The Flowering Vine Hummingbirds Love That Can Thrive In The Shade

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Your garden is a haven for pollinators and entertaining visitors, like the beautiful hummingbird. Although there isn't any clear explanation, hummingbirds seem to be attracted to the color red more than any other color in your yard or garden. There are red, fairy-like shrubs that attract hummingbirds, which require full sun, that you can incorporate. But if you have shady areas, you may wonder what you can plant that still has the power to attract hummingbirds in your yard or garden. The flowering vine that can thrive in shade that hummingbirds love is the honeysuckle vine (Lonicera canadensis), but more specifically, the red variety coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).

Most honeysuckle varieties are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, with some thriving just outside of those ranges. While plenty of flowers can attract hummingbirds, the coral honeysuckle vines can grow from about 3 feet to as long as 20 feet, and work well in partly shady areas that don't receive as much sun during the day. The coral honeysuckle is a vine that is frequently visited by hummingbirds, sprouting some eye catching coral-red and orange tube-like blooms.

Coral honeysuckle is also called woodbine or trumpet honeysuckle. It's relatively easy to grow and attracts other excellent pollinators to your yard, like bees and butterflies, besides the entertaining hummingbird. You can begin growing your honeysuckle in a container with well-draining soil and holes for the water to seep through. Use a compost mix with potting soil and fertilizer, like this Doter Seed Starter Potting Soil. When ready to transplant outdoors, select an area with a fence, trellis, or another similar structure that the vine can climb and cover. Ensure proper watering and moisture without overhydrating. During its growing season in the spring, you can add fertilizer for healthy blooms. Take time to prune the plant during the off-season, in late fall or winter, to encourage new growth and remove any overgrowth on the vine. Prune lightly if it's been more than a couple of seasons to ensure you still get some blooms during the spring and summer.

Hummingbirds love coral honeysuckle for more than just its gorgeous orange and red blooms. The nectar that this vine produces is a kind that hummingbirds will keep coming back to eat. So with this vine, you're sure to see them all season long! Plus, you can grow coral honeysuckle as a privacy screen. Along with the frequent visits from pollinators, it's a gorgeous flowering plant that adds color and privacy to your space.