Hummingbirds are one of the smallest birds and belong to the Trochilidae family. Hummingbirds are mostly found in the tropical zone with a variety of more than three hundred and fifty species.
On the other hand, begonia belongs to the Begoniaceae family and possesses about two thousand species. Today, we are going to discuss whether hummingbirds like begonias or not.
Do hummingbirds like begonias?
Hummingbirds generally like begonias as begonia flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are fascinated by the colorful blooms produced by begonias. They can also be seen feeding on the sweet nectar that is found inside begonia flowers.
Begonia is a flowering plant that is known for having a large variety of colors and species. They are also a low-maintenance plant as they do well in both partial shade and full sun. Begonias are known for producing colorful blooms.
These blooms are great at grabbing the attention of hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds are also attracted to the sweet nectar produced by begonia plants. They are often seen feeding on the nectar in summer. The nectar of begonias plays an important part in the growth cycle of hummingbirds.
As begonias do well under partial shade, they can be hung from a basket near the window to attract hummingbirds. They can also be grown in gardens to attract hummingbirds throughout the year.
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden or your house, you can definitely take the help of begonias. Their ability as hummingbird attracting plant is proven and effective.
Are hummingbirds attracted to begonias?
Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to begonias. They are attracted to begonias because of the nectar produced by the begonia flowers.
Nectar is an essential part of a hummingbird’s daily diet. Many flowers have nectar, but hummingbirds are attracted to begonias for their beautiful-looking flowers too.
The watery solution found on the body of a flower is known as nectar. It might seem like normal water to the eyes. But it possesses important food components that are needed for a hummingbird’s natural growth.
Besides being prey for hummingbirds, nectar works as a pollinator for flowers.
So the attraction between hummingbirds and begonias is mutually beneficial for both parties. Hummingbirds help begonias to pollinate and the nectar of begonias fill the empty stomach of hummingbirds in return. Nectar contains a lot of valuable food nutrients.
They are sugar, salt, acid, and protein. These nutrients help the growth of hummingbirds and save them from starvation.
Do begonias have nectar for hummingbirds?
Begonias are known for producing sweet nectar. Begonias are mainly planted as an annual plant as they can not survive the winter when planted outdoors. But in the summer, you can see hummingbirds feeding on the nectar produced by begonias.
Lots of other flowers produce nectar, hummingbirds are particularly attracted to brightly colored flowers. Begonias have colorful blossoms and wonderful shapes. This is why hummingbirds prefer feeding on begonias instead of other flowers.
Begonias are also known for being small in size and have an average height of one foot. This enables the bird lovers to hand begonias from a basket so that hummingbirds can feed on them in the summer. Hummingbirds are color-loving birds and they also need nectar for their growth.
This combination makes begonias the perfect feeding material for hummingbirds.
Do hummingbirds like these begonias?
Begonias are versatile and contain many species. Let’s look at some species and discuss whether hummingbirds like them or not.
Dragon wing begonias:
Dragon wing begonias are famous for producing pink blooms. Hummingbirds usually get attracted by dragon wing begonias. Hanging the dragon wing begonias from baskets is key to attracting hummingbirds towards them.
Dragon wing begonias are able to cope with scorching heat which makes them an ideal feeding station for hummingbirds in the summer.
Tuberous begonias:
Tuberous begonias have the ability to produce a whole variety of blooms. The color of the blooms includes red, yellow, pink, white, and orange. Out of all these different blooms, the red blooms of tuberous begonias attract the hummingbirds the most.
Because hummingbirds are naturally fascinated by the red color.
Tuberous begonias are also known for blooming in the summer and providing nectar for hummingbirds to feed on.
Red begonias:
As discussed above, the red color attracts hummingbirds more than any other color. There are many varieties of begonias that are famous for producing red blooms. Hummingbirds are attracted to the red begonias by nature.
Hummingbirds like all kinds of red begonias if they are able to produce the much-needed nectar.
Rieger begonias:
Rieger begonias are an exceptional variety of begonias as they are known for blooming in the winter. Most of the begonia varieties bloom in the summer. Rieger begonias produce salmon blooms.
Hummingbirds like feeding on the nectar produced by the Rieger begonias throughout the winter.
Wax begonias:
Most of the begonias are known as shade-loving plants. But wax begonias have the ability to bloom under the sun as well. It enables them to be used as both indoor and outdoor plants. Hummingbirds are attracted to the pink blooms of wax begonias.
Which begonias are best for hummingbirds?
Begonias are rich with two thousand different varieties and species. Not all of these varieties and species are able to attract hummingbirds. Let’s look at some of the begonias which are ideal for hummingbirds.
- Tuberous begonias
- Charm begonias
- Richmond begonias
- Dragon wing begonias
- Nonstop begonias
- Wax begonias
- Cocktail begonias
- Rieger begonias
- Rex begonias
- Elatior begonias
- Angel wing begonias
- Mountain begonias
- Sparreana begonias
What plants attract hummingbirds?
There are lots of flower plants that are able to attract hummingbirds towards them. Let’s discuss in detail some of them.
Begonia Plant:
Begonias are known for attracting hummingbirds in the summer. They are rich in nectar which the hummingbirds enjoy feeding on. Begonia plants can be hung from the basket for hummingbirds to visit.
There are also some varieties of begonia plants available that produce blooms in the winter and attract hummingbirds.
Bee Balm plant:
The name of bee balm may have given away the fact that they are famous for attracting bees. But besides bees, they can attract hummingbirds too. Bee balm plants are known for producing pink, white, and red blooms.
Bee balm plants can be grown under partial shade. But they grow the best under full sun.
Columbine plant:
The Columbine plant is another flower that is known for attracting hummingbirds. Especially, their yellow and red blooms are great at fascinating hummingbirds. These plants can be grown in both partial shade and full sun.
Bleeding heart plant:
Bleeding heart plants do an amazing job when it comes to attracting hummingbirds. Their beautiful blooms come back every year and catch the eyes of hummingbirds.
Cardinal plant:
Even after being a wildflower, cardinal plants are great at attracting hummingbirds. Especially, the red blooms of cardinal plants are the reason behind the cardinal’s success as a hummingbird attracting plant despite having a short blooming period.
Geranium plant:
Geranium plants are famous as hummingbird attracting plants because of their variety of flowers. The hummingbirds are fascinated by the colorful blooms of geranium plants.
How to attract more hummingbirds to your garden?
Gardeners who are also bird lovers like to see the small-sized hummingbirds in their garden. There are some tips and tricks that you can follow to attract more hummingbirds to your garden. They are:
Grow hummingbird attracting plants:
Hummingbirds like feeding on the nectar produced by the flowers. But they are not attracted to all the flowers.
You have to plant special hummingbird attracting plants like begonia, bee balm, bleeding heart, cardinal, geranium, columbine, and others to attract hummingbirds to your garden.
You have to plant both winter-blooming and summer-blooming hummingbird attracting plants in your garden if you want to see hummingbirds flying around your garden all year.
Prune the flowers:
You will need to prune the flowers of your garden after it has produced blooms. This will compel the flowers plants to produce more blooms which gives you a better chance at attracting hummingbirds to your garden.
Install colorful and durable feeders:
You will need to install colorful feeders in your garden to attract hummingbirds. These feedings need to be strong as well in order to support the hummingbirds. Installing colorful and durable feeders help the process of attracting hummingbirds greatly.
Add a resting place:
You can install a resting place for hummingbirds inside your garden. This acts as a temporary nest for hummingbirds as they can get tired from flapping their wings continuously. This added notion of resting place will give you a better chance of attracting hummingbirds.
Final Thoughts
Hummingbirds like begonias for their colorful blooms and sweet nectar. The nectar produced by begonias is an important part of a hummingbird’s diet. People often plant begonias in their gardens to attract hummingbirds in the summer. Begonias can also be planted in partial shade near the window.