you can make your yard even more hummingbird friendly by:
- Providing a water source like a mister, dripper, or fountain.
- Letting part of your yard grow wild with native plants they depend on.
- Avoiding the use of pesticides.
- Setting up nest boxes if you notice hummingbirds in your area.
- Offering additional feeding stations around your property.
- Putting up a hummingbird feeder with fresh nectar near your potted plants.
Fun Facts About Hummingbirds in Texas
Here are some interesting tidbits about these state favorites:
- The Buff-bellied Hummingbird breeds in Texas and lives there year-round.
- The Ruby-throated Hummingbird migrates through Texas in spring and fall.
- Rufous Hummingbirds pass through during migration on their way further south.
- Uncommon species like the Berylline Hummingbird turn up in west Texas.
- August through November are peak months to see hummingbirds in the state.
- These tiny birds have been clocked flying over 50 mph during courtship dives.
- Their wings beat up to 70 times per second.
- Hummingbirds consume over half their weight in nectar daily.
- They build nests the size of a half dollar coin on branches and vines.
- You can find them in deserts, prairies, forests, and urban areas.
Conclusion
With a variety of potted hummingbird plants placed strategically around your Texas yard or patio, you are sure to attract these flying jewels. Watching their antics as they buzz around from flower to flower seeking nectar is a delight. Once you set out the welcome mat with the plants and conditions they prefer, hummingbirds will stop by each season to fuel up on their migrations and wow you with their diminutive beauty and impressive speed.
