Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds, capturing the imagination with their diminutive size, iridescent colors, and remarkable hovering flight. Their behavior around flowers, especially favorites like petunias, is particularly captivating. Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between hummingbirds and petunias.
An Introduction to Hummingbirds and Petunias
Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas. There are over 300 species, the smallest measuring just 2 inches long. Their rapidly beating wings allow them to hover in place as they drink nectar from flowers. Brightly colored tubular blossoms that provide lots of nectar are their favorites, like petunias.
Petunias are popular garden annuals first originating from South America. There are over 35 species today after centuries of cultivation. They produce abundant single or double flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, yellow, or white on bushy plants. Modern hybrids bloom continuously when deadheaded.
So do hummingbirds actively seek out petunias? Let’s explore further.
Do Hummingbirds Like Petunias?
Yes, hummingbirds are highly attracted to petunias! There are several reasons why:
Petunias Provide Lots of Nectar
Hummingbirds need a lot of food energy to power their wings for hovering and fast flight. Flower nectar provides a high-calorie food source.
Petunias produce ample nectar deep within their tubular or trumpet-shaped blooms, perfectly suited to hummingbird beaks and tongues. This makes them a valuable nectar source.
Petunias Come in Red and Other Hummingbird-Friendly Colors
Hummingbirds are especially drawn to red, orange, and pink flowers. These bright colors signal a good nectar reward to them.
Many popular petunia varieties have red, pink, or purple blossoms. Some feature contrasting yellow throats. These petunia colors attract hummingbirds visually from a distance.
Petunias Have Scent Attractive to Hummingbirds
In addition to color, hummingbirds use scent cues to locate nectar sources. They have a good sense of smell.
Petunias give off a light, sweet fragrance that appeals to hummingbird preferences. As they fly around, they can detect the perfume of petunias and zero in on them.
Petunias Bloom All Season Long
Hummingbirds need a consistent nectar supply all through the warmer months. Cold-sensitive tropical migrants like ruby-throats especially depend on flowers during their breeding and nesting period.
Many modern petunias bloom continuously from spring to fall. Deadheading spent blooms keeps them flowering for months. This provides a steady nectar source for hummingbirds.
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Petunias
If you want to draw more hummingbirds to your yard using petunias, here are some tips:
- Plant plenty of red, pink, or purple petunias in beds, containers, or hanging baskets. Go for single blooms with more nectar.
- Choose continuously blooming varieties to provide nectar through the season. Prioritize early and late types.
- Place petunias near food and water sources to encourage visits. Have a feeder or fountain nearby.
- Don’t use pesticides on plants that hummingbirds visit. This contaminates nectar.
- Deadhead to prolong bloom time. Handpick pests rather than spraying.
- Provide small trees, shrubs, and vines for shelter and nesting sites. Hummers will visit flowers near their homes.
- Limit the use of red in architecture, decor, etc. Use blue, yellow, white instead. Red blooms will stand out more.
- Add other hummingbird favorites like bee balm, fuchsia, lantana, salvia, and trumpet vine in the area to diversify food sources.
When and Where to See Hummingbirds on Petunias
Expect peak hummingbird interest in petunias during their active seasons:
Spring Migration
In late winter and early spring, ruby-throats start migrating back north to their breeding grounds. They are eager to refuel on nectar-rich spring blooms like early-blooming petunias.
Nesting and Breeding Season
From spring through summer, hummingbirds nest and breed. Females have especially high energy needs now and appreciate a steady petunia nectar supply.
Preparing for Fall Migration
In mid to late summer, adults and young start eating more to store fat for the fall return migration. Petunias flowering now help fuel up hummingbirds’ long journey.
Early mornings and late afternoons tend to be busiest visiting times at petunia blooms and feeders. But watch for hummingbirds all day, especially on warm, sunny days.
Target areas where petunias are planted near trees and shrubs. Hummers often perch briefly between flower visits. Hanging baskets and elevated pots up against walls or fences are also prime observation spots.
Sit quietly and watch for the lightning-fast approach and hovering at flowers typical of hummingbird behavior. Have your camera ready to capture these energetic dynamos in action on petunias!
Common Hummingbird Species Attracted to Petunias
There are 16 regular hummingbird species in the continental United States. Here are the most widespread ones to watch for at petunias:
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
The only breeding hummingbird east of the Mississippi. Males have an iridescent red throat. They migrate long distances.
Black-Chinned Hummingbird
Found along the Pacific coast and throughout the Southwest in summer. Males have a dark chin patch and thin white collar.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Year-round resident along the Pacific coast. Males are emerald green above and gray below with bright pink head and throat.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Summer resident along California coastal areas. Small with a green back, rufous sides, and orange throat. Males have a red forehead patch.
Rufous Hummingbird
Breeds in the Northwest then migrates extensive distances. Males are solid bright rust-orange with some green on the back.
Calliope Hummingbird
The smallest species. Breeds in the West then migrates. Males have vivid magenta throat feathers.
So watch for these and other hummingbirds flying swiftly to partake of petunia nectar!
Petunia Varieties Hummingbirds Tend to Prefer
No comprehensive studies rank petunias by hummingbird preference. But these varieties stand out as top candidates:
- Wave Series: The ground-covering Waves bloom prolifically all season in colors like ‘Pink Wave’ and ‘Red Wave’.
