Essential perennials for migrating hummingbirds during summer and fall should no longer be neglected from cultivation.
In the heart of summer, as the days grow longer and warmer, a remarkable spectacle unfolds in gardens across North America. The ruby-throated hummingbird begins its southbound migration from late July to early August, in zones 3 to 7. During this journey, these tiny, vibrant birds rely heavily on nectar-rich plants for sustenance.
To provide continuous nectar for these migrating hummingbirds, it's essential to avoid deadheading certain perennials. These include the cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), bee balm (Monarda spp.), penstemon (Beardtongue), and hummingbird mint (Agastache).
The cardinal flower, a North American native wildflower, boasts striking crimson blooms that last through late summer and fall, coinciding with hummingbird migration. The bee balm, with its masses of red, pink, or purple flowers, is popular with hummingbirds for its high nectar content. Penstemon, a perennial that attracts pollinators, including hummingbirds, should not be deadheaded from August to provide nectar for migrating hummingbirds. Hummingbird mint, another North American perennial, produces lilac spires that continue to attract hummingbirds well into fall, so avoiding deadheading helps maintain nectar supplies during migration.
Bee balm and penstemon have long bloom times and are favourites of hummingbirds due to their tubular-shaped flowers that make nectar accessible. Hummingbird mint produces lilac flowers that last until October, providing a valuable source of nectar late into the season.
Other plants, such as salvias, are stalwarts of any wildlife garden and attract hummingbirds due to their tubular, nectar-rich flowers. Faded blooms on salvias still contain nectar, and leaving them can support hungry birds and pollinators. However, deadheading salvias from August onwards might give you a sprig or two of new growth, but it'll come at the cost of what's already there.
For those seeking to attract hummingbirds to their gardens, live cardinal flower plants are available from Amazon, while the 'Leading Lady Plum' variety of bee balm is hardy down to zone 4 and can be found at Burpee. Organic bloom booster feed by Espoma can be used to encourage one or two extra flower stems before fall for penstemons.
In addition to providing nectar-rich plants, maintaining clean hummingbird feeders is crucial. Regular cleaning with a hummingbird cleaner helps keep pests and problems at bay. The coral honeysuckle does not need to be deadheaded as it produces clusters of red-orange blooms steadily through the season, and seedheads provide food for other birds in fall.
As the hummingbirds make their way south, let's do our part to support them by leaving the blooms on these key nectar plants late into the summer and fall. By doing so, we can help fuel their journey and create a vibrant, hummingbird-friendly garden.
The home-and-garden enthusiast looking to attract hummingbirds can consider incorporating nectar-rich plants such as the cardinal flower, bee balm, penstemon, and hummingbird mint. By avoiding deadheading these plants, particularly from August to fall, one can help sustain nectar supplies for migrating hummingbirds.
In celebration of hummingbird migration, one might consider purchasing live cardinal flower plants from Amazon or the 'Leading Lady Plum' variety of bee balm from Burpee, both of which are favourites among hummingbirds.
