Hummingbirds and geraniums share some qualities that make them a favorite among homeowners and nature enthusiasts. For example, they’re both little and colorful, making them impossible to overlook whenever we see them.
But the question now is, do hummingbirds like geraniums? Despite their tiny size, hummingbirds are actually ferocious eaters. Experts believe that they need to eat around three times their body weight everyday just to survive, mainly because they’re constantly on the move.
Now, to explain more of the details about a Hummingbird’s diet, including whether or not they like geraniums, we have provided the information below!
Do Hummingbirds Like Geraniums?
Before we go any deeper into the hummingbird and geranium relationship, we’ll talk about the bird’s dietary habits. As it was mentioned earlier, they need a lot of food each day to survive, and the main reason for this is that they’ll fly for up to twenty hours per day.
Besides small insects, their diet is mainly made up of nectars and sugar water, which they get from flowers and other plants. Salvia, honeysuckle, and bee balm are some of the plants that will surely attract hummingbirds. They have those vibrant colors that these birds love, as well as easy access to nectar.
When it comes to geraniums, these flowers are not hummingbirds’ favorites. Although most of us find them to be fascinating to look at because of their ballsy complexion and cute shape, hummingbirds actually see them in a different way.
Why are Geraniums Not the Best Flower for Hummingbirds?
The main reason hummingbirds dislike geraniums is because the flower doesn’t fit the form of their beaks. These flowers, unlike their tubular-shaped counterparts, have flat petals, making it hard for these birds to access the nectar from them.
Another thing that keeps geraniums from becoming hummingbirds’ favorite flower is that they don’t usually grow far from the earth. Hummingbirds rarely go that low when they’re searching for food. In fact, when hunting insects, they prefer to look for the ones living in tree holes.
Last but not least, geraniums don’t make enough nectar needed to satisfy these birds. Given how much nectar these birds require, acquiring a sufficient amount of food from these brightly colored flowers requires too much effort from them.
How Can Geraniums Be Useful in a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden?
While we’ve learned that the answer to the question, “Do hummingbirds like geraniums?” is a quick “No,” it doesn’t necessarily mean you should ditch these flowers from your backyard immediately. Instead, they can still be useful in a number of ways.
To start, geraniums can lure many insects that can become food for hummingbirds. Sawflies, whiteflies, and aphids are some insects that love chewing on these flowers. When you have them in your yard, you provide additional protein sources for the hummingbirds.
Geraniums are the perfect flower option if you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard but don’t want them to stay too long. The vivid colors of the petals of geraniums are guaranteed to attract hummingbirds and other bird species, but they’ll leave after a while.
Which Geraniums Should You Choose?
So, are you thinking that you should include geraniums in your garden? Before you drive to the nearest florist and buy the first geranium you see, you should know that not all geranium flowers are the same, and some are not as easy to maintain as others.
The Brookside geranium is a popular option for garden owners who are aiming for low maintenance and long-lasting colors. The Meadow Cranesbill is another geranium species that calls for minimal maintenance. However, it may not attract as many birds since it has a calmer color.
How to Grow Geraniums in Your Garden?
You should also learn about several important tips before you plant your first geranium. First of all, these flowers need a sizable area to grow in. So, if you want to plant it in a container, it should be at least two feet in width and one and a half feet in height.
More importantly, you should make sure this plant gets at least six hours of unobstructed sunlight each day. Another thing you should remember is not to water them too often. Usually, you should only water them once the topsoil is dry.
Do Geraniums Attract any Other Creatures?
Geraniums are actually used as a reliable insect repellant. They produce a material called ‘geraniol’ that’s been proven to keep harmful insects away from your garden. However, there are still several creatures that are attracted to them.
Butterflies are one of the creatures that’ll come to geraniums. They’re attracted by the scent and feed on the nectars found in the flowers. Pink geraniums also attract pollinators, such as bees, which can benefit your ecosystem.
What Other Flowers Hummingbirds May Like?
Since geraniums aren’t the hummingbirds’ favorite flower, you may want to add other bird-friendly species to your backyard. The Trumpet Honeysuckle is a good example of a flower species that’ll attract hummingbirds and provide them with enough of a food source.
Bee Balm can also be a good alternative in this case.
It not only adds an extra layer of elegance to your yard, but it also attracts a wide range of pollinators. Just be sure to place it in a suitable area since it can grow up to four feet tall.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are some of the smallest bird species that rarely fail to captivate us. Their behaviors are often studied by nature lovers and experts. Many interesting facts about them are still waiting to be discovered, including their diet habits.
Now, what do you think after reading this article? The explanations provided above should give you the answers you need. But if you’re still curious about similar topics, don’t hesitate to ask us any questions!
