Keep Winter Hummingbirds Happy By Planting A Beautiful Flower They'll Love

For those in areas of the United States where hummingbirds stay for the winter or pass through on their way south, planting camellia flowers can help to feed your feathered friends during the colder months. These beautiful, winter-blooming flowers are mostly native to parts of Asia, though certain varieties can thrive in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9. By growing and caring for camellia plants, you can ensure that your local hummingbirds will have fresh, natural nectar at a time when they're expending lots of calories.

While hummingbirds will not remain everywhere during the winter, you can expect to see some throughout the southern United States, including in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana. The Pacific coast also remains a hot spot for hummers during winter. If you live in an area that sees these birds in winter and you plant some mature camellia bushes, you can support hummingbirds in your garden throughout the migration season. Depending on the variety of camellia you grow, the blooms could appear from September to April.

When planting camellias to attract hummingbirds to your garden and keep them fed in winter, it may be best to buy plants from nurseries that have already begun growing them rather than starting them from seeds. This will ensure the flowers are available as soon as possible for your feathered friends, and you'll be able to select the prettiest blooms. Unfortunately, some camellias' buds might not blossom into gorgeous flowers until the plant is established, which can take a couple of years. Alternatively, you might buy potted camellias and set those in your outdoor space. When choosing a variety, make sure the camellias can withstand your local winter temperatures.

Camellias planted in the garden should be grown in a well-draining spot with direct light in the morning and bright shade in the afternoon. You'll also want to choose a location with acidic soil. When first planting your camellias, leave the top of the root ball about even with the soil rather than completely buried, and mulch should be added around the plant. Make sure to water your flowers whenever the soil begins to dry out. With these flowers growing, you can enjoy watching the hummers flock to your garden and help them get enough food until spring.