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greenthumbzdude

Hummingbird Tree?

16 years ago

Hi,

Iam looking for a tree that attracts hummingbirds. I already have a red buckeye and an eastern redbud. Do you have any suggestions?

Comments (8)

  • 16 years ago

    tree flowering is so short term ... and in my z5, so early .. that they are usually done.. before the hummers come north ....

    if it were me.. my best suggestion .... plant any tree for other reasons.. and hang a hummer feeder from it ....

    otherwise.. you would also be better served by planting a number of shrubs.. that flower over a longer period, so that once they stop into your garden.. they have a reason to stay ...

    my elderly neighbors have the feeders... no kids.. and the bee/wasp thing ....

    the hummers cruise my garden for any and all flowers .. after getting sugar from the feeders .... they really dont need specific flowers to come to your yard ...

    i have also found the smallest nests you would ever believe ..

    good luck

    ken

  • 16 years ago

    Since we don't know size requirements, exposure, or anything else other than one requirement and the general zone, Chilopsis linearis hopefully is appropriate. Silk tree will also, but invasive in many areas.

    Dan

  • 16 years ago

    Various lists include red buckeye (and other buckeyes & horsechestnuts), redbud, crabapple, catalpa, tuliptree, silk tree, locust (Robinia), basswood (linden) and others. I had a few hummingbirds visiting my Seven Son tree (Heptacodium) last September. But I would agree with Ken that using a variety of plants that flower over a long period is more effective. The plants that seem to work best in my area include bee balm, cardinal flower, columbine, "hummingbird mint"(Agastache), jewelweed, and penstemon.

  • 16 years ago

    Hummers go crazy for my Pink Butterfly Bushes and red/pink colored Phlox!

  • 16 years ago

    Mimosa tree (non-native tree inconsidered invasive) and Trumpet Vine (not a tree but a vine, native but considered invasive by some) seems to attract them.

  • 16 years ago

    If you have a sunny area, also consider planting some annuals for summer-long bloom. Hummers absolutely love Salvia 'Black and Blue'.

  • 16 years ago

    In my garden in SE Michigan every year, the return of the hummingbirds seems to correspond to the blooming of my Hall's Hardy Almond -- I seem to always look at this beautiful, pink tree in it's full glory and catch a hummer around it. Generally it's late April/Early May.

    Now, this year was the first year I didn't notice this happening, but the tree bloomed EXTREMELY early this year due to our abnormally warm spring, and I guess just beat the hummingbirds on their return journey north.

    But, generally, the two go together.

  • 16 years ago

    shrimp plant attracts them (coral flowers)

    they LOVE my wild honeysuckle bush (it's got hot orange flowers)

    they like Purple Duranta (a beautiful tree near a window)

    of course they love buddhelia/ butterfly bushes (not sure how to spell it)however, i'm not a big fan of these when the winter comes. the purple plumes turn black and it's really ugly. however, i do have one and they do like it.

    last but not least, they like red hibiscus i think. those can grow quite large and bushy - on the verge of being treeish at least in the deep south