7 Best Ground Covers To Attract Hummingbirds To Your Garden

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7 Best Ground Covers To Attract Hummingbirds To Your Garden

Creating a habitat for hummingbirds can be a truly rewarding experience. These tiny birds are known for their iridescent feathers and their amazing acrobatic flying skills. The best way to attract them to your garden is by planting the right types of flowers and plants. In this article, we'll go over 7 of the best ground covers for attracting hummingbirds to your garden.

Why choose ground covers instead of traditional plants?

There are a number of advantages to using ground covers as opposed to traditional plants in your garden. First and foremost, they tend to be low maintenance, requiring less water and fertilizer than traditional plants. Additionally, they are great at suppressing weeds, helping you to maintain a neat and tidy garden space. Finally, they add a unique texture and visual interest to your garden that can't be achieved with traditional plants.

1. Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme is an excellent choice for anyone looking to attract hummingbirds to their yard. This low-growing plant is easy to grow and requires very little maintenance. It produces small pink or purple flowers that hummingbirds love, and it's also drought-tolerant, making it a great option for those who live in dry climates.

Easy to Grow

Creeping thyme is incredibly easy to grow. Simply plant it in well-drained soil in a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Water regularly until the plant is established, then cut back on water once it has taken root. Once established, creeping thyme requires very little maintenance.

Drought Tolerant

One of the great things about creeping thyme is that it's drought-tolerant. This means that it can withstand long periods of dry weather without suffering any ill effects. If you live in an area that receives limited rainfall, creeping thyme is a great choice for attracting hummingbirds to your garden.

2. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

Snow-in-summer is an excellent choice for rock gardens or areas with poor soil. This low-maintenance plant produces bright white flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible. It's also great at suppressing weeds, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to maintain a neat and tidy yard.

Bright White Flowers

The bright white flowers produced by snow-in-summer are sure to catch the eye of any hummingbirds in the area. Plus, they'll add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your garden space.

Great for Rock Gardens

Snow-in-summer is ideal for rock gardens or areas with poor soil. It can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to add some variety to their landscaping.

3. Wild Ginger

Wild ginger is an excellent ground cover for shady areas of your garden. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers that hummingbirds love, and it's also great at suppressing weeds. If you're looking to create a lush, green garden space, wild ginger is the perfect choice.

Excellent Ground Cover

Wild ginger grows quickly and is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to establish a ground cover in a shady area of their yard. Its vibrant, green foliage will add color and texture to your garden, and it's also great at suppressing weeds.

Shade Loving Plant

If you have an area of your garden that doesn't receive much sunlight, wild ginger is the perfect choice. It thrives in shady conditions and requires very little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for busy homeowners.

4. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed is a beautiful ground cover that produces vibrant blue flowers that hummingbirds love. It's also tolerant of partial sun, making it a great choice for areas of your garden that receive both sun and shade throughout the day.

Vibrant Blue Flowers

The vibrant blue flowers produced by bugleweed are sure to catch the eye of any hummingbirds in the area. They'll add a pop of color and beauty to your garden space.

Tolerates Partial Sun

One of the great things about bugleweed is that it's tolerant of partial sun. This makes it an excellent choice for areas of your garden that receive sunlight at certain times of day but are shaded at other times.

5. Canadian Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Canadian columbine is a stunning ground cover that produces red and yellow flowers that hummingbirds love. It's also great at attracting bees to your garden, which can help with pollination.

Red and Yellow Flowers

The red and yellow flowers produced by Canadian columbine are visually stunning and sure to catch the eye of any hummingbirds in the area. They'll add an element of natural beauty to your garden space.

Attracts Hummingbirds and Bees

Not only does Canadian columbine attract hummingbirds, but it's also great at attracting bees to your garden. This can help with pollination and contribute to the health of your garden overall.

6. Sedum Dragons Blood

Sedum dragons blood is an excellent ground cover for hot, sunny areas of your garden. It produces deep red foliage that hummingbirds love, and it's also incredibly low-maintenance.

Low Maintenance

Sedum dragons blood is one of the most low-maintenance ground covers out there. It requires very little water or fertilizer and can thrive in even the toughest growing conditions.

Deep Red Foliage

The deep red foliage produced by sedum dragons blood is visually striking and sure to catch the eye of any hummingbirds in the area. It's a great way to add a pop of color to your garden space.

7. Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica)

Indian pink is an excellent choice for shady areas of your garden. It produces bright red flowers that hummingbirds love, and it's also incredibly low-maintenance.

Bright Red Flowers

The bright red flowers produced by Indian pink are sure to catch the eye of any hummingbirds in the area. They're visually striking and add a pop of color to your garden space.

Prefers Shade

If you have an area of your garden that doesn't receive much sunlight, Indian pink is the perfect choice. It prefers shady conditions and requires very little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for busy homeowners.

Adding ground covers to your garden is an easy way to attract hummingbirds and add beauty and variety to your yard. These 7 options not only attract hummingbirds but require very little maintenance, making them an excellent choice for busy homeowners. Experiment with different types of ground covers to find the ones that work best for your climate and soil conditions.

FAQ

Here are some common questions gardeners often ask when considering using ground cover for hummingbirds:

What other ways can I attract hummingbirds to my garden?

In addition to planting ground covers, you can also attract hummingbirds by setting up a hummingbird feeder or planting nectar-rich flowers like bee balm, salvia, and fuchsia.

Do I need to water my ground cover plants more frequently than traditional plants?

Ground covers typically require less water than traditional plants, making them an excellent choice for water conservation. However, make sure to water them regularly until they become established.

How do I know which ground covers are appropriate for my specific garden zone?

Consult a local gardening expert or check with your local nursery to find out which ground covers are best suited for your climate and soil conditions.

Can I use mulch on top of my ground cover plants?

Yes, you can use mulch on top of your ground cover plants to help maintain a neat and tidy appearance.

Are these plants safe to use around pets and young children?

While all of these ground covers are generally considered safe, it's always a good idea to double-check with your veterinarian or pediatrician before planting anything new in your yard.

What causes leaves to turn yellow and die on my ground cover?

Yellowing and dying leaves can be caused by a number of factors, including overwatering, underwatering, and pest infestations. Make sure to monitor your plants closely and address any issues as soon as they arise.

Can I plant multiple varieties of ground cover in the same area?

Yes, you can plant multiple varieties of ground cover in the same area to create a layered effect and add visual interest to your garden space.

When is the best time of year to plant these types of ground cover?

The best time of year to plant ground covers varies depending on the specific type of plant and your climate. Consult a local gardening expert or check with your local nursery to find out when the best planting times are for your area.

Do I need to fertilize my ground cover plants?

Ground covers typically require very little fertilizer. However, if you notice that your plants seem to be struggling or aren't producing as many flowers as you'd like, you may want to consider adding a slow-release fertilizer to the soil.

What types of soil work best for these types of ground covers?

Most ground covers prefer well-draining soil. However, consult a local gardening expert or check with your local nursery to find out which types of soil work best for the specific type of ground cover you're looking to plant.