Late-blooming blossoms to leave untouched in September: these plants offer a crucial food source for traveling hummingbirds during their long migration southward

In the heart of autumn, as the leaves begin to change and the days grow shorter, our gardens can still serve a vital role in supporting the migrating hummingbirds on their epic journey southward. Here are some tips to help you attract these fascinating creatures to your yard.

If you're looking to add a new variety to your garden, consider the Salvia nemorosa 'May Night', available at Amazon. This recommended variety not only adds a splash of colour but also attracts hummingbirds with its numerous tiny, nectar-rich flowers.

For a climber that will attract hummingbirds, the cardinal creeper, or Ipomoea quamoclit, is a great choice. By September, it is best to leave the cardinal creeper in place, as it continues to bloom and offer nectar to the passing hummingbirds.

If you're interested in a decorative hummingbird feeder, consider a red-glass feeder with 6 feeding ports, available for purchase. This feeder will provide a reliable source of nectar for the hummingbirds, especially during times when natural food sources may be scarce.

Live cardinal flower plants, or Lobelia cardinalis, are also highly attractive to hummingbirds. In September, it is not worth deadheading cardinal flowers, as they continue to offer nectar and can still provide sustenance to migrating hummingbirds.

Penstemons are hardy perennials that keep the floral show going late into the growing season and are some of the best perennials to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbird mint (Agastache spp.) should not be deadheaded from September onwards due to the tiny trumpet-like blooms that are nectar reserves for hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Bee balm should not be deadheaded in September as it will not rebloom this late in the year, but the browning petals can still offer sustenance to migrating hummingbirds. The cigar plant (Cuphea ignea) has brilliant, tiny flowers that open in shades of orange and are unbeatable flowers to attract hummingbirds, often going on blooming through until October in sunny, sheltered yards.

In Germany in September, it is especially important not to cut back the seven listed plants (hummingbird mint, penstemon, cigar flower, bee balm, salvias, agastaches, and penstemons) because hummingbirds need their nectar-rich flowers as a vital food source during their long migration. Leaving these plants intact supports their energy needs for the journey.

To help keep native migrants happy during their journey, a hummingbird concentrated mix is available. For those who want to watch hummingbirds up close in their yard, Occer wildlife binoculars, available via Amazon, offer a great opportunity to do so.

For those who want to capture close-up photographs of migrating hummingbirds, a hummingbird feeder camera is available. Remember to keep hummingbird feeders clean in September to prevent the spread of diseases or infections.

To attract passing hummingbirds, it is important to keep hummingbird feeders topped up with nectar solution. For those looking to add a new penstemon to their garden next year, consider growing the blue-flowering Rocky Mountain Penstemon, with seeds available now via Amazon.

Salvia continues to flower for many months, attracting pollinators with its numerous tiny, nectar-rich flowers. Deadheading salvias is not advisable from September onwards, as they do not tend to send out more blooms this late in the year.

In conclusion, by following these tips and leaving certain plants intact, you can help support hummingbirds during their migration and enjoy the beauty of these fascinating creatures in your garden.

Late-blooming blossoms to leave untouched in September: these plants offer a crucial food source for traveling hummingbirds during their long migration southward