Keep Hummingbirds Coming Back To Your Yard With This Unique Red-Blooming Plant

Hummingbirds are a joy to watch, and while you can use feeders to attract them to your yard, one of the best strategies for a yard full of these little birds is to simply plant some of their favorite flowers. As you may know, hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, so it's not surprising that many of the best flowers and bulbs to plant for hummingbirds boast this bold, bright hue. One of the best and most unique-looking plants you can grow to attract hummingbirds is the stunning red bottlebrush plant (Melaleuca citrina).

Native to Australia, red bottlebrushes are perfect for adding a vivid color and texture to your yard, as their flowers really do resemble crimson brushes. While the shrubs can grow up to 15 feet, you can easily prune them so they remain at around 5 feet tall if you prefer. Though they are not native to the United States, red bottlebrushes aren't invasive, and they are a huge hit with hummingbirds as well as bees and other bird species.  

Caring for red bottlebrushes in your garden

Hardy in zones 9 through 11 and requiring full sun, red bottlebrushes are ideal for gardeners in warm and sunny climates. They thrive in moist but well-draining soil, though they are quite drought tolerant once they are established. Red bottlebrushes could be a good option for adding to xeriscape designs in warm states like Florida. Make sure to fertilize your red bottlebrush shrub well, as they benefit from rich soil.

Bottlebrush plants won't just give you a yard full of unusual, exotic-looking flowers and beautiful hummingbirds. They are also evergreen, meaning you'll have plenty of lemon-scented green foliage to enjoy all winter too. Their leaves can even be made into a tea! You can easily add your bottlebrush shrub to your landscaping by placing it behind other, shorter flowers that are also hit with hummingbirds and thrive in similar conditions. Hyssops and salvias could make ideal companions for it.

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