Not Salvia, Not Zinnia: The Fragrant Flowering Tree Hummingbirds Can't Resist

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When it comes to attracting hummingbirds, salvias and zinnias are usually among the first plants gardeners recommend. They are colorful, easy to grow, and suitable even for beginners. The downside is that zinnias offer very little fragrance, while salvias only have scented foliage. They are not really ideal for gardeners who are looking for fragrant blooms with hummingbird appeal. That is where Arthur Menzies Mahonia (Mahonia x media 'Arthur Menzies') can help! It is an evergreen shrub with bright lemon-yellow flowers that appear on the plant from November to February. These flowers are not only fragrant, but they also attract hummingbirds by providing an important nectar source when few other flowers bloom during winter.

Even better? Arthur Menzies Mahonia is resistant to rabbits and deer, and they also attract bees and other pollinating insects. It also produces berries, which are a food source for many migrating and local birds. Honestly, it is one of the best plants to grow for a biodiverse garden. When fully grown, Arthur Menzies Mahonia reaches roughly 6 to 10 feet in height and 4 to 6 feet in width and features attractive, rich green pinnate foliage with finely cut leaflets.

It fits nicely into winter gardens and can be used both as a specimen plant and as an accent or border plant in landscapes. Just note that Arthur Menzies Mahonia is only hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10. Plus, when you are growing it in warm zones, it will need a sheltered location. If, however, you live outside its hardiness zones, you will need to find some other winter-blooming plants that will have hummingbirds visiting your yard year-round.

If you are planning to grow Arthur Menzies Mahonia in your garden or yard, find a spot that is in partial shade and offers protection from cold winter winds. You can also grow it in full sun, though, if the sun does not get very intense where you live. Mahonias, in general, however, grow and flower best in some shade. Besides that, keep the soil well-drained and evenly moist. Just make sure it never stays soggy or waterlogged. Keep the pH of the soil neutral as well. There are many home-based soil testing kits, like Luster Leaf's Rapitest Soil Test Kit for Gardens, that you can use to check the pH of your soil at home.

As for propagation, you can grow Arthur Menzies Mahonia from stem cuttings from late summer to autumn. Mahonias do not grow true to type when propagated from seed. It is also important to note here that Arthur Menzies Mahonia grows at a slow rate, so if you are looking for a plant that will quickly fill your garden with bright flowers and hummingbirds, this might not be the right choice. On the brighter side, even though slow-growing, Arthur Menzies Mahonia can live for up to 20 years. Plus, once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant.

Still, if you can give the plant about one inch of water every week, as the plants can get yellow when they are kept dry for too long. Furthermore, prune the plant in late winter to maintain its shape and remove any damaged and dead branches. Just remember the three D rule to properly prune your plants.