Not Salvia, Not Zinnia: The Fresh-Smelling Flower Hummingbirds Can't Resist

When you're starting a pollinator-friendly garden, you may find yourself debating the best plants to include for attracting hummingbirds. Overall, salvia and zinnia flowers are typically top contenders, both of which fill your garden with color while offering nectar that hummingbirds (and other pollinators) can't resist. However, if your goal is to attract more hummingbirds to your yard, they aren't your only choices. Instead, you can also plant ginger lilies, a fresh-smelling flower that hummingbirds won't want to resist.

Ginger lilies (Hedychium spp.) are another genus of flower that showcases beautiful fall blooms. Whereas zinnias and salvia may light up your garden during the earlier growing season, adding ginger lilies ensures that your favorite feathered friends have a steady nectar source during the latter half of the year. While ginger lilies are great at enticing hummingbirds to visit your garden, that's not the only benefit they offer. They're also exceptionally fragrant, with a fresh smell that turns your garden into a tropical paradise.

One thing to keep in mind with ginger lilies is that they are a genus of plants with several species. As a result, not every ginger lily is the same as its cousin, and it's important to choose the right species for your yard if you want the best chance at spotting hummingbirds. You'll also want to brush up on the right care for your specific species, although learning the genus' basic requirements can help.

Ginger lilies are perennials. As a result, they'll come back year after year in your yard — so long as you offer them the right care and you're located in the right USDA hardiness zone. These fragrant flowers are hardy in USDA zones 7b to 10, readily thriving in those areas without harsh winters.

Care specifics such as sunlight needs and water requirements often depend on your exact variety. However, overall, ginger lilies do well in a variety of lightings. They can grow in full sun, which is perfect for drawing hummingbirds to a sunny garden, as well as partial shade and dappled lighting. As far as soil goes, provide them a well-draining medium that keeps them from becoming waterlogged. They do prefer moist soil, however, so don't allow them to dry out. 

Ginger lilies aren't picky about how they're grown. They do well in containers and in beds through your garden. Some varieties are also deer resistant, which is an added perk for lower maintenance. When growing any flowering plant to attract hummingbirds, the key is to provide optimal care to produce the most flowers. After all, the more nectar-filled flowers that attracts hummingbirds means a better chance at seeing those vibrant fliers in your garden.