Plant This Colorful Perennial In November To Attract More Hummingbirds In Spring

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If you have been researching how to boost the amount of wildlife visiting your yard, you have likely heard that hummingbirds can be attracted using bright colors in shades of red, yellow, and orange. As a result, you may be tempted to create summer beds bursting with color by growing plants that feature large, striking flowers in the hope of inviting these sweet winged creatures into your yard. However, once the flowers have died away, your garden may be left barren and colorless until the next blooming season. Luckily, the clever hybrid Heucherella 'Pumpkin Spice' — a mix between Heuchera and foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia) — is the best of both worlds.

Not only does this plant attract hummingbirds in the spring, but it also offers stunning, colorful foliage year-round. Popular pollinators, such as hummingbirds and butterflies, are attracted to this plant because of its sweet, clumped white flowers, which appear in the spring and early summer. In addition, its bright, bronze-colored leaves with attractive dark-red centers, may also be a reason that these creatures are drawn to this unique plant. Whatever the main point of interest, planting this hybrid in your garden is beneficial to local pollinators and to you as a gardener, as it is easy to grow and adaptable in a variety of situations (though it does best in Hardiness zones 4 to 9). With an impressive range of benefits, this is a colorful evergreen you should plant in the fall to enjoy next spring and summer to benefit both you and your resident hummingbirds.

To add this beautiful evergreen to your yard, you will first want to find the ideal planting spot. The Heucherella 'Pumpkin Spice' tends to thrive in full sun or part shade, though you may need to water it more often if you decide to place it in all-day sun. Look for an area with healthy, varied soil that drains well and is either mildly acidic or neutral. If you live in a colder climate, you can also try placing this charming orange plant in an outdoor container and bringing it inside during the winter to prevent freezing. Finally, remember that hummingbirds generally prefer a mixture of tall, short, and medium shrubs that mimics their natural forested habitat. So, a smart way to draw more hummingbirds into your yard or garden is to plant your 'Pumpkin Spice' in a bed that features a range of plants with varied heights, so they feel protected while grazing. Good companion plants include Athyrium 'Ghost' and Hosta 'Island Breeze.'

When you're ready to plant, dig a hole about twice the size of the pot the heucherella comes in, then place it in, making sure the top of the root ball is a couple of inches above the soil level. Next, surround the plant with soil and water heavily, adding more soil if it sinks lower. You can then add a layer of mulch on top, such as this Brut Worms Farm Organic Aspen Mulch from Amazon. This is an important step to repeat in the winter as it can help prevent the roots from freezing and pulling out of the soil in cold temperatures.