With their bright, colorful blooms and tubular flowers, zinnias are a popular choice for gardeners looking to attract pollinators like hummingbirds. But do zinnias really catch the attention of these fast-flying birds? Let’s take a closer look.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Yes, zinnias do attract hummingbirds. Their tubular flowers provide an ideal feeding spot for hummingbirds’ long, slender beaks. Certain zinnia varieties, like those with red or orange blooms, are especially attractive.
What Attracts Hummingbirds to Flowers
Nectar Production
Hummingbirds are highly attracted to flowers that produce abundant nectar, which is their primary food source. Zinnias happen to be a flowering plant that secretes copious amounts of sugary nectar, making them a favorite for hummingbirds.
The nectar provides the birds with the high-energy carbohydrates they need to power their rapid wing beats and hovering flight patterns. Some zinnia varieties, like the Benary’s Giants series, are specifically bred to have extra nectar production to better entice hummingbirds to visit.
Color
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds are visually drawn to brightly colored flowers in shades of red, orange, and pink. These warm, vibrant petal colors act as a signal, advertising to the birds that nectar awaits inside.
Zinnias come in a wide spectrum of dazzling hues like scarlet red, coral, and fuchsia, perfectly matching a hummingbird’s color vision and preferences. Studies show that hummingbirds can see these colors even more vividly than humans, further enhancing the eye-catching appeal of a zinnia’s petals.
Flower Shape
Hummingbirds favor tubular-shaped flowers that are well-suited for accessing nectar with their slender beaks and extended tongues. Luckily, most zinnias have the ideal flower form, with a central disc of nectar-producing florets surrounded by colorful ray petals.
The nectaries are easily reachable for a hummingbird hovering at the entrance. Zinnias in the cactus-flowered variety have flatter blossoms, though they still contain a short, straight path to feed on nectar.
Overall, a zinnia’s open yet cup-like flowers provide an alluring landing pad for hummingbirds seeking their next tasty meal.
Key Traits of Zinnias That Attract Hummingbirds
Tubular Flowers
One of the main reasons zinnias are so attractive to hummingbirds is their tubular flower shape. The long, narrow flowers are perfectly designed for a hummingbird’s long, slender beak to reach inside and access the nectar.
Species like the Benary’s Giant, California Giant, and Li’l Zin zinnias have flowers with a pronounced tubular shape that makes accessing the nectar simple for hummingbirds.
Color Variety
Hummingbirds are attracted to blooms in fiery shades of red, orange and yellow. Zinnias come in a huge range of warm, vivid colors like scarlet, crimson, coral, gold and burnt orange. These bright, bold blooms are like a beacon for hummingbirds, inviting them to stop by for a nourishing nectar meal.
Some top color choices to attract hummingbirds include the Zinnia ‘Zowie Yellow Flame’, ‘Scarlet Flame’ and ‘Cherry Queen’.
Continuous Blooms
Hummingbirds appreciate zinnias because they are prolific, long-lasting bloomers. Most zinnia varieties will continuously pump out flowers all summer and even into fall. This gives hummingbirds a reliable nectar source for months on end. Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowers to form.
To keep the nectar bounty going, make sure to promptly remove faded zinnia blossoms. The Benary’s Giants can bloom abundantly for up to 20 weeks!
The Best Zinnia Varieties for Hummingbirds
Traditional Single Blooms
The most common zinnia varieties that entice hummingbirds are the single blooms with bright, solid colors like red, orange, pink or purple. These timeless favorites include Zinnia elegans cultivars such as ‘Scarlet Flame’, ‘Canary Bird’, and ‘Magellan Coral’ with large 3-4 inch blooms on sturdy 18-24 inch stems.
Other top single flower type zinnias loved by hummingbirds are the Zinnia marylandica or prairie zinnias like ‘Zahara Starlight Rose’. These tough prairie natives produce a plethora of 2 inch blooms nonstop all season long and thrive in heat and drought.
Dahlia-Flowered Doubles
The colorful, multi-petaled dahlia-flowered zinnias are magnets for hummingbirds too. These peony style blooms look almost too perfect to be real! Varieties such as ‘Queen Red Lime’ with 6-8 inch scarlet red and lime green blooms and ‘Benary’s Giant Wine’ with 5-6 inch dark red purple flowers never fail to attract hummingbirds.
Other stunning doubles that entice hummingbirds are the pollen-free kinds like the ‘Zowie Yellow Flame’ and ‘Santa Fe Grandes’ which produce abundant colorful 4-5 inch blooms throughout summer into fall frosts.
