Hummingbirds are beautiful birds with magnificent plumage, and if I lived in the U.S., I’d be doing whatever I could to attract them to my backyard. Apart from having a hummingbird feeder and drawing them in with a simple nectar recipe, I’d follow lots