- Supertunia Series: These vigorous, spreading plants produce tons of blooms. Try red-blooming ‘Supertunia Vista Bubblegum’ or ‘Supertunia Vista Paradise’.
- Petunia hybrida: Old-fashioned large-flowered types like ‘Red Pirouette’ or ‘Dreams Red’ work well.
- Double-flowered pink or purple: Though less nectar-rich, the big blossoms attract hummingbird attention.
- Trumpet-types: Varieties like ‘Purple Fan’ have blooms perfectly sized for hummer beaks.
- Cascading and trailing types: Hanging blooms provide access for hovering hummers.
The most important factors are continuous flowering and bright red or pink tubular blooms, rather than a specific variety. Try an assortment to see which petunias your local hummingbirds favor.
Petunia Garden Design and Placement Tips
Here are some design strategies to maximize hummingbird engagement with petunias:
- Plant in groups rather than singly for greater visual impact. Columns work well against walls and fences.
- Cluster red petunias together and use other colors like white or purple for contrast elsewhere.
- Elevate some pots on pedestals, railing planters, or hanging baskets. Hummer flight gives them 360-degree access.
- Place petunias very visibly along hummingbird flight paths from feeding areas to sheltered perches.
- Allow plants to mound and trail naturally rather than trimming too frequently. This provides more flower clusters.
- Site petunia beds within 10-15 ft. of feeders and other prime hummingbird habitat. Don’t isolate them.
- For continuous color, make small plantings in sequence for overlapping bloom times rather than one large area.
By leveraging behavior patterns and attracting features, a thoughtfully designed petunia garden will entice hummingbird visitors all season long!
Fun Facts About Hummingbirds and Petunias
Here are some intriguing bits of trivia about the relationship between hummingbirds and petunias:
- Petunias get their name from the French word for “tobacco”, which their leaves resemble. Some species’ flowers point down when ready for pollination.
- Hummingbird brains are 4.2% of their body weight – the largest proportion in the bird world. This helps process visual cues from flowers.
- To conserve energy, a hummingbird’s heart rate slows to an astonishing 50-180 beats per minute while perching versus over 500 while active.
- Hummingbirds eat many small insects for protein, including mosquitoes, fruit flies, gnats, aphids, spiders, caterpillars and ants.
- Male Anna’s hummingbirds make elaborate dive displays during courtship, with speeds of over 60 mph before abruptly pulling up!
- Hummingbird nests the size of a walnut may use petunia fluff or other plant down in their construction for a soft lining.
- In one day, a hummingbird can visit 1,000-2,000 flowers and consume over half its body weight in nectar!
- Average hummingbird life expectancy is 3-12 years. The oldest known wild hummingbird was over 12 years old.
- Newly hatched chicks are the size of a bumblebee – their mother is barely larger. That’s some tiny nectar-slurping!
So both hummingbirds and petunias display amazing adaptations. Watching them interact is a special summer pleasure for any nature lover or gardener. Try adding some hummingbird-friendly petunias to your yard and enjoy the show!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hummingbirds and Petunias
Here are answers to some common reader questions about the relationship between hummingbirds and petunias:
Do hummingbirds sleep at night?
Yes, hummingbirds do sleep at night, going into a hibernation-like torpor state to conserve energy. Their incredibly high metabolism requires sleeping around 10-12 hours a day total.
How often do hummingbirds eat from flowers?
Hummingbirds eat the equivalent of their body weight in nectar each day, spread out over multiple flower visits. They feed on flower nectar 5-8 times per hour on average.
Do hummingbirds emit any sound?
Chattering, twittering, and squeaking sounds have been observed in some hummingbird species, especially males during courtship displays. Their wings beat too fast for our ears to detect any noise while flying.
Will hummingbirds nest in petunias?
No, hummingbirds don’t nest directly in petunias. They build tiny cup nests high in trees using soft materials like plant down held together with spider silk. But petunias can provide nest padding.
Can you touch hummingbirds?
It’s best not to touch hummingbirds. Their extremely rapid metabolism requires them to conserve energy, and unnecessary interaction stresses them. Simply observe and enjoy them visiting your petunias.
How do you identify baby hummingbirds?
Newly hatched hummingbirds lack the iridescent throat patches of adults. They appear overall duller gray or brown. Young hummers may have white spots or streaks, with short non-forked tails.
What’s the lifespan of a petunia?
Most petunias are considered annuals and last just one growing season. However, in ideal conditions, they may survive several years as short-lived perennials, especially in mild climates. Deadheading extends bloom time.
Are petunias toxic to hummingbirds?
No, petunias are not toxic to hummingbirds. Their nectar is perfectly adapted for hummingbird feeding. Certain pesticides are toxic if used on petunias, so grow them organically. Fertilizer should be used minimally.
Can you plant petunias in pots?
Yes, potted petunias work great for patios, balconies, and small spaces. Use quality potting mix, provide sun and warmth, water when just dry to the touch, and fertilize lightly for abundant flowering. Hang trailing types in baskets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hummingbirds are strongly attracted to petunias for their bright colors, tubular blooms brimming with nectar, and season-long flowering. Petunias in red, pink, or purple especially attract hummers seeking food as they migrate and breed. With some thoughtful garden planning, you can entice these energetic, fascinating birds to visit petunias all summer long and enjoy their captivating behaviors up close. So give hummingbird-friendly petunias a try in your yard and get ready to be charmed by their interactions with these petite powerhouses on wings!