Does a white Campsis attract hummingbirds?

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by Margot, Apr 2, 2022.

  1. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    I am thinking of planting a Campsis vine but would prefer a white-flowered variety to a red or yellow one. Do you know if even the white flowers attract hummingbirds? How about yellow? I'd go for red if necessary but it's not my favourite choice for the arbour I have in mind.
     
  2. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Not sure about Campsis, but hummingbirds liked my cream coloured honeysuckle and they feed on blackberry flowers. They do seem very attracted to red flowers but do feed on other coloured flowers. I recently watched a show about hummers and it said that bees do not see red. Hummingbirds will not risk getting stung and will defer to bees. So if red flowers attract less bees, maybe it's easier to feed from them. I think, like all things in nature, it's a bit more complicated than that.
     
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  3. Pieter

    Pieter Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Resize of P9740473 -1-honeysuckle.jpg We have a honeysuckle growing on our arbor and it's a favourite of the Anna's Hummingbirds....I've also seen them on Hosta flowers and they're crazy about the Crocosmia 'Lucifer' we have in abundance...
     
  4. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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  5. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    Here's an article (with a commercial connection) that came to a similar conclusion based on their field-testing: Hummingbird Color Preferences.
     

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