New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) are a popular choice for gardeners due to their vibrant flowers and ease of care. They are native to the tropical regions of New Guinea and come in a wide range of colors, including pink, orange, red, and white. New Guinea impatiens are known for attracting hummingbirds, which are beneficial to the ecosystem as they help pollinate plants.
Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar that is produced by the flowers of New Guinea impatiens. The nectar is rich in sugar and provides the hummingbirds with a valuable source of energy. In addition to providing food for hummingbirds, New Guinea impatiens also provide them with a place to rest and shelter from the elements.
If you are looking for a way to attract hummingbirds to your garden, planting New Guinea impatiens is a great option. These flowers are easy to grow and provide a beautiful and beneficial addition to any garden.
Do New Guinea Impatiens Attract Hummingbirds?
New Guinea impatiens are a popular choice for gardeners because they are easy to grow and produce beautiful flowers that attract hummingbirds. Here are seven key aspects to consider:
- Nectar
- Color
- Shape
- Size
- Habitat
- Climate
- Companions
Nectar: New Guinea impatiens produce nectar that is rich in sugar, which is a valuable food source for hummingbirds. Color: Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, so New Guinea impatiens with pink, orange, red, and white flowers are more likely to attract them. Shape: Hummingbirds prefer flowers with long, tubular shapes, which allow them to easily reach the nectar. Size: New Guinea impatiens are typically small to medium-sized plants, which makes them easy for hummingbirds to perch on. Habitat: New Guinea impatiens prefer to grow in moist, shady areas, which are often the same types of areas that hummingbirds prefer to nest and roost. Climate: New Guinea impatiens are native to tropical regions, so they prefer warm, humid climates. However, they can also be grown in cooler climates with proper care. Companions: New Guinea impatiens can be planted with other hummingbird-attracting plants, such as bee balm, columbine, and salvia, to create a hummingbird-friendly garden.
Nectar
Nectar is a sugary liquid produced by plants to attract pollinators, such as hummingbirds. New Guinea impatiens produce nectar that is rich in sugar, which is a valuable food source for hummingbirds. Here are four key aspects to consider:
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Sugar Content
The nectar produced by New Guinea impatiens is high in sugar content, which is essential for hummingbirds. Hummingbirds need to consume large amounts of sugar to fuel their high metabolism and rapid wing beats. -
Volume
New Guinea impatiens produce a moderate volume of nectar, which is ideal for hummingbirds. Hummingbirds prefer flowers that produce a consistent supply of nectar, so New Guinea impatiens are a good choice for attracting them. -
Accessibility
The flowers of New Guinea impatiens are shaped in a way that makes the nectar easily accessible to hummingbirds. The flowers have long, tubular corollas that allow hummingbirds to reach the nectar with their long, slender beaks. -
Color
The flowers of New Guinea impatiens are typically bright and colorful, which helps to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored flowers, so New Guinea impatiens are a good choice for attracting them to your garden.
In conclusion, the nectar produced by New Guinea impatiens is an important factor in attracting hummingbirds. The nectar is rich in sugar, produced in a moderate volume, easily accessible to hummingbirds, and the flowers are brightly colored. These factors make New Guinea impatiens a good choice for gardeners who want to attract hummingbirds to their gardens.
Color
The color of New Guinea impatiens flowers is an important factor in attracting hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, so New Guinea impatiens with pink, orange, red, and white flowers are more likely to attract them. This is because hummingbirds have a specialized type of vision that allows them to see ultraviolet light. As a result, they are able to see the bright colors of New Guinea impatiens flowers more clearly than other colors.
In addition to attracting hummingbirds, the color of New Guinea impatiens flowers can also affect the amount of nectar that the flowers produce. Studies have shown that hummingbirds prefer to visit flowers that produce a lot of nectar. As a result, New Guinea impatiens with darker colored flowers tend to produce more nectar than those with lighter colored flowers.
The color of New Guinea impatiens flowers is an important factor to consider when choosing plants for your garden. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, choose New Guinea impatiens with bright colored flowers. You can also plant a variety of different colored New Guinea impatiens to create a hummingbird-friendly garden.
Shape
The shape of New Guinea impatiens flowers is another important factor that attracts hummingbirds. Hummingbirds prefer flowers with long, tubular shapes, which allow them to easily reach the nectar inside. The flowers of New Guinea impatiens are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds, with long, narrow corollas that are flared at the end. This shape allows hummingbirds to insert their long, slender beaks into the flowers and reach the nectar without any difficulty.
In addition to being long and tubular, the flowers of New Guinea impatiens are also relatively shallow. This means that hummingbirds do not have to insert their beaks very far into the flowers to reach the nectar. This is important for hummingbirds because they have very long tongues, and inserting their beaks too far into flowers can be uncomfortable or even painful.