Cactus Types
For something more unique, try the cactus-flowered zinnias. These intriguing flowers have quill-like petals that twist and curl into interesting shapes. The Profusion series ‘Cherry’ and ‘Orange’ produce 2 inch hot red-orange blooms by the dozens on disease resistant 12-15 inch plants from spring to fall.
Another cactus flowered favorite is ‘Zinnita Mini Cactus Mix’, an All America Selections winner. These cute 8-10 inch tall plants bloom continuously with 1-2 inch bicolor flowers in shades of red, orange, pink and yellow that attract hummingbirds all season.
As you can see, zinnias come in a wide assortment of colorful varieties that will tempt hummingbirds to stop by for a drink. Try mass planting different types together for maximum appeal!
Where to Plant Zinnias for Maximum Hummingbird Visitation
Full Sun Exposure
Zinnias thrive in full sunlight, so choosing a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day is ideal. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors and will be drawn to vibrant zinnias blooming in a sunny spot.
Select an open area of your yard or garden free from shade where zinnias can soak up the sun. South or west-facing spots are great options. You’ll be rewarded with a colorful parade of hummingbirds visiting your cheerful zinnias!
Near Nectar Sources
Strategically planting zinnias near existing nectar plants will increase hummingbird traffic to your zinnias. Consider locating your zinnias near flowering shrubs like lantana, fuchsia, or abelia that already attract hummingbirds.
Or situate zinnias beside other tubular flowers like trumpet vine, penstemon, and bee balm that provide nectar. Hummingbirds will spot the zinnias amongst these other flowers and stop by for a snack! Grouping plantings together makes it easier for hummingbirds to move from one nectar source to the next.
Sheltered Areas
Hummingbirds appreciate protection from wind and rain as they feed. Planting zinnias in a sheltered spot safe from harsh elements will encourage prolonged visits. Locations tucked near buildings, fences, or trees offer cover.
You can also situate zinnias on the leeward side of your home or beside dense hedges. Hummingbirds are territorial, so they prefer protected spaces where they can feed without being hassled. A sheltered area allows them to enjoy zinnia nectar at their leisure.
Just be sure the area still receives ample sunlight for blooms.
Companion Plants That Complement Zinnias
Salvia
Salvia is an excellent companion plant for zinnias that helps attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. The bright red, pink, or purple flowers of salvia complement the bold colors of zinnias quite well in garden beds and borders.
Salvia pairs nicely next to zinnias of all sizes, from dwarf varieties to giant dahlia-flowered zinnias. Some great salvia varieties to grow with zinnias include Salvia farinacea (mealycup sage), Salvia guaranitica (Andean sage), and Salvia splendens (scarlet sage).
In addition to attracting pollinators, salvia helps distract pests away from zinnias. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid the fragrant foliage of salvia. Since salvia and zinnias have similar needs for full sun exposure and moderately fertile soil, they make great partners in the garden.
Fuchsia
The pendulous flowers of fuchsia offer a nice contrast to the bold, upright blooms of zinnias. Fuchsia’s range of colors including red, pink, purple and white complement most zinnia varieties. Try combining them in containers or planting fuchsia along borders edged with zinnias.
Hummingbirds just love visiting the nectar-rich blooms of fuchsia, so it will help draw more of these winged-pollinators to your zinnias.
In addition to attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, fuchsia serves as a “trap plant” that draws aphids away from zinnias. Fuchsias tend to be more susceptible to aphids, protecting nearby zinnias from these sap-sucking pests.
Fuchsias appreciate the same growing conditions as zinnias – full sun to partial shade and average to rich soil.
Bee Balm
Also known as monarda, bee balm is beloved by pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The tubular flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple and white that provide a nice complementary color to zinnias. Hummingbirds just can’t resist bright red bee balm blossoms!
Plant bee balm next to zinnias along borders or in containers.
In addition to attracting pollinators, bee balm helps mask the scent of zinnias to pests like Japanese beetles with its own strong fragrance from leaves. It also serves as a trap plant, drawing aphids away from nearby zinnias.
Bee balm thrives in the same conditions as zinnias – full sun and medium to rich well-drained soil.
By pairing zinnias with companion plants like salvia, fuchsia and bee balm that attract pollinators, repel pests, and have complementary colors and growth habits, you’ll have a thriving, beautiful garden that really comes alive!
Conclusion
With their bright colors, tubular shape, and nonstop blooms, zinnias have several traits that make them magnets for hummingbirds. Planting zinnias near other nectar-rich flowers and in full sun areas sheltered from wind establishes an ideal habitat to attract these energetic pollinators.
Zinnias complement many other hummingbird favorites like salvias, making them a great addition to any garden visited by these tiny birds.
