Do Hummingbirds Like Gladiolus? Everything You Need To Know About Their Mutual Attraction

Last Updated on September 7, 2022 by Cristina

Do hummingbirds like gladiolus? Take a look and find out if this plant is worth your effort.

Hummingbirds are so much fun to watch as they dart around your yard. However, did you know that they are unique only to North and South America and cannot be found anywhere else in the world? If you have the privilege of living in one of the countries visited by these smallest birds in the world, know that almost the whole world is jealous of you.

The best way to attract these beauties is to plant the flowers they like best. Gladioli are one of the flowers that can enhance any garden because they stand out from the crowd due to their specific colors and interesting tubular shapes. Therefore, we can confirm with 100% certainty that gladioli are excellent attractors of pollinators.

Bees simply adore it, however, do hummingbirds really like gladiolus? Let’s find out below!

Description Of The Plant & Some Interesting Facts

The gladiolus genus has approximately 300 species of flowering plants, and it has been confirmed that they come from the iris family (Iridaceae). Also known as gladiola, plural gladioli, gladiolus, or gladioluses, they are named after their characteristic shape, which in translation from Latin (a diminutive form of gladius) means sword.

The plant is native to Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean area and is mainly grown for cut flowers and as a garden decoration. Originally, there were only about 7 types of gladioli, and from those 7 more than 10,000 cultivated varieties arose. Today, they can be found in different heights, sizes, as well as types, colors, and patterns of blooms.

Gladiolies - Description Of The Plant & Some Interesting Facts

In terms of physical appearance, gladioli have a flower spike that can grow up to 2-3 feet tall and bears many funnel-shaped flowers clustered on one side of the stem. The plant doesn’t have a lot of leaves, and the ones it does have are rare and lance-shaped.

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Do Hummingbirds Like Gladiolus?

Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds with a special long and tapering beak that is used to obtain nectar from the center of long and in some cases even hard-to-reach flowers. Gladiolus, on the other hand, are flowers that bloom in a range of colors from bright orange, fuschia, and red and usually grow a bit taller than most flowers, up to four feet tall.

When you summarize all the facts, it isn’t difficult to conclude what is the correct answer to the question: “Do hummingbirds like gladiolus?” As we have already stated, gladioli tend to outgrow most flowers in the garden, which actually makes them a perfect match for these birds. Their grandiosity allows the hummingbirds not to hover too close to the ground for a quick peek.

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Do Hummingbirds Like Gladiolus?

We mustn’t forget to mention the fragrant flowers that bloom open in tubular spikes and thus make it indescribably easier for hummingbirds to reach the nectar. In addition, gladioli are also known as flowers full of golden pollen and nectar, so it’s not surprising that hummingbirds prefer them so much compared to all other types of plants commonly found in gardens.

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Are Gladioli The Best Choice To Get Their Attention?

Hummingbirds are known as real explorers. They simply love to peek into every free corner to find a sip of the most delicious nectar, and gladioli are (coincidentally or not) the richest in nectar and the boldest in color.

As for the cultivation and care of these flowers, we must admit that you won’t have to put in almost any effort. They are easy to propagate and require very little maintenance, making them perfect for gardening beginners. Based on hundreds of positive feedbacks, we’ve concluded that you can always rely on them to bring the fluttering wings of these birds back to your yard.

 

Abstract – Do Hummingbirds Like Gladiolus?

It’s no secret that gladioli have been loved by generations of flower enthusiasts. No wonder, because they look spectacular wherever you put them and are suitable for growing in flower beds, containers/pots, and even vegetable gardens. What else could we ask for?

Do you have gladioli in your yard? Have you noticed an increased visit of hummingbirds after enriching your garden with this plant? Let us know in the section below.

Read more: Are Hummingbirds Herbivores? The Real Truth About Their Above All Interesting Diet

FAQs

What Flowers Do Hummingbirds Avoid?

Hummingbirds are avid flower lovers, but this doesn’t apply to all types of flowers equally. Some types of flowers these smallest birds in the world simply can't stand, maybe we can even say they hate them. Namely, some flowers produce very little to no nectar, so it is not surprising that hummingbirds avoid visiting them.

Therefore, we will list some of the popular flowers that are not very attractive to hummingbirds:

- Daffodils

- Gardenias

- Irises

- Lilacs

- Oriental lilies

- Roses

- Sunflowers

- Tulips

What Is The Best Annual Flower For Hummingbirds?

If you want to work on your landscaping and at the same time attract these beautiful visitors, we recommend trying one of these annuals:

- Cleome

- Cypress vine

- Drummond phlox

- Firebush

- Flowering tobacco

- Impatiens

- Indian paintbrush

- Mexican Shrimp Plant

- Morning-glory

- Nasturtium

Do Hummingbirds Feed From Gladiolus?

Yes, gladioli are known as flowers full of golden pollen and nectar, so they are an excellent source of nectar for these tireless flyers. Namely, these flowers tend to outgrow most flowers in the garden, and thanks to their grandiosity, hummingbirds don't have to hover too close to the ground to grab a quick bite.

What Smells Do Hummingbirds Hate?

Did you know that until recently it was believed that hummingbirds had no sense of smell at all? However, based on some research, it has been proven that these birds have particularly small olfactory bulbs and that they prefer the smell of flowers that contain nectar. In addition, researchers discovered another very interesting fact, which is that hummingbirds tend to use their senses to avoid danger while searching for delicious nectar.

Among the most common smells that hummingbirds hate are peppermint, garlic, vinegar, and chili.