The shape of New Guinea impatiens flowers is an important factor that attracts hummingbirds. The flowers are long, tubular, and shallow, which makes it easy for hummingbirds to reach the nectar inside. This is one of the reasons why New Guinea impatiens are such a popular choice for gardeners who want to attract hummingbirds to their gardens.
Size
The size of New Guinea impatiens plants is another important factor to consider when attracting hummingbirds. Hummingbirds prefer to visit flowers that are small to medium in size, as these flowers are easier for them to land on and feed from. New Guinea impatiens plants typically grow to be between 6 and 12 inches tall, which makes them an ideal size for hummingbirds.
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Small Size
One of the advantages of New Guinea impatiens’ small size is that it makes them easy for hummingbirds to land on. Hummingbirds have very small feet, so they need to be able to perch on a flower in order to feed. The small size of New Guinea impatiens flowers makes it easy for hummingbirds to land and feed without having to worry about falling off.
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Medium Size
In addition to being small, New Guinea impatiens plants are also medium in size. This means that they are not too tall or too short for hummingbirds. Hummingbirds can easily reach the flowers of New Guinea impatiens plants without having to fly too high or too low.
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Compact Growth
New Guinea impatiens plants also have a compact growth habit, which means that they do not take up a lot of space. This is important for gardeners who want to attract hummingbirds to their gardens, as it allows them to plant a variety of different flowers in a small space.
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Abundant Flowers
Despite their small size, New Guinea impatiens plants produce an abundance of flowers. This means that there are always plenty of flowers for hummingbirds to feed on. The abundance of flowers also makes New Guinea impatiens plants a good choice for gardeners who want to attract a large number of hummingbirds to their gardens.
The size of New Guinea impatiens plants is an important factor to consider when attracting hummingbirds. The small to medium size of New Guinea impatiens plants makes them easy for hummingbirds to land on and feed from. The compact growth habit of New Guinea impatiens plants also makes them a good choice for gardeners who want to attract hummingbirds to small gardens.
Habitat
The habitat of New Guinea impatiens plays a crucial role in attracting hummingbirds. These plants thrive in moist, shady areas, which are often the same types of areas that hummingbirds prefer to nest and roost. Providing a suitable habitat for New Guinea impatiens can significantly increase your chances of attracting hummingbirds to your garden.
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Moisture
Hummingbirds prefer to nest and roost in areas that are moist and humid. New Guinea impatiens thrive in these types of environments, as they require consistent moisture to grow and produce flowers. Planting New Guinea impatiens in a moist area of your garden will help to attract hummingbirds.
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Shade
Hummingbirds prefer to nest and roost in areas that are shaded from the sun. New Guinea impatiens can tolerate partial shade, but they prefer to grow in areas that receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Planting New Guinea impatiens in a shady area of your garden will help to attract hummingbirds.
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Shelter
Hummingbirds prefer to nest and roost in areas that provide shelter from the wind and rain. New Guinea impatiens can provide shelter for hummingbirds by growing in dense clumps. Planting New Guinea impatiens in a sheltered area of your garden will help to attract hummingbirds.
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Food
Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar that is produced by the flowers of New Guinea impatiens. Planting New Guinea impatiens in your garden will provide a food source for hummingbirds.
By providing a suitable habitat for New Guinea impatiens, you can significantly increase your chances of attracting hummingbirds to your garden. These plants are easy to grow and care for, and they provide a beautiful and beneficial addition to any garden.
Climate
The climate of a region plays a significant role in determining whether or not New Guinea impatiens will attract hummingbirds. These plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions, so they prefer warm, humid climates. However, they can also be grown in cooler climates with proper care.
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Temperature
Hummingbirds are most active in warm weather, so New Guinea impatiens will be more likely to attract hummingbirds in warmer climates. The ideal temperature range for hummingbirds is between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. New Guinea impatiens can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will not bloom as profusely in cooler temperatures.
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Humidity
Hummingbirds also prefer humid climates. New Guinea impatiens prefer to grow in moist, humid environments, so they are well-suited to humid climates. In drier climates, New Guinea impatiens may need to be watered more frequently to keep the soil moist.
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Rainfall
New Guinea impatiens prefer to grow in areas with regular rainfall. In areas with low rainfall, New Guinea impatiens may need to be watered more frequently to keep the soil moist. However, New Guinea impatiens are drought-tolerant and can withstand periods of dry weather.
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Wind
New Guinea impatiens are relatively wind-tolerant, but they may need to be protected from strong winds. In windy areas, New Guinea impatiens can be planted in a sheltered location or they can be staked to keep them from being blown over.
By understanding the climate preferences of New Guinea impatiens and hummingbirds, you can increase your chances of attracting hummingbirds to your garden. By providing a warm, humid environment with regular rainfall, you can create a habitat that is ideal for both New Guinea impatiens and hummingbirds.
Companions
Planting New Guinea impatiens with other hummingbird-attracting plants can help to create a hummingbird-friendly garden. Some good companion plants for New Guinea impatiens include:
- Bee balm
- Columbine
- Salvia
- Lantana
- Cosmos
- Zinnia
- Marigold
- Coneflower
- Butterfly bush
- Pentas
These plants provide a variety of nectar sources for hummingbirds, and they also help to create a more diverse and interesting garden. When planting companion plants for New Guinea impatiens, choose plants that bloom at different times of the year to ensure that there is always a food source for hummingbirds.
In addition to providing nectar, companion plants can also provide shelter and nesting sites for hummingbirds. For example, bee balm and salvia are both good choices for providing shelter for hummingbirds. Hummingbirds also like to nest in trees and shrubs, so planting a variety of trees and shrubs in your garden can help to attract hummingbirds.
By planting New Guinea impatiens with other hummingbird-attracting plants, you can create a hummingbird-friendly garden that will provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for these amazing birds.
FAQs about New Guinea Impatiens and Hummingbirds
New Guinea impatiens are a popular choice for gardeners because they are easy to grow and produce beautiful flowers that attract hummingbirds. Here are some frequently asked questions about New Guinea impatiens and hummingbirds:
Question 1: Do New Guinea impatiens really attract hummingbirds?
Yes, New Guinea impatiens are a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your garden. The flowers produce nectar that is rich in sugar, which is a valuable food source for hummingbirds.
Question 2: What colors of New Guinea impatiens attract hummingbirds the most?
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, so New Guinea impatiens with pink, orange, red, and white flowers are more likely to attract them.
Question 3: How can I attract hummingbirds to my garden?
In addition to planting New Guinea impatiens, you can attract hummingbirds to your garden by providing a source of water, such as a birdbath, and planting other hummingbird-attracting plants, such as bee balm, columbine, and salvia.
Question 4: How often should I water New Guinea impatiens?
New Guinea impatiens prefer moist soil, so they should be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
Question 5: Can New Guinea impatiens be grown in containers?
Yes, New Guinea impatiens can be grown in containers. Be sure to choose a container that is large enough to accommodate the plant’s roots and provide good drainage.
Question 6: Are New Guinea impatiens deer resistant?
Yes, New Guinea impatiens are deer resistant, which makes them a good choice for gardens that are frequented by deer.
Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds with New Guinea Impatiens
New Guinea impatiens are a beautiful and easy-to-grow flower that is a favorite of hummingbirds. Here are eight tips for attracting hummingbirds to your garden with New Guinea impatiens:
Tip 1: Choose the right varieties.
Not all New Guinea impatiens are created equal when it comes to attracting hummingbirds. Look for varieties with bright, tubular flowers, such as ‘Super Elfin’ or ‘SunPatiens’.”
Tip 2: Plant in a sunny location.
Hummingbirds are attracted to sunny areas, so plant your New Guinea impatiens in a location that receives plenty of sunlight.
Tip 3: Keep the soil moist.
New Guinea impatiens prefer moist soil, so water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
Tip 4: Fertilize regularly.
Fertilizing your New Guinea impatiens will help them to produce more flowers, which will attract more hummingbirds.
Tip 5: Deadhead spent flowers.
Deadheading spent flowers will encourage your New Guinea impatiens to produce more flowers.
Tip 6: Provide a water source.
Hummingbirds need a place to drink water, so place a birdbath or other water source near your New Guinea impatiens.
Tip 7: Be patient.
It may take some time for hummingbirds to find your New Guinea impatiens. Be patient and keep providing them with a food source and a place to rest, and they will eventually come.
Tip 8: Enjoy the show!
Once you have attracted hummingbirds to your garden, sit back and enjoy the show. These amazing birds are a joy to watch.
By following these tips, you can create a hummingbird-friendly garden that will be enjoyed by you and your feathered friends for years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, New Guinea impatiens are a beautiful and easy-to-grow flower that is a favorite of hummingbirds. By planting New Guinea impatiens in your garden, you can attract these amazing birds to your yard and enjoy their beauty and grace.
Here are some key points to remember:
- New Guinea impatiens produce nectar that is rich in sugar, which is a valuable food source for hummingbirds.
- Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, so choose New Guinea impatiens with pink, orange, red, and white flowers.
- New Guinea impatiens prefer moist soil, so water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Fertilizing your New Guinea impatiens will help them to produce more flowers, which will attract more hummingbirds.
- Deadheading spent flowers will encourage your New Guinea impatiens to produce more flowers.
By following these tips, you can create a hummingbird-friendly garden that will be enjoyed by you and your feathered friends for years to come.