Keep Hummingbirds Coming Back By Planting And Saving Seeds From Their Favorite Blooms

There are so many benefits to attracting hummingbirds to your yard, such as their ability to control pests by feeding on insects like mosquitoes, flies, gnats, aphids, and other unwelcome visitors. However, if you want to lure these adorable avians to your garden, you'll want to fill it with vibrant native blooms, like one of their favorite flowers, blazing stars (Liatris spp.) Although hummingbirds can spot warmer colors like red and yellow, what they're really attracted to is nectar-rich blooms. Because of their unique feeding method, these small birds prefer to drink from tubular flowers, as this shape allows them to insert their long beaks and tongues more easily. Since blazing stars have clusters of nectar-rich, tubular flowers, it's no wonder why our feathered friends love them so much.

If you want an endless supply of these hummingbird magnets, you can harvest their seeds every year. Not only will you save money by using seeds you already have, but seeds collected from plants in your garden have already adapted to the climate in your region. Because they're already used to local conditions, they're more resilient to the elements in your area than non-local seeds may be. Plus, it'll feel incredibly rewarding watching the beautiful pollinators buzz around flowers that you grew yourself. It may sound challenging, but collecting seeds and growing new blazing stars is easier than you think.

As summer fades to fall and the vibrant blooms in your garden lose their color, certain species, like blazing stars, begin releasing their seeds. Keep an eye on your plant during late summer and early fall, and harvest the seeds when the stalks turn light tan to brown and fluffy. You'll know when it's time to collect them if the seed pods split open and the seeds are visible. Use a pair of gardening shears to clip each stalk and bring them inside to avoid the wind blowing them away. Make sure they're completely dry and place them in an airtight container, like a jar or plastic bag, with the year written on the outside. Because blazing star seeds need a cold stratification period, you'll need to store them in the fridge or freezer for at least four weeks.

Once spring approaches, you can get started planting your blazing star seeds. When sewing them, make sure you avoid the biggest problem that may occur when growing blazing star plants: overwatering. They require fertile, well-draining soil blends and can rot when grown in heavier types. Remove about a quarter inch of soil, place the seed into the spot, and cover it back up. Space your plants 12 to 15 inches apart to give them room to grow and expand. Hardy in zones 3–9, they grow best in an area with full sun and require consistently moist soil during the growing season.