Why Not All Flowers Are Hummingbird-Friendly
Hummingbirds may visit hundreds of different flower species, but not every type of flower is equally appealing to these nectivorous birds. With approximately 400,000 flowering plants in the world, there are many blooms that hummingbirds do not like. Many flowers produce no nectar at all, and therefore have no food that will satisfy a hungry hummer. Furthermore, hummingbirds have evolved their specialized, needle-like bills to probe deep into flowers with elongated tubular shapes, and flowers that have other shapes such as puffs, bowls, saucers, or lips are less attractive to hummingbirds. Because hummingbirds often hover while feeding, flowers that do not provide good space for hovering birds are also less appealing.
When a flower blooms can also affect how attractive it may be to hummingbirds. For example, some of the earliest spring flowers in northern regions reach their peak long before hummingbirds return from their winter ranges, and therefore are of no use to the birds. Similarly, late-blooming varieties may only be bountiful when hummingbirds have already left on their fall migration, and so wouldn’t be useful as a food source.
Flowers Hummingbirds Don’t Like
While any curious hummingbird may investigate any flower before it decides whether or not to sip at the bloom or stay nearby, some flowers that are most popular in landscaping, containers, and gardens are least popular with hummingbirds. Blooms that do not strongly appeal to hummingbirds include:
- Crocuses
- Daffodils
- Dianthus
- Forget-me-nots
- Gardenias
- Irises
- Lilacs
- Lily of the valley
- Marigolds
- Oriental lilies
- Peonies
- Roses
- Sunflowers
- Sweet peas
- Tulips
Information extracted from https://www.thespruce.com/, non-commercial use.For personal study only