Do hummingbirds like Geraniums? Check out this article before planting this beauty in your garden to see if it’s worth your time and effort.
For centuries, people have been obsessed with hummingbirds. They are so tiny and cute that they simply take your breath away, especially when you meet them face to face for the first time.
The key to attracting hummers to your property is to have plenty of nectar-rich flowers and to provide a safe habitat. A beautiful, flower-filled garden is an invitation for them to come. We know that little avians simply adore long tubular flowers in bright colors, such as Bee Balm, Penstemon, and Agastache. But, do hummingbirds like Geraniums? Keep reading this article to find out.
Get To Know The Plant
It’s no secret that Geraniums are longtime favorites. They are colorful, have a wonderful scent, and can grow well in almost anything, from garden beds to containers and hanging baskets. They belong to the family Geraniaceae, and to the genus Geranium, which has about 300 species of perennial herbs or shrubs.
As for the appearance, the plant is herbaceous to woody and has thick and fleshy leaves, its beautiful flowers grow in terminal clusters and can take on a different spectrum of colors that vary from soft white to deep red and purple tones.
Furthermore, it is true that these flowers are popular with bees and other pollinators, however, do hummingbirds like geraniums? Let’s go into detail.
Do Hummingbirds Like Geraniums?
These birds love flowers that offer them plenty of nectar. They need it to be able to carry out their daily activities. Geraniums, on the other hand, have an incredible fragrance and are known for producing nectar, but not in excessive quantities compared to other types of flowers.
So, do hummingbirds like Geraniums? Unfortunately, these flowers aren’t on their priority list. Generally speaking, Geraniums doesn’t fit the floral profile that hummingbirds are looking for when it comes to selecting nectar-producing flowers. Besides, several other pollinator species share the same sentiment, they’re just not attractive.
When it comes to the geranium hummingbird relationship, you won’t be wrong if you say it’s love-hate. Namely, although it produces nectar, it isn’t of ideal shape because these birds like tubular flowers that match the shape of their beak. Geraniums have flat petals, which also prevents them from easy feeding.
Finally, we must note that Geraniums usually grow quite close to the ground, and these birds simply don’t have the habit of hunting so low, meaning these plants often end up unnoticed. Although not necessarily the best option, these fragrant plants can be beneficial as part of a wildlife-friendly garden.
Can You Still Plant Geraniums in a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden?
Now that you know the answer to the question: “do geraniums attract hummingbirds”, let us explain to you whether they can still be useful in the garden.
Although it isn’t their main attraction, hummingbirds will still visit this plant to a much lesser extent. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember one fact, nectar isn’t their only source of energy, but also a wide variety of small insects and bugs.
Did you know that many species of insects simply adore Geraniums? Accordingly, these flowers will attract insects, and hummingbirds will nibble on them, and this is precisely why, as we have already stated, the geranium-hummingbird relationship is love-hate.
Experienced gardeners know that diversity is the key to success, and therefore, when planning a garden it is advisable to use planting schemes that provide nectar, as well as attract beneficial insects and other wildlife. An ideal garden should have a broad range of larger and smaller pollinators as well as all other types of visitors.
Therefore, although they aren’t at the top of their priority list, you shouldn’t avoid geraniums because they attract hummers to eat creepy-crawly creatures and a host of other insect-eating wildlife. In this way, these little birds help you establish balance and organic pest management.
What Are Hummingbirds’ Favorite Flowers?
Recently, one of our readers asked us “what flowers do hummingbirds eat?”, so we will try to explain this question in a little more detail. First of all, these little birds don’t actually eat flowers, they sip the nectar that is inside the flower itself.
Below, find some of our favorites for planting if you want to create a hummingbird-friendly garden.
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Their characteristic appearance, that is, full spikes and spherical shape, make Bee Balm one of the all-time favorites for hummers. However, we mustn’t forget to mention butterflies as well as other pollinators, as they rarely refuse to hang around this flower.
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
The Cardinal flower is a perennial with lance-shaped dark green leaves and tall flower stems that hold clusters of tubular flowers. It has beautiful, delicate flowers that bloom in vivid colors, which is why it is extremely attractive to many pollinators, including hummingbirds.
- Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Salvia or better known as Sage is a large genus that consists of different annual, herbaceous perennial, and shrub plants. It is a genus from the widely known mint family. This plant appears as a colorful spike of dense tubular flowers and has magnificent, velvety green leaves.
Hummingbirds and Sages have an inseparable bond because the plant grows quite tall, and because of the characteristic shape of its flowers, hummers do not have to struggle much to get to the nectar.
- Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
If you only have room to plant one plant that will attract hummingbirds, look no further than Trumpet Creeper or Vine. Hummers love this plant so much that they often call it hummingbird vine instead of its original name.
To Conclude
These magnificent creatures adore the long, brightly colored tubular flowers. In addition to producing much more nectar, their characteristic shape allows these birds to reach it more easily.
So, do hummingbirds like Geraniums? Unfortunately, these flowers aren’t on their priority list. They tend to grow too low and generally don’t produce enough nectar to meet the needs of these unique birds.
We hope you found this article useful. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments.
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