Winter Nectar Plants for Hummingbirds in the Southwest

Keep these important pollinators well fed with colorful, long-blooming flowers

There ’s something magical about a garden graced withhummingbirds . As they dash between flowers and zip by at impossible focal ratio , they ’re letting you know you ’ve done something right . TheSouthwest , and specially southerly Arizona , is golden in have around 14 dissimilar coinage of hummingbirds , but it only takes one to contribute that magic to gardeners .

During most of the warm season , hummingbirds ’ food supply of flowernectarand tiny insects is abundant in most gardens , and give up the heater to stand for themselves is not a job . They are experts at finding — and defending — their favourite food informant . But even in the warmer parts of the Southwest where hummingbirds are class - round residents , wintertime ’s frisson can abbreviate nectar source significantly . This season is thankfully brief — byMarch , well - planneddesert gardensare awash in flower and the lean days are over .

supplement hummingbirds ’ winter resources with sugar water in feeders trim back their stress and provides hr of entertainment . Just make trusted to do it right ; allow for only pure lolly water supply — no red dye — and change the pee often . Even with feeders , I still care to make certain hummingbirds have as many natural resources as possible . Here are a handful of efflorescence that have often been in peak between November and March in my Tucson garden . Keep in nous that not every locating or everywinter seasonis the same . Some years will have abundant flowers and others may have more sporadic blooms . Variety is the key to ensuring that something will be uncommitted to hummingbird at all times .

Fairy dusters

Calliandraspp . and cvs . , Zones 7b–11

Baja faggot duster ( Calliandra californica , Zones 9–11 ) is the bright violent cousin to our Southwest - aboriginal fairy duster , Calliandra eriophylla(Zones 7b–11 ) . Baja poove duster is big and more vigorous in most situation . Though wintertime weather does slow up it down , mine are never without flower , specially when raise in warmmicroclimates . It can sometimes freeze out back in colder areas of Zone 9 , but it ’s undestroyable and immediate to recover . On the other hand , the pink - floweredC. eriophyllatypically has a abbreviated abeyant season and flowerslate wintertime through springtime . Plant them both !

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptusspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–11

stinker - flowered gum ( Eucalyptus woodwardii , zone 8b–11 ) and coral glue ( Eucalyptus torquata , zone 8b–11 ) are probably not on most masses ’s inclination of desire plants , but these two beautiful metal money are first-class nectar germ for both hummingbirds and bees . They are not scary , gargantuan eucalyptus tree ; rather , they are just the right size for most garden . Lemon - blossom gum is slight and grows to 20 feet tall with powdered gray leaves and lemon - yellow bloom on tears branches . Coral gum is good and rounded , farm 15 to 20 feet tall and wide with flowers ranging from mild pink to rich rose to red coral . A crossbreed between these two species , known as ‘ Torwood ’ gum or ‘ Torwood ’ eucalyptus tree ( Eucalyptus‘Torwood ’ , Zones 8b–11 ) has peak that are a soft pinkish orangeness . flower can take place any time of year . With several trees , I oft have abundant bloom for a long season from winter through spring . These plant are very heat and drought tolerant in Zone 8b and above .

Justicia

Justiciaspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–11

There are three justicias that make my listing , and while winter may not be their heyday bloom time of year , mine are never without flowers . Beloperone ( Justicia californica , Zones 8–10 ) is a scramblingnative shrubthat starts blooming midwinter on its leafless ( and unannealed ) stems , and the hummers are quick to cluster to it . Red justicia ( Justicia candicans , Zones 9–10 ) nurse scarlet - red , three - lob flowers atop its upright stems , forming acompact shrub . This flora seems always to be in some leg of bloom in my garden , thriving even in unirrigated fond shade . Mexican meeting house ( Justicia spicigera , Zones 8–11 ) hails from Mexico , with vivid light-green leaves and flame - orange blooms . With a moderate bit of weewee and shelter , this plant is nearly everblooming as well .

Gladiolus

Gladiolussplendens , Zones 9–11

This metal money of gladiolus is quiet and svelte , unlike those that call for attention from overstaged funeral arrangement . The small incandescent lamp of this species revert each wintertime in my garden , their leafy spears come up steady from bare soil through November . This plant ’s crimson flowers start blooming in midwinter and last through spring . They never escape the hummingbirds ’ attending !

Firecracker plant

Russelia equisetiformis , Zones 9–11

Firecracker works is a fireball of flush . Its wispy arc nebuliser of green foliage trickle with brilliant red blooms for most of the yr . Best plant in full sun but fairly adaptable , banger flora appreciates a routinewateringschedule . There are several color form and cultivars out there , but I always amount back to this original species for its full habit and abundant bloom .

Try any one of these promising , colorful flush to draw hummingbirds to your garden this winter . For more on attractingpollinatorsin the Southwest , check out :

And for more Southwest regional account , dawn here .

— Dan Johnson lives and gardens in Denver and in Tucson , Arizona . He is an associate theater director of gardening for the Denver Botanic Gardens .

Photos : Dan Johnson

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