What Lavender Plant Do Hummingbirds Like – The Best Varieties
Picture this: a sun-drenched garden, alive with the sweet fragrance of lavender, and suddenly, a tiny blur of emerald green zips past, hovering expertly to sip nectar from a vibrant purple bloom. The magical dance of a hummingbird visiting your garden is one of nature’s most enchanting spectacles!
Many gardeners dream of attracting these aerial jewels, and lavender is often touted as a fantastic choice. But with so many types of lavender out there, you might be wondering, “what lavender plant do hummingbirds like the most?”
Don’t worry, you’re in the right place! As a seasoned gardener, I’ve spent years cultivating pollinator-friendly spaces, and I’m thrilled to share my insights with you. This comprehensive guide will not only reveal the top lavender varieties that hummingbirds simply can’t resist but also equip you with the expert growing tips to make your garden their favorite stop.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap to creating a thriving lavender patch that hummers will flock to, bringing joy and a burst of life to your outdoor sanctuary. Let’s dive in!
What's On the Page
- 1 Why Hummingbirds Love Lavender: More Than Just a Pretty Face
- 2 Understanding What Lavender Plant Do Hummingbirds Like Best
- 3 Cultivating a Hummingbird-Friendly Lavender Patch: Expert Growing Tips
- 4 Designing Your Garden for Maximum Hummingbird Attraction
- 5 Common Challenges and Pro Solutions
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Attracting Hummingbirds with Lavender
- 7 Ready to Welcome Your Tiny Guests?
Why Hummingbirds Love Lavender: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers primarily for their nectar, a sugary fuel that powers their incredibly fast metabolism. While they are famously attracted to red and orange tubular flowers, lavender, with its abundant, tiny blooms, offers a convenient and consistent food source.
The sheer number of florets on a single lavender spike means a hummingbird can gather a lot of nectar in a short amount of time. Plus, the upright structure of many lavender varieties provides easy access for their long beaks.
The Allure of Nectar-Rich Blooms
Lavender flowers, though small, are packed with nectar. This makes them highly efficient feeding stations for busy hummingbirds. The dense flower spikes create a visual feast and a reliable buffet.
While the strong fragrance of lavender is delightful to us, it’s the nectar that truly calls to the hummingbirds. They don’t rely on scent as much as bees do; instead, they are visual hunters, quickly spotting flowers with promising rewards.
Understanding Hummingbird Preferences
Hummingbirds prefer flowers that are tubular or have small, easily accessible florets. They also favor plants that offer a long blooming season, ensuring a continuous food supply throughout their active months.
Lavender often fits this bill perfectly, especially varieties known for extended bloom times. The compact size of the individual lavender flowers allows the hummingbird to easily probe for nectar without wasting energy.
Understanding What Lavender Plant Do Hummingbirds Like Best
When selecting lavender for your hummingbird garden, it’s all about choosing varieties that offer plentiful nectar, a good bloom structure, and often, a longer flowering period. Here are the top contenders that will have hummers buzzing with delight.
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – The Top Contenders
Often considered the “true” lavender, English lavender varieties are renowned for their strong fragrance, beautiful purple hues, and excellent hardiness. They are also absolute hummingbird magnets!
These lavenders typically have compact growth habits and produce spikes of delicate, nectar-rich flowers. Their bloom time usually starts in late spring to early summer and can extend with proper deadheading.
‘Munstead’
This classic English lavender is a favorite for a reason. ‘Munstead’ produces abundant, deep lavender-blue flowers on compact mounds, usually reaching about 18-24 inches tall.
It’s incredibly hardy and tolerant of various conditions once established. Hummingbirds adore its profusion of blooms, which offer a consistent nectar source from early summer through mid-summer.
‘Hidcote’
Another hugely popular choice, ‘Hidcote’ is known for its intense, dark purple flowers and slightly more compact growth than ‘Munstead’, typically growing to 12-18 inches.
Its deep color and dense flower spikes make it a visual standout and a highly attractive option for hummingbirds. It also boasts a long blooming period, especially with regular deadheading.
Other Notable English Varieties
Beyond ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’, other English lavenders like ‘Lavender Lady’ and ‘Vera’ are also excellent choices. They share similar characteristics of abundant blooms and strong fragrance that appeal to hummingbirds.
Always look for cultivars that are described as “heavy bloomers” or having an “extended flowering season” to maximize their appeal to your tiny visitors.
Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia) – Powerhouse Pollinator Magnets
Lavandins are hybrids of English (L. angustifolia) and Spike (L. latifolia) lavenders. They are generally larger plants, often producing longer flower stalks and blooming later than English lavenders, extending the season for hummingbirds.
These robust plants are known for their vigorous growth and copious amounts of highly fragrant flowers, making them incredible drawcards for all sorts of pollinators, including our beloved hummingbirds.
‘Grosso’
If you’re looking for a serious hummingbird attraction, ‘Grosso’ is a powerhouse. This large lavandin can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide, producing very long, dark purple flower spikes.
It’s a prolific bloomer from mid-summer into early fall, providing a late-season feast for hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. Its sheer size and flower production make it a standout choice.
‘Provence’
‘Provence’ is another fantastic lavandin, similar to ‘Grosso’ but often with a slightly softer, lighter purple flower color. It also grows quite large and produces an abundance of fragrant spikes.
Its extended blooming period is a major plus for hummingbirds, ensuring a continuous supply of nectar when other flowers might be fading. These varieties are perfect for creating a dramatic, pollinator-rich hedge or border.
French and Spanish Lavenders (Lavandula stoechas & dentata) – Unexpected Charms
While English lavenders and lavandins are typically the go-to for hummingbirds, some French and Spanish lavender varieties can also be appealing, especially for gardeners in warmer climates where these types thrive.
French lavender (Lavandula dentata) has serrated leaves and a bushier growth habit, often blooming almost continuously in mild climates. Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is easily recognized by its distinctive “bunny ear” bracts atop the flower spikes.
While their flower shape is different, the sheer number of blooms and their long season can still attract hummingbirds looking for a reliable food source. Keep an eye out for cultivars with dense flower production.
Cultivating a Hummingbird-Friendly Lavender Patch: Expert Growing Tips
Knowing what lavender plant do hummingbirds like is just the first step. To truly create a hummingbird haven, you need to provide the ideal growing conditions for your chosen lavender varieties. Healthy, thriving plants produce more blooms and more nectar!
Site Selection and Soil Preparation
Lavender absolutely loves sun. Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Full sun is key for abundant flowering and strong growth.
The most critical factor for lavender success is excellent drainage. Lavender hates wet feet! Amend heavy clay soils with plenty of coarse sand, gravel, or organic matter to improve drainage. Raised beds are often an ideal solution.
Planting for Success
When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Lavender prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5).
Space your plants according to their mature size, usually 18-36 inches apart, to ensure good air circulation. This helps prevent fungal diseases and allows the plant to spread naturally.
Watering Wisdom and Drainage
Once established, lavender is remarkably drought-tolerant. Overwatering is the most common killer of lavender plants. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
In humid climates, ensure excellent air circulation around the plants. Consider planting on a slight mound or slope to enhance drainage further. This proactive approach prevents root rot, a common issue.
Pruning for Peak Performance
Regular pruning is essential for healthy lavender and continuous blooms. Prune English lavenders and lavandins after their first flush of flowers to encourage a second bloom.
In late fall or early spring, give your lavender a more significant trim, cutting back about one-third of the plant’s growth, ensuring you leave some green leaves on each stem. This promotes bushiness and prevents the plant from becoming woody and leggy.
Feeding Your Lavender
Lavender generally thrives in lean soil and doesn’t require much fertilization. In fact, too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, can lead to lush foliage but fewer flowers.
If your soil is very poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in spring can be beneficial. Alternatively, a thin layer of compost around the base of the plant once a year can provide gentle nourishment.
Designing Your Garden for Maximum Hummingbird Attraction
Beyond just selecting the right lavender, thoughtful garden design can significantly increase your chances of attracting and retaining hummingbirds. Create an inviting habitat that meets all their needs.
Companion Planting with Other Nectar Favorites
While lavender is excellent, hummingbirds appreciate variety. Plant lavender alongside other hummingbird favorites to create a diverse and continuous nectar buffet. Good companions include:
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Its tubular, brightly colored flowers are irresistible.
- Salvia: Many varieties offer long-blooming, nectar-rich spikes.
- Penstemon: Beautiful tubular flowers in a range of colors.
- Honeysuckle Vine: Fragrant and a favorite for climbing.
