Hummingbirds in the garden are special and if we want them to visit we can plant some annual vines that will entice them. The nice thing about vines is that they can be grown in a rather small space near the house so we can watch the hummers come to feed. The nice thing about annual vines is that they grow quickly in one season and don’t have to wait until next year for results.
Here are some annual vines that are sure to attract some of the hummingbirds in your neighborhood.
Canary Bird Vine/Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum peregrium)
Closely related to nasturtiums, canary bird vine is a native of Ecuador and Peru where it is a perennial. In areas colder than zone 9, however, it is grown as an annual. The yellow flowers are 1” across and have fringed petals and red centers. Flowers are edible and have a peppery taste. Leaves are blue-green and lobed. Fast growing, canary bird vine will quickly cover a fence.
Size:
-
- 8-10’
Flowering Period:
-
- Summer to fall
Light:
-
- Sun to partial shade
Soil:
- Fertile, moist
Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea x multifida)
This popular vine with its bright red tubular flowers and deeply cut foliage is a relative of morning glories and sweet potato vine but with a fine texture. Like its relatives, it grows rapidly and thrives in heat and humidity. It readily reseeds. Collected or purchased seeds should be scarified and soaked in water for 12-24 hours to aid germination.
Size:
-
- 10-20’
Flowering Period:
-
- Mid summer to frost
Light:
-
- Sun to partial shade
Soil:
- Average, well-drained fertile soil produces lots of foliage and fewer flowers
Chilian Glory Flower (Eccremocarpus scaber)
A native of Chile and Peru, this tender perennial is usually grown as an annual but plants may over winter in zones 8 or warmer. The exotic flowers are borne in clusters in shades of scarlet, rose, and golden yellow. Leaves are small, oval, and light green. The vine thrives in heat and grows rapidly by twining and tendrils with small hooks. Plants do not like to be transplanted.
Size:
-
- 10-12’
Flowering Period:
-
- Mid-summer to frost
Light:
-
- Full sun
Soil:
- Fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic
Firecracker Vine/Spanish Flag (Mina lobata)
If the name Firecracker Vine and Spanish flag don’t get your attention, perhaps Exotic Love Vine will. They are all the same plant and related to morning glories so are rapid growers with twining stems and are best grown on wire or small lattice. Appearing in late summer, the flowers startout as vivid red buds and fade to orange, yellow, and white. The trident leaves are attractive all growing season. Seeds should be scarified and soaked in water for 12 to 24 hours to aid germination.
Size:
-
- 10-20’
Flowering Period:
-
- Late summer to frost
Light:
-
- Sun to partial shade
Soil:
- Rich, moist, well-drained
Snapdragon Vine (Asarina antirrhinifolia)
A tender perennial in Zones 9-10, this beauty is usually grown as an annual. Flowers may be red-purple with a white throat, pink, or white, but the blue ones are a standout. Leaves are small and ivy-like in shape. The vine climbs by twinning and leaf-wrapping. It is relatively small and so is an excellent choice for containers. Deadhead to prolong bloom.
Size:
-
- 8’
Flowering Period:
-
- Mid-summer-frost
Light:
-
- Sun to partial shade
Soil:
- Fertile, moist, well-drained
These five vines are known to attract hummingbirds and will be beautiful for most of the summer. Because they grow vertically they take up only a little room in the garden. They all need a substantial amount of light for a good bloom but vary in their soil and water requirements, and all can be started from seed.
