Finding winter flowers hummingbirds will visit depends on where you live. Most hummingbirds in North America fly south for cold months. But Anna's hummingbirds stay year-round on the Pacific Coast. These birds need winter nectar sources to survive.
I live in a zone 9 area and see Anna's hummingbirds all winter long. My manzanita bushes bloom from December through March and draw steady visits. The tiny pink flowers keep my regular visitors fed when nothing else blooms. I count at least three birds working those bushes every cold morning.
Anna's hummingbirds made the Pacific Coast their home year-round. They range from British Columbia down through California. Gulf Coast states sometimes see rare winter visitors too. These birds stay because mild winters let flowers bloom and insects stay active.
Cold weather hummingbird plants need to handle light frosts. Manzanita is a native shrub that blooms in the coldest months. California fuchsia starts in fall and often keeps going into early winter. Flowering maple works as a container plant you can bring indoors for year-round blooms.
I tested salvia greggii in my garden last winter. It bloomed during every warm spell between December and February. The red flowers drew visits on any sunny day above 50°F (10°C). A sheltered spot near a south-facing wall kept my plant warmer than the rest of my yard.
Winter blooming nectar flowers need the right climate to thrive. Zones 9 through 11 offer your best options. These areas rarely freeze hard enough to kill tropical plants. If you live in colder zones, you can grow flowering maple indoors near a sunny window.
You can help winter hummingbirds with feeders too. Keep your sugar water fresh and unfrozen. Some gardeners use heated feeders in cold snaps. The combination of flowers and feeders gives these tough little birds the fuel they need to make it through.
Plant your winter bloomers in sheltered spots to extend their bloom time. A wall that faces south reflects heat back to your plants. Overhangs protect flowers from frost damage. Your hummingbirds will find these warm spots and return to them day after day.
Start with one or two winter plants and add more each year as you learn what works. Manzanita takes a few years to establish but lasts for decades. California fuchsia spreads fast once it settles in. You will build a winter garden that feeds your hummingbirds when they need it most.
Read the full article: Hummingbird Friendly Flowers for Your Garden
