The Beautiful Orange Flowering Bush That'll Attract Hummingbirds To Your Yard

Even if you have plenty of other birds flicking around your yard throughout the day, it's always nice to see more hummingbirds coming by as well. While various things can attract hummingbirds to an area, one of the things well-known for attracting them is flowering plants that they can pollinate. There are various plants that can attract hummingbirds to serve this purpose or to start a pollinator garden. Keep in mind that hummingbirds prefer flowers of specific colors, including pink, yellow, red, and orange. 

One gorgeous flowering bush that works well for attracting hummingbirds is the sticky monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus). The plant blooms in the spring and summer and has long leaves with a sticky resin and tubular, orange flowers. The entire bush grows anywhere from 2 to 4 feet tall. Although this plant can be found in many different regions, they're especially common in California and the southwest U.S. Growing this shrub isn't too tricky, so adding it to a hummingbird garden can be worthwhile. It has plenty of aesthetic appeal of its own and will add a splash of color to your yard. However, it will also do a great job of attracting more hummingbirds to the area.

Sticky monkey flower is a native perennial plant that isn't considered invasive, and the conditions needed for growing aren't too hard to meet. The flower grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10. It prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6 to 7.5. It grows well in hot areas and is very drought-tolerant — you can confidently plant it in an area with all-day sun and plenty of heat and find that it grows well. You can grow this plant in full sun or partial shade. When you're establishing this shrub, you should give it a bit extra water. After this, aim to water it about once a week. Always check how moist the soil is using your finger first, and avoid giving it too much or too little. 

As with similar plants, pay attention to signs of what it needs. If the leaves start to yellow or wilt, you're likely overwatering the plant and should pull back some. By taking care of this plant, you'll likely attract more hummingbirds to the area. However, remember that a multifaceted approach is always best. Consider installing a nectar feeder and use other genius tips and tricks to attract hummingbirds to your yard and garden, too, if you want to have the best chance of seeing more of them.