Here's Another Reason Hummingbird Lovers Should Plant Fast-Growing Sunflowers In The Garden

Just like their namesake, the iconic yellow ray florets of the sunflower can brighten your day, making them a perfect addition to any garden. The sunflower, known scientifically as Helianthus annuus, is easy to grow, making it a great option for beginner gardeners, and it attracts pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds.

Though a sunflower is colloquially referred to a singular flower, it is actually a composite inflorescence made up of many small flowers, which include the yellow ray florets and the brown disk florets at the center of the larger "flower." The eye-catching yellow rays, or the "petals," will attract hummingbirds, but they're not after the bright, pretty color — they're hungry. When you spot a hummingbird buzzing around your sunflower, you'll see it dipping its beak into the center, feeding from the brown, nectar-producing disk florets. While there is not much nectar in an individual floret, there is enough in one place to provide a good snack for the hummingbird. This makes the sunflower an appealing option for those who would like to invite more hummingbirds to their yard or garden.

When looking for flowers, hummingbirds prefer those with tubular shapes so they can utilize their long beaks to draw out the food. Sunflowers lack this characteristic, but they still offer the hummingbird an easy source of nectar. Plus, their height helps them catch the bird's eye. Of the many sunflower varieties, 'Autumn Beauty,' 'Teddy Bear,' and 'Giant Sungold' are the best for attracting hummingbirds, as they provide the most nectar and make for a good landing spot.

Hummingbirds are visually drawn to red, orange, and pink flowers. Even though the sunflower is classically known as a yellow flower, it also comes in red, orange, and bicolor varieties that could appeal to a hummingbird. Some alternate colors include 'Red Queen,' 'Soraya,' and Sunset Flare.' While sunflowers might act as a billboard for hummingbirds in need of a meal, you can attract more to your garden by enticing them with feeders and other flowering plants native to your area.

As you might have inferred from the name, sunflowers prefer full sunlight. They bloom in the summer, when the sun exposure is greatest and thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, where the weather is warm. To appeal to the hungry hummingbird, plant sunflowers close together. This allows plenty of opportunity for hummingbirds to flit from flower-to-flower, sucking up nectar in the process.

Sunflowers are easy to propagate from seeds, but you can also start with a more mature plant, growing it in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. If you want your sunflower to grow tall, shelter it from strong wind by planting it near a fence or the side of your house. As the sunflower grows, make sure it doesn't become waterlogged after it rains, and be careful not to overwater. The eager gardener might be wondering how long sunflowers take to grow. Well, the plant's health and environment certainly play a factor, but they will usually mature from 70 to 120 days after the seeds are sown. This means you will only have to wait a few months to enjoy your sunflowers and the hummingbirds they can bring.