Bring on the hummingbirds with penstemons!

Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha maderensis ‘Lavender Spice’) is another great hummingbird perennial for desert landscaping, doubling as a garden herb. The bright green shiny foliage is evergreen, and the pink to lavender flowers cover the small shrub with flowers 9 months out of the year. The stems are very brittle, but this makes maintenance easy. No pruning shears required to reduce the size or remove spent flowers.While attracting hummers is fun, do not forget the butterflies! There are many beautiful species around southern Arizona. Lantana is one plant they just love, as the flowers make perfect landing pads. A flat topped flower is exactly what butterflies need, along with one with sweet nectar. Lantana’s come in various colors, the trailing is purple, while bush forms are yellow, orange or red.View the list »
While penstemons are great for attracting hummingbirds, do not forget to add some Red Salvia (or pink, white or salmon pink) too. Salvia greggii is also a hummingbird magnet, and thrives in the same filtered sun conditions as penstemon. Salvia greggii is evergreen, and blooms throughout the warm season, well into November if temperatures stay mild. 

Gardening newsletter

Attracting hummingbirds is a top priority for many Tucson and Green Valley area residents, and nothing brings those tiny birds to your desert landscaping like the penstemon.

Related topics

Advertisement

There are so many penstemons to choose from, with flowers colors ranging from red and orange to delicate pink. Many of the penstemon species are native to Arizona, but only a few to the lower elevations. But that is not a problem as long as you plant the species particular to higher elevations in either filtered shade, such as under a mesquite tree, or at minimum with afternoon shade. Only the natives to lower elevations can take all day sun.

All penstemons need good drainage or they will rot out. They also do not care about soil amendments, so stick with native soil.

These are low maintenance perennials, requiring only the removal of spent flowers. Sprinkling the seeds around your yard before the birds get them all is a great way to bring in more plants and more hummingbirds. Try the Pineleaf Penstemon, with its bright orangey-red flowers.

View the list
  • While penstemons are great for attracting hummingbirds, do not forget to add some Red Salvia (or pink, white or salmon pink) too. Salvia greggii is also a hummingbird magnet, and thrives in the same filtered sun conditions as penstemon. Salvia greggii is evergreen, and blooms throughout the warm season, well into November if temperatures stay mild. 
  • While attracting hummers is fun, do not forget the butterflies! There are many beautiful species around southern Arizona. Lantana is one plant they just love, as the flowers make perfect landing pads. A flat topped flower is exactly what butterflies need, along with one with sweet nectar. Lantana’s come in various colors, the trailing is purple, while bush forms are yellow, orange or red.
  • Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha maderensis ‘Lavender Spice’) is another great hummingbird perennial for desert landscaping, doubling as a garden herb. The bright green shiny foliage is evergreen, and the pink to lavender flowers cover the small shrub with flowers 9 months out of the year. The stems are very brittle, but this makes maintenance easy. No pruning shears required to reduce the size or remove spent flowers.
View the list

, Tucson Gardening Examiner

This author has lived in Arizona since 1972 and has been gardening for more than 28 years. A landscape architect and certified arborist, Linda teaches classes for everyone in desert plant care for Green Valley Recreation, and provides services in landscape design. Contact her at Linda...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...