The Late Summer Blooming Flower That Can Lure Hummingbirds Into The Garden

If you want to attract more hummingbirds into your yard, bringing in native flowering plants is a great start. However, it is also helpful to reflect on the blooming seasons for the plants you pick. Choosing flowers with different blooming periods means that the hummingbirds in your area have a supply of nectar throughout the year. It also means that you can enjoy color and life in your garden for longer. 

If you are looking for a late summer blooming flower to bring hummingbirds into your garden, consider anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). Flowering from June to September, anise hyssop is a perennial native to Northern North America and thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8. 

Hummingbirds enjoy tubular flowers, which are an ideal shape for them to feed on the nectar. Anise hyssop suits them perfectly, with its long, densely packed stems and flowers. The plant blooms well into September, providing nectar throughout fall. Growing up to 4 feet in height, anise hyssop is a great addition to borders and wildflower gardens, but it also can thrive in containers. 

Anise hyssop isn't fussy when it comes to the soil it grows in, as long as it has good drainage. It can be grown in full or partial sun, and is tolerant of drought once it has established itself. You can purchase potted anise hyssop plants to add directly to your garden, but it is also a fairly easy flower to grow from seed. As a generally problem-free perennial, it doesn't need much maintenance when it has settled in. However, you may wish to deadhead it throughout its blooming season to encourage it to continue producing flowers. It does self-sow, but it isn't too aggressive when it comes to spreading. Still, you may want to keep an eye out for new growths cropping up in your yard!

When planting anise hyssop in your garden, consider adding other flowers that attract hummingbirds alongside it. Opt for native flowers with earlier blooms, as this will provide food for them for longer. It is also helpful to layer the plants in your garden to bring in more hummingbirds. Planting vegetation of different heights around your anise hyssop, including trees and vines, will create a hummingbird paradise in your backyard.