If you are fascinated by hummingbirds you should plant a weigela bush in your garden as soon as possible! Those incredible little birds are drawn to the masses of trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom on my weigela each year.
Although there are plenty of plants that hummingbirds might visit, weigela is unique. It will bring hummingbirds to your garden. So, if you haven’t seen any of these lovely birds, learn more about the plant that attracts them best!
3 Reasons Weigela is the Best Plant for Hummingbird Lovers
Nothing thrills me more than hearing the thrum of hummingbird wings in my garden. It’s a joy to see these birds hover and dart as they sip nectar from my weigela flowers.
But what is it that gets hummingbirds so excited for weigela? Here are the answers:
Sweet Scent
Hummingbirds feed mostly on nectar. And the way they find it is surprising! Hummingbirds mostly rely on scent to track down nectar sources. So, the sweeter a flower smells, the more likely it is to attract hummingbirds.
Weigela is an extremely fragrant and sweet-smelling flower. Plus, weigela bushes grow hundreds of blooms! This large amount of sweet scent draws hummingbirds from all around. You may even have several hummingbirds drinking nectar from your weigela at the same time.
Red Means Go
In addition to their strong sense of smell, hummingbirds have excellent color vision. They use this sense to locate the flowers they need to feed on. In particular, hummingbirds are drawn to red and pink flowers. Lucky for you, most weigela produce pink, fuschia, or red flowers.
The masses of brightly colored flowers on weigela are like a lighthouse for hummingbirds. These flowers are quickly spotted by hummingbirds from a distance. Since weigela blooms from May through July it will keep hummingbirds coming back for months.
Shape Makes all the Difference
Hummingbirds are drawn to weigela because the trumpet-shaped flowers are designed for them. Deep flowers are more difficult for pollinators like bees to visit, since the nectar is hidden in the narrow base of the flower. However, a hummingbird’s curved beak is the perfect length to sip hidden nectar that other animals can’t reach.
By planting weigela you are growing a plant that saves food for hummingbirds. Other flowers may be raided by other pollinators, which leaves little food for hummingbirds. Weigela is like a refrigerator for hummingbirds. They return because there’s always food for them in your garden!
Where to Plant Weigela
Weigela is a very versatile plant that is a great fit for most gardens. It thrives in USDA growing zones 4a through 8b, which means it grows throughout most of the continental United States. So, it’s probably a good choice for your garden.
Choose a sunny spot in your garden when planting weigela. These bushes require six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Also, make sure to plant in an area with plenty of space. Full-sized weigela can grow over 10 feet tall. Dwarf varieties are a good choice for smaller gardens, since they grow only 18 inches tall.
Weigela Care Tips
Weigela prefers moist, but not soggy soil. So, make sure to prevent your weigela from drying out during summer heat. Although it only needs water once or twice weekly during most of the year, this will need to be increased during excessively hot weather.
For extra growth, fertilize your weigela each year with this fertilizer designed for roses. Apply one dose of the fertilizer in early spring, before the weigela begins blooming. This will result in more flowers and more hummingbirds in your yard!
More Ways to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden
If you’re interested in drawing hummingbirds to your garden, planting weigela is the best first step you can take. However, you can bring even more hummingbirds with these tips:
- Hang a hummingbird feeder in your garden.
- Plant other flowers with tubular shapes, such as honeysuckle and trumpet vine.
- Keep pet cats indoors to prevent them from harming or scaring hummingbirds.
- Avoid using pesticides in your garden as they may be harmful to pollinators.
By growing a natural, safe garden full of friendly flowers, hummingbirds will flock to your yard. Then, you can enjoy the presence of beautiful wildlife, along with gorgeous blooms.
