The Late Summer Flower That Hummingbirds Can't Resist Visiting

Hummingbirds are a welcome sight in your garden during spring and summer. Who wouldn't enjoy a visit from these tiny birds? Starting a pollinator garden is an easy way to ensure bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds stop by to try the different nectar offerings from your plants. If you garden in northern climates with freezing winters, by late summer or early fall, hummingbirds will migrate down south to find warmer temperatures. Nowadays though, you might still encounter a hummingbird zipping around your garden well into late fall. Ruby-throated hummingbirds have been spotted hanging around in October and even until December! Cold-hardy hummingbirds, like Rufous and Anna's, are frequent visitors to gardens throughout the fall season. If you'd like to offer sustenance to late migrating hummingbirds, you may want to consider planting blue anise sage (Salvia guaranitica). 

To attract hummingbirds, planting any variety of sage (Salvia spp.) is always a safe bet. They can't get enough of the colorful hues of its tubular blossoms, which are overbrimming with sweet nectar. Out of the many types, blue anise sage seems to be one of their absolute favorites. Blooming from summer until fall, these perennials feature two-lipped purple, blue, or white flower clusters that sit on spikes that can grow up to ten inches long. While hummingbirds are known for their love of all things red, they are equally attracted to blue and purple, especially if these flowers contain nectar. Hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10, blue anise sage can also be grown as an annual in colder regions. This beautiful, deer-resistant flower can reach six feet tall, and does best in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. 

Native to regions in South America like Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, blue anise sage is also known as anise-scented sage or Brazilian sage. Its upright growing habit means it's a great option for borders, containers, mass plantings, and of course, pollinator gardens. As you can imagine from its tropical habitat, blue anise sage does not mind growing conditions that are hot, humid, and prone to drought. If grown as an annual, blue anise sage won't get as big, instead staying under three feet tall. If you want to include this fragrant stunner in your garden, it's best to plant it either in the spring or early summer. If you're planting more than one, make sure to leave 24 to 35 inches between each one to accommodate its eventual spread, and promote good air circulation. Water often to keep the soil consistently moist until your plant is established. Although it's drought-tolerant, blue anise sage doesn't mind regular watering, especially during severe hot weather or periods with no rainfall. 

Place your blue anise sage in an area that gets full sun. It can tolerate partial shade, but it might turn leggy, flop over, and produce less flowers. It does best in humus-rich soil and won't really thrive in clay soils. In July, its tubular flowers will start to appear, and this salvia will provide endless blooms all summer. Hummingbirds can't resist the easy-to-spot spikes, and their long beaks and tongue have no problem drinking the nectar stored deep inside the tubular blossoms. Flowering season will last until October, which gives hummingbirds a few extra months to fuel up on nectar.