Planting 2

Hummingbirds rely on plants for food, shelter, perches, and nesting. Previously,
in Garden Planting 1, we discussed some of the values of trees and shrubs. Here, let’s think about what to look for in herbaceous (non-woody) plants.

Sugar is a key source of energy for hummingbirds. They co-evolved with certain plants in a mutually beneficial partnership – a sugary reward for a ‘relatively direct’ pollen delivery service. Thus, it makes sense to plant herbaceous species that provide a good sugary reward. For example, if you have slightly damp conditions, you might consider something like a native Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa). 

How does a hummingbird recognize that a plant is a good sugar provider? It turns out that plants that have co-evolved with a bird pollinator are easy to spot. The flowers are long, tube-shaped, and brightly coloured (often red), e.g., the Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata). They also tend to lack a scent or the landing lines usually associated with insect-pollinated flowers. Take a few minutes to watch your hummingbirds visiting the flowers in your garden. Perhaps not all the flowers being visited fit the description above. Your hummingbirds may be visiting a very wide variety of flowers. Did they forget to read the rule book?

What is going on? Yes – while your hummingbirds are probably pollinating those other flowers, they may not be the prime pollinator or the animal with which the plant has co-evolved. The hummingbirds we see in BC can not afford to be picky about their food sources, because here, the flowers that are available change across the seasons. 

Hummingbirds that breed in BC are generalists (i.e., they don’t specialize in any one flower type). They don’t have extreme features like an extra long or curved bill, that you might see in some of the tropical specialists. Take a quick look at the hummingbird visiting your feeder. You will observe that it has a moderately short, straight bill that can be used to probe a wide variety of flower shapes. This also means that they experiment widely with what is available in your garden. If you happening to be wearing a smart red hat, they may check you out as well 😊

In your hunt for tempting flowers that provide lots of nectar, Penstemons (Penstemon sp.) and Tiger Lilies (Lillium columbianum) are always a draw. Also, a few showy exotics can add a lot of hummingbird charm to your garden. Although hummingbirds are only found in the new world (the Americas), they enjoy visiting the flowers of exotic plants like Montbretia (Crocosmia sp.) and red-hot pokers (Kniphofia sp.), which are pollinated by other types of birds and provide abundant sugar rewards. These plants are also attractive to nectar-loving songbirds like house finches. 

When choosing new plants, consider native plants that have been sourced locally. Fortunately, native plants are pre-adapted to the local climate. With increasing bouts of extreme weather, our gardens can get very stressed. Native plants will need less water and are much more likely to flourish under the harsher conditions. Also, these plants evolved with the local pollinators and predators, which means that they can support a more abundant and diverse community. 

Use caution when choosing exotic plants to avoid invasives. The Grown Me Instead guide is very helpful for alternate choices. Invasives spread far too easily, as they are enjoyed by our pollinators, often stealing them from the plants they should be pollinating. At the same time, they may not be eaten by local predators (fewer yummy insect dinners). Invasives can rapidly become a nuisance and crowd out your plantings. Similarly, exercise care with selectively-bred plants (cultivars). Sometimes these have been bred for aesthetic qualities like extra petals, and values such as nectar, have been lost.

In many regions of BC, we can have hummingbirds visiting our gardens throughout the year. How do you keep your hummingbirds well fed across the seasons? On southern Vancouver Island, we have an early spring bloom often followed by summer drought. This can be quite the challenge, especially in late summer! Try to seek out some later bloomers like Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum) and Paintbrush (Castilleja sp.). Native honeysuckle vines (Orange and Hairy Honeysuckles; Lonicera sp.) can also provide an extended display. If possible, choose plants that have lengthy and overlapping flowering periods. Like many of us, hummingbirds are attracted to (and will defend) a showy floral display, so cluster flowers that bloom at the same time.  

We can help hummingbirds by growing a mix of plants that provide abundant nectar and support insects (especially native plants with no pesticide treatments). Nurseries that sell native plants should be able to give helpful local advice. The Pollinator Partnership Canada website has excellent, downloadable guides for different ecoregions with suggestions for your sun/shade and moisture conditions.

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