Shade Plants That Attract Hummingbirds: Beautiful and Beneficial Additions to Your Garden
Hummingbirds are the gems of the avian world, known for their striking colors, high metabolism, and seemingly miraculous hovering abilities. These tiny birds can add a touch of magic to any garden, but attracting them can be a challenge. Fortunately, planting shade-loving plants that hummingbirds love can help. In this article, we will explore some of the best shade plants that attract hummingbirds, and how you can incorporate them into your garden.
1. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
The cardinal flower is one of the most striking and colorful of all the plants that attract hummingbirds. This perennial plant produces tall spikes of brilliant red flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall. The long tubular flowers are perfect for the long bills of hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar inside. Cardinal flower prefers moist soil and partial shade, making it an ideal addition to a woodland garden or shaded borders.
2. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
The bleeding heart is a classic garden favorite loved for its delicate, heart-shaped pink or white flowers that dangle from arching stems. These whimsical blooms are a favorite of hummingbirds, who sip nectar from the buds' drooping tips. Bleeding hearts prefer part to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. They are excellent additions to rock gardens, woodland gardens, or as border plants.
3. Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea)
Coral bells are a versatile, low-maintenance plant loved for their colorful foliage and delicate flowers. Their bell-shaped flowers, which bloom in mid-summer, come in shades of pink, coral, and red, making them a favorite of hummingbirds. The plant prefers part to full shade, making it an excellent option for shady borders or woodland gardens. Coral bells are also great as a groundcover or as an accent plant in mixed borders.
4. Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Columbine is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that produces elegant, bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue. These flowers are perfect for hummingbirds, who hover and sip nectar from the tubular blooms. Columbine prefers part to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. They look great in woodland gardens, rock gardens, or as border plants.
5. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee balm, also known as bergamot, is a showy, fragrant plant that produces bright red, pink, or purple flowers in mid-summer. These flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds, who love to hover and sip nectar from the tubular blooms. Bee balm prefers part to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. They are great additions to cottage gardens, meadows, or as border plants.
6. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Foxglove is a stunning biennial plant that produces towering stalks of bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. These flowers are perfectly suited for hummingbirds, who can easily reach the nectar in the deep, tubular blooms. Foxglove prefers part shade and moist, well-draining soil. They look great in woodland gardens, cottage gardens, or as border plants.
7. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are a popular shade-loving plant known for their large, lush leaves and delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers. Although not as showy as some of the other plants on this list, hostas are still a valuable addition to any garden that wants to attract hummingbirds. The flowers come in shades of white, lavender, and blue and bloom in mid-summer. Hostas prefer part to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. They look great in woodland gardens or as border plants.
8. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Impatiens, also known as busy Lizzies, are a popular choice for shady areas thanks to their vibrant, jewel-toned flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Hummingbirds are attracted to the tubular flowers and will readily visit these plants in search of nectar. Impatiens prefer part to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. They are great in hanging baskets, container gardens, or as border plants.
In conclusion, adding shade plants that attract hummingbirds to your garden is a simple and rewarding way to invite these delightful birds into your space. By incorporating a variety of plants with varying bloom times and colors, you can create a garden that is both beautiful and beneficial to wildlife. Try planting some of the plants mentioned above and see if you can spot a few hummingbirds flitting about!
Shade Plants That Attract Hummingbirds, Cardinal Flower, Bleeding Heart, Coral Bells, Columbine, Bee Balm, Foxglove, Hosta, Impatiens
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