Only the long, thin beaks of hummingbirds and the proboscis of certain butterflies and moths can reach the nectar in certain flowers with deep, narrow tubes. As they sip this hard-to-reach nectar, they also collect pollen that they take with them to the next flower. Attracting hummingbirds to the garden ensures that narrow tubed flowers can be pollinated. Continue reading to learn how to attract hummingbirds in zone 9.
Growing Hummingbird Gardens in Zone 9
Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. However, this does not mean that they only visit red flowers or drink from feeders with red colored liquid. Actually, the red dyes in some store-bought hummingbird nectar can be harmful to hummingbirds. You may be better off to make a homemade liquid for hummingbird feeders by dissolving ¼ cup (32 g.) of sugar in 1 cup (128 g.) of boiling water. Also, hummingbird feeders need to be cleaned regularly to prevent illnesses. When your garden is filled with plenty of nectar rich, hummingbird attractant plants, feeders are not even necessary. Hummingbirds will come back, time and time again, to plants where they got a good meal. It is important to keep hummingbird gardens free of harmful chemical residues from pesticides and herbicides. Hummingbird gardens in zone 9 may be visited by several different native and migrating species of hummingbirds such as:
Ruby-Throated hummingbirds Rufous hummingbirds Calliope hummingbirds Black-Chinned hummingbirds Buff-Bellied hummingbirds Broad-Tailed hummingbirds Broad-Billed hummingbirds Allen’s hummingbirds Anna’s hummingbirds Green-Breasted Mango hummingbirds
Hummingbird Plants for Zone 9
Hummingbirds will visit flowering trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and annuals. Below are some of the many zone 9 hummingbird plants to choose from:
Agastache Alstroemeria Bee balm Begonia Bird of paradise Bottlebrush bush Butterfly bush Canna lily Cardinal flower Columbine Cosmos Crocosmia Delphinium Desert willow Four o’clocks Foxglove Fuchsia Geranium Gladiolus Hibiscus Hollyhock Honeysuckle vine Impatiens Indian hawthorn Indian paintbrush Joe pye weed Lantana Lavender Lily of the nile Morning glory Mimosa Nasturtium Nicotiana Peacock flower Penstemon Pentas Petunia Red hot poker Rose of Sharon Salvia Shrimp plant Snapdragon Spider lily Trumpet vine Yarrow Zinnia
