Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard isn’t as hard as you may think. There are plenty of annual flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies that can provide food for these energetic fowl. Planting annuals in the garden is an inexpensive way to go, plus you can interchange your flower variety each year.
The annual flowers (bloom only one season) that are listed below come in a variety of colors and most are tubular in shape. Although red flowers will certainly grab a hummingbird’s attention quicker, keep in mind that you don’t always have to stick with red. To invite hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden, try hanging some hummingbird feeders near your flower beds. Once they get a taste of the sweet nectar that the following annuals offer, they’ll stick around for more.
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Fast Growing Annuals That Attract Butterflies And Hummingbirds
There are many different types of annual plants that you can choose from to add color and life to your garden. However, not all annuals are created equal. Some annuals grow very quickly and provide a wealth of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. If you’re looking to attract these beautiful creatures to your garden, here are some fast-growing annuals to consider planting.
1. Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the best annuals for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, and red.
Zinnias grow quickly and produce a lot of nectar. Another great thing about zinnias is that they’re easy to care for and don’t require a lot of water.
2. Cosmos
Cosmos are another excellent choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, white, and yellow.
Cosmos grow quickly and produce a lot of nectar. They’re also easy to care for and don’t require a lot of water.
3. Marigolds
Marigolds are another annual that’s great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, and red.
Marigolds grow quickly and produce a lot of nectar. They’re also easy to care for and don’t require a lot of water.
4. Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa looks like teeny-tiny petunias and they make hundreds of little flowers. Hummingbirds and butterflies love this annual flower buffet that can trail or weep and blooms until the first frost.
Plant Calibrachoa in hanging baskets, containers, or beds and give them full sun with a monthly dose of liquid fertilizer. These flowers are sterile and don’t produce seeds, so Parkseed.com is a great place to find the plants. In southern areas, you can find Calibrachoa at home improvement stores.
5. Monarda (Bee Balm)
Monarda, also known as Bee Balm, is an annual flower that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It has the potential to become a perennial in certain zones. Flowering until late summer, this plant likes to be kept moist and will do well in full sun, but will take partial shade.
Expect Bee Balm to reach three feet tall and about as big around. Parkseed.com also carries these seeds and plants.
6. Petunias
Invite hummingbirds and butterflies into your annual garden by planting brightly colored petunias, especially red ones. There are hundreds of types of petunias that emit a lovely fragrance.
Fertilize these with a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks and give them full sun. Your local home improvement store will have an ample supply of these hummingbird flowers.
7. Penstemon
Penstemon is an annual flower that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, although it can become perennial. There are some Penstemon, or Beard Tongue, that are grown as perennials in hotter areas, in which they can multiply.
Give them full sun or partial shade. These trumpet-shaped flowers will bloom from spring to frost. Parkseed.com carries these flowers for hummingbirds and butterflies.
8. Nasturtium
Nasturtium is another annual flower that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It grows well in hanging baskets or other containers. They have beautiful, big flowers and dark green foliage. These lovely flowers come in a variety of colors and will grow in poor soil.
Give them plenty of sun and fertilize them once a month. Parkseed.com carries Nasturtium seeds in many colors.
Fast Growing Annuals Conclusion
If you’re looking to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden, these are some great annuals to consider planting. With their quick growth and abundance of nectar, they’ll be sure to bring plenty of color and life to your garden.