By planting a mix, you ensure that hummingbirds have food available even when your lavender isn’t at its peak bloom.
Creating a Layered Landscape
Hummingbirds feed at various heights. Incorporate plants of different sizes and structures to cater to their preferences. Plant taller lavandins in the back, medium English lavenders in the middle, and perhaps a low-growing groundcover lavender or other low-profile pollinator plants in the front.
This layered approach provides visual interest for you and diverse feeding opportunities for your tiny visitors. It also creates a more natural, inviting environment.
Beyond Lavender: Adding Water and Shelter
Nectar is only one part of a hummingbird’s needs. To truly make your garden a hummingbird haven, consider adding a water source, such as a shallow bird bath with a mister or a dripper. Hummingbirds love to bathe and preen, and moving water is particularly attractive.
Also, provide nearby shelter. Trees, shrubs, or even tall ornamental grasses can offer a safe perch for them to rest, survey their territory, and escape from predators. A mix of open feeding areas and sheltered spots is ideal.
Common Challenges and Pro Solutions
Even with the best intentions, gardening can present challenges. Here are a couple of common issues you might encounter with lavender and how to overcome them, ensuring your hummingbird magnets thrive.
When Your Lavender Isn’t Blooming
If your lavender isn’t flowering as much as you’d like, several factors could be at play:
- Insufficient Sunlight: Lavender needs at least 6-8 hours of full sun daily. Move it if it’s in too much shade.
- Too Much Nitrogen: Over-fertilizing with nitrogen-rich products encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer sparingly.
- Improper Pruning: Not pruning enough can lead to woody, less floriferous plants. Prune annually as described above.
- Age: Very old, woody lavender plants may produce fewer flowers. Consider replacing them every 5-10 years, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Addressing these points will usually bring your lavender back to its blooming best, ensuring plenty of nectar for hummingbirds.
Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Lavender is generally quite pest-resistant due to its strong scent. However, occasional issues can arise:
- Root Rot: The most common problem, caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure well-draining soil and water sparingly.
- Fungal Diseases (e.g., powdery mildew): Can occur in high humidity or poor air circulation. Ensure proper spacing and prune for airflow.
- Spittlebugs: Small insects that create foamy “spittle” on stems. They are mostly harmless but can be unsightly. A strong jet of water can dislodge them.
Always inspect your plants regularly. Early detection and natural remedies are often all that’s needed to keep your lavender healthy and your hummingbirds happy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Attracting Hummingbirds with Lavender
Do all lavender varieties attract hummingbirds?
While most lavender varieties offer some appeal, English lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia) like ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’, and lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia) such as ‘Grosso’ and ‘Provence’, are generally the most attractive due to their abundant nectar and flower structure.
How much sun does lavender need for hummingbirds?
Lavender needs at least 6-8 hours of full, direct sunlight per day to produce the most blooms and nectar. More sun means more flowers, which means more hummingbirds!
Can I grow lavender in containers for hummingbirds?
Absolutely! Growing lavender in containers is a great option, especially if you have heavy soil or limited garden space. Choose a large pot with excellent drainage holes and use a well-draining potting mix. Container-grown lavender can be moved to optimal sunny spots.
What other plants pair well with lavender for hummingbirds?
For a hummingbird-friendly garden, pair lavender with other nectar-rich plants like Bee Balm (Monarda), Salvia, Penstemon, Agastache (Hyssop), and even certain varieties of Phlox or Zinnia. Aim for a mix of bloom times to provide continuous food.
Is lavender safe for hummingbirds?
Yes, lavender is generally considered safe for hummingbirds. They primarily consume the nectar, which is not harmful to them. As with any garden plant, avoid using systemic pesticides that could contaminate the nectar if you’re aiming to attract pollinators.
Ready to Welcome Your Tiny Guests?
There’s nothing quite like the sight of a hummingbird darting through your garden, and by understanding what lavender plant do hummingbirds like, you’re well on your way to creating a truly magical space. From the classic charm of ‘Munstead’ to the robust presence of ‘Grosso’, these lavender varieties are proven winners for attracting these incredible birds.
Remember, a thriving lavender plant is a happy hummingbird magnet. Provide plenty of sun, excellent drainage, and a little tender loving care, and your garden will soon be buzzing with life. So, go ahead, pick your favorite lavender, get planting, and prepare to enjoy the enchanting aerial show these tiny jewels bring!
