Three Plants Hummingbirds Will Keep Coming Back For
By CYNTHIA ANAYA
When it comes to attracting hummingbirds to your garden, three plants stand out for their ability to draw these beloved creatures: bull thistle, pussy willow, and dandelions.
Bull thistle is a towering herbaceous weed that produces purplish pink flowers rich in nectar and pollen during the summer, making it an excellent "meal" spot for these tiny birds.
Hummers also utilize the plant's fibrous material to build nests. However, bull thistle is an invasive species, so it's crucial to choose its location in the yard carefully.
Similarly, the pussy willow — a shrub that blooms in spring and can grow over 8 feet tall — captivates with its unique flowers and provides a significant food source for the birds.
The dandelion, often dismissed as a mere lawn weed, proves to be a valuable asset. It offers soft down for nest lining and serves as an additional food source for hummingbirds.