Attract Hummingbirds To Your Yard With A Heat Tolerant Shrub

As fun as it can be to attract hummingbirds to your garden with beautiful flowering shrubs and plants, keeping all your plants happy and healthy once the summer heat hits can sometimes be a challenge. Luckily there are flowering shrubs that not only attract hummingbirds, but are also unbothered by high temperatures. One of the prettiest and most interesting of these heat-tolerant shrubs is the beautiful 'El Niño' chitalpa. 

Sometimes called desert orchids because of their orchid like flowers, chitalpas species are likely hybrids of desert willows (Chilopsis linearis) and Southern Catalpas (Catalpa bignonioides). Both parent plants are native to North America. Unlike other chitalpas, which grow into trees, 'El Niño' is a shrub that often stays at a more manageable size of around 8 feet tall, although in some cases they have been known to grow up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It's no wonder hummingbirds and people are so attracted to 'El Niño' chitalpa's flowers considering they have a beautiful pinkish purple color and a smell that's often compared to vanilla and melon. Chitalpas are long-blooming too, so you and the hummingbirds will have plenty of time to enjoy the flowers.

'El Niño' chitalpas are hardy in zones 6 through 9 and thrive in part sun to sun locations. In addition to their heat tolerance, chitalpas are also quite drought-tolerant. This makes them a perfect addition for anyone who wants to join the xeriscaping trend to help their garden survive droughts. 

'El Niño' chitalpas require well-draining soil to thrive but aren't picky about their soil pH. They're great options for pollinator gardens in coastal locations thanks to their high salt tolerance. If you've been struggling to find ways to keep deer out of your yard and away from your plants, 'El Niño' chitalpas could be perfect for you, as, in addition to all their other wonderful traits, they are also deer-resistant. 

Pairing 'El Niño' chitalpa shrubs with heat tolerant flowers that attract hummingbirds, like geraniums and salvias can add color and life to your yard even during the hottest parts of summer. Consider adding in a fountain and a swing for the little birds as well. And, of course, be sure to provide them with plenty of spots to hide from predators.