Hummingbirds are highly prized visitors in the garden. These inquisitive little birds zip around from flower to flower in search of nectar. This local list of trees is guaranteed to attract more hummingbirds. Provide a source of water for your hummingbirds, and use nothing but organic products in, on and around these fiery little creatures to keep them healthy.
- Crabapples – Each spring, crabapple trees burst into bloom in shades of white, red, pink and purple. As a bonus, crabapples can pollinate most kinds of apple trees within a certain radius, which is potentially beneficial for both you, your birds and your neighbors.
Size: 10-25 feet depending on the variety
Exposure: Full sun lovers
$25 off these mentioned trees, all sizes, including the really big specimen size (while supplies last, through July 2017)
- Eastern Redbud – This is one of the earliest plants to bloom each year, illuminating branches with pristine pink flowers just before heart-shaped leaves emerge in April. One distinctive cultivar is called ‘Forest Pansy’ and produces purple foliage.
Other Name(s): Judas-tree
Size: 15-25′ tall and 10-20′ wide
Exposure: Blistering Full sun to part shade
- Chitalpa is crossed with our native Desert Willow, only with much larger flower clusters without the formation of beans. Shows off large clusters of blossoms that resemble orchids. The tubular shaped flowers are utterly irresistible to hummingbirds.
Other Name(s): Orchid Tree
Size: 15-30′ tall and 10-18′ wide
Exposure: Full sun
- European Mountain Ash is known for its showy white flowers that form clusters of bright red berries. Its alternate name “Rowan” comes from an old Scandinavian word meaning red. Mountain Ash has smooth dark gray bark that is mottled by prominent horizontal lines. The fruits mature in late spring but often remain on a tree through fall and early winter.
Other Name(s): Orchid Tree
Size: 25-35′ tall and 15-20′ wide
Exposure: Full sun
5. Silk Tassel Tree has an abundance of pink blossoms that look like powder puffs. This amazingly tough survivor thrives in inhospitable conditions.
Other Name(s): Mimosa, Powderpuff tree
Size: 15-30′ tall and wide, sometimes growing larger
Exposure: Full sun
- Timeless Beauty Desert Willow is a local native that grows wild from the 3,400 to 6,000 foot elevations of Arizona. It’s no wonder this drought-hardy tree is a hummingbird’s delight. Vibrant purple flowers fade to pale pink all showing on the same tree. We have these trees at the garden center now, or you can buy them online at Monrovia.com.
Other Name(s): Orchid Tree
Size: 15-20′ tall and 10-15′ wide
Exposure: Full sun
- Tulip Tree has irresistible yellow and orange flowers that resemble tulips. The leaves are also shaped somewhat like tulips, thus the name. With leaves the size of your hand, this is an excellent choice as a dark shade tree to sit under through hot summer days. A stronger tree than willow and cottonwoods combined, with the bonus of tulips shaped flowers and more hummingbirds to entertain us in the yard.
Other Name(s): Tulip poplar, yellow poplar, canoe wood, saddle leaf tree, white wood, white poplar
Size: 50-70 tall and 40′ wide, a real shade tree
Exposure: Full – part sun
- Flowering Pear has a spectacular spring show. Without forming messy fruit, this local favorite erupts with white bridal blossoms that show just as hummingbirds are migrating north into the mountains of Arizona. This tree is preferred by local hummingbirds to eat from, but it’s the perfect height for nesting sites. You will see more hummingbirds in the landscape by planting this ornamental flowering pear.
Factoid – this is the last tree to turn fire-engine red in the fall of the year, gorgeous.
Size: 30-40′ tall and 18-25′ wide, sometimes growing larger
Exposure: Full sun
Until next issue, I’ll be helping local gardeners with trees here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN
By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his web site at WattersGardenCenter.com or FB.com/WattersGardenCenter .
Leave a Reply