Hummingbird feeding from red flowered plant
Home - Garden
Attract Hummingbirds To Your Garden With Mint's Flowering Relative
By LIBBY THOMPSON
Leonotis leonurus commonly goes by the name lion's ear, lion's tail, or lion's claw, and is an aesthetically pleasing flower that will help turn your yard into a hummingbird haven.
As pollinators, hummingbirds require the nectar of flowers in order to stay alive. Lion's ear plants flower from spring until early winter and are resistant to deer and insects.
This makes it a great source of food for hummingbirds. Lion’s ear can grow large quickly, reaching a size of 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, so it’s important to give it ample space.
Native to South Africa, this drought-resistant plant loves the heat and is sensitive to overwatering. Plant it in full sun since it needs at least six hours of sunlight a day.
As a member of the mint family, lion's ear will self-seed and spread where allowed. To keep your plants full and bushy, prune them once they've finished flowering for the year.