Do hummingbirds like petunias? It’s a question that many gardeners have asked, and for good reason – petunias are a popular flower to grow in gardens! In this blog post, we’ll explore whether or not hummingbirds are attracted to petunias, and if so – why? We’ll also give you some tips on how to attract hummingbirds to your garden using petunias.
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Do Hummingbirds Like Petunias?
This is a tricky one! For the most part hummingbirds do like petunias. They have an easy shape for hummingbirds to get in to, but some varieties have lower nectar quantities compared to others.
So do petunias attract hummingbirds? They will attract them to your garden, but depending on the variety, might not bring back hummingbirds day after day like some other flowers do.
What Do Hummingbirds Like About Petunias?
Hummingbirds are attracted to petunias for a variety of reasons. For one, petunias have a very easy shape for hummingbirds to get in to and drink from. They also come in a variety of colors, which hummingbirds love! Additionally, petunias bloom for a long time – sometimes up to three months – which gives hummingbirds plenty of opportunities to visit your garden and feast on their nectar.
Flower Shape
As we mentioned before, one of the things that hummingbirds like about petunias is their flower shape. Petunia flowers are wide and open, which makes it easy for hummingbirds to fly in, drink the nectar, and fly out again. This is important because hummingbirds need to eat a lot – about every 15-20 minutes!
Color
Petunias also come in a variety of colors, which hummingbirds love. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, so if you want to attract them to your garden, choose petunias in shades of pink, purple, red, or orange.
Nectar Quality
One of the things to keep in mind when choosing petunias for your garden is the nectar quality. Some varieties of petunias have lower nectar quantities than others, which means they might not be as attractive to hummingbirds. Try growing a mix of petunias to see which one the hummingbirds are most interested in visiting.
What Else Do Petunias Attract?
Petunias are a great asset to your garden for also attracting bees and butterflies. However, like many other plants, these are also susceptible to aphids and caterpillars doing damage to the plants and flowers.
Keep reading: how to get rid of aphids naturally
Caring For a Petunia Plant
Petunias are an annual plant, so you will have to replant them into your garden every year. These plants need full sun and a watering 1-2 times a week in the summer.
If you want to start your petunias as seeds, be sure to start them indoors a few weeks before spring to give them the best chance of survival.
There are 2 different main varietals of petunias – the grandiflora and multiflora.
The grandiflora grow to be larger and taller, although they need to be in a sheltered area, as the petals get damaged very easily with rain and wind. These can grow up to about 1 foot tall.
Multiflora are the other main varietal of petunias, and these are much bushier, but also smaller plants. These are more likely to survive longer, so they’ll attract hummingbirds for more months of the year compared to the grandiflora.
What Are Other Ways To Bring Hummingbirds Into Your Garden?
Hummingbirds are always looking for nectar and insects to eat since they burn so many calories all day long. So the best way to bring hummingbirds into your garden is with food sources! As mentioned in this post, you can attract them with petunias, or try zinnias, sunflowers, or hibiscus flowers!
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are attracted to petunias for a variety of reasons, but the main one is that they come in a variety of colors. Additionally, petunias bloom for a long time – sometimes up to three months – which gives hummingbirds plenty of opportunities to visit your garden and feast on their nectar.
If you want to attract them to your garden, choose petunias in shades of pink, purple, red, or orange. Be sure to keep in mind the nectar quality when choosing petunias though; some varieties have lower nectar quantities than others.