It seems that we are not the only one’s enjoying our side garden entry arbor. This little ruby throated hummingbird seems quite fond of our nifty native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) climbing up the side of the project. Honeysuckle is one of my favorite vines to attract hummingbirds.
The arbor was part of a Better Homes & Gardens Challenge where we had to come up with a landscaping project are reach out to our readers for votes against other projects. You can see How we built the arbor here: How to Build a Garden Arbor.
Unfortunately I did not win the contest, or maybe I did, as I was able to build a beautiful arbor as an entry to our side shade garden.
The Arbor
A Blend with Nature
One of the goals for my garden is to incorporate elements that wildlife would find attractive. Though animals may be vexing at times (i.e. deer and rabbits) there is a certain awe and majesty in them that we as gardeners must appreciate. I think in many ways gardeners are charged with creating a balance between both worlds, the natural and the man-made. This arbor was built to eventually blend in with the landscape.
You can’t see the entire vision of the garden yet, not every element is growing, but the potential is starting to sprout. Just this week zinnias and cosmos began to erupt from their seeds offering the promise colors to come. Dianthus and salvia are planted now and the self seeding garden is slowly taking form next to the arbor.
Behind the arbor the shade garden is blossoming with foliage although no flowers yet. Astilbe blooms are coming soon along with the heuchera and hostas that the hummingbirds will also enjoy, but for now we have the foliage. The arbor project has really been a blessing for our garden. It dressed up the house and brought all sorts of new ideas to our garden.
5 Vines to Attract Hummingbirds to Arbors and Trellises
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata):
Crossvine flowers are large tubular flowers that are perfect for hummingbirds. I have noticed that the crossvine near us tends to be hard to remove once established so plant with caution!
- This native Tennessee vine produces clusters of bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer.
- It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, readily climbing trellises, fences, or arbors.
- Crossvine attracts not only hummingbirds but also butterflies and other pollinators.
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens):
Coral Honeysuckle is what I have on my arbor. I can’t say enough good things about this form of honeysuckle. It isn’t invasive like other honeysuckle varieties and it looks amazing. The only downside is it is not fragrant.
- This evergreen vine boasts clusters of tubular scarlet flowers from late spring to fall.
- It tolerates a range of sun exposure and soil conditions, readily clinging to arbors or trellises.
- Coral honeysuckle attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and even the occasional hummingbird moth.
Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris):
- This vigorous vine showcases large clusters of creamy white lacecap flowers in late spring.
- It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, readily climbing brick walls, trellises, or arbors.
- Climbing hydrangea provides a stunning floral display and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus):
Scarlet runner beans are the only annual I have on this list but the red flowers are great for bringing in those hummingbirds!
- Red flowers that attract hummingbirds.
- Grows well in Tennessee’s climate.
- The twining nature of the plant makes it perfect for trellises and arbors.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata):
Passionflower or passion vine grows very well here in Tennessee. It’s native and serves as a food source for the Gulf Fritillary butterfly. In addition it’s fruit is edible.
- Unique, intricate flowers that hummingbirds find attractive.
- Well-suited to Tennessee’s growing conditions.
- Climbing habit makes it ideal for trellises.
Post has been updated 1/19/2024
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I discovered your site through the BHG contest (and I did vote for you!). I love your gardens (especially the one by the sidewalk) and wish I could get mine to look that way. You don’t, by any chance, do any garden designing do you? I love to do the actual work (love getting my hands dirty), but I don’t know enough about the different plants to know what would look good where or what would grow where. I also want to do native plants as much as possible, but get very overwhelmed. Thanks for any advice!
By the way, the arbor is beautiful (love the diamonds designs that rotate)!
I totally agree with you about being in awe of animals. It’s great that you’re making an effort to attract and accomodate them 🙂
Now off to vote!
Tracy,
Thank you very much for the kind words! I’ve done a little garden designing for friends and family but I haven’t done it on a professional level. It is something that I find very interesting though. I have an idea that may help you out. Send me an email at thehomegarden@gmail.com and I may be able to help!
Ginger,
It’s a strange fascination, I love watching the deer but hate having them in the yard because they will eat everything. The challenge is living with nature and not in spite of it.
Yes vote ! Thanks Ginger!
You took some great pictures. I try to add as many hummingbird attracting plants as possible. I just love watching them.
I really like your hosta and heuchera combination.
Thanks Catherine,
Hostas and heucheras seem to be a combination that was just destined to be together. What’s cool is that there is a heuchera for every occasion. Even one for the fourth of July called ‘Fireworks’!
I think I found you when doing a search a couple of weeks ago for greenhouse plans, not sure. You were a link from a link from a link. LOL How’s that for unhelpful? 😉 I liked that you updated so often with pictures of what you were doing on your place outside.
Pretty hummingbird photos. 🙂
Hi Dave, great job with the project, it seems you have the votes of the wonderful ruby throat too! I agree that having other creatures, all of them! in the garden is both exciting and humbling. We are just another cog in a giant brilliant machine and should respect the mechanics of such a system. :=)
Frances
Dave, I’ve been faithfully voting each day! Thanks for the tab at the top. I already had an account at BHG so it makes it pretty easy for me.
I am so glad you okay after your other lawn mower incident. I am thinking it might become more safer for Jenny to cut the grass:)
You got an awesome picture of the hummingbird!
You so do not need to sell your arbor, did you see the competition? They don’t hold a candle to your arbor!!!!
We have been voting here too, Dave! I think you will win for sure!
That’s wonderful you are making an effort to keep the animals happy while keeping your garden beautiful.