Although hummingbirds may enjoy sipping sugar water from feeders near our windows, nectar-rich flowers are even more beneficial for them. To entice these winged acrobats to your yard or garden, a thoughtfully chosen plant collection will encourage them to visit repeatedly. Among their favorite plants is bee balm (Monarda spp.), a group of plants in the mint family related to spearmint and basil. There are 25 species of bee balm native to North America, but not all are equally effective at attracting these small birds.
Some bee balms are pollinated by long-tongued bees rather than hummingbirds, so selecting the right type is crucial. The flowers of scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) lack a fragrant scent, yet these perennial plants are particularly appealing to hummers. Specifically, ruby-throated hummingbirds, one of the various types of hummingbirds you might encounter in your backyard or garden, adore these blooms.
Why Hummingbirds Love Bee Balm
While their edible, globe-shaped blooms and well-controlled spread make these plants valuable additions to a well-designed home landscape, hummingbirds are particularly drawn to the red hue of scarlet bee balm. Attracted to bright colors due to the anatomy of their eyes, these birds perceive the color red as a flashing “all-you-can-eat” buffet sign.
Color isn’t the only feature attracting hummingbirds to bee balm. Like many flowers that can transform your space into a hummingbird haven, bee balm flower heads consist of tubular blooms — ideal for the long beaks and tongues of these petite flyers. While scarlet bee balm is perfect for attracting these tiny birds in the northeastern US or the Appalachian mountains, for those in the arid western US, a more suitable choice is scarlet gilia, a unique flower that entices hummingbirds with its color-changing blooms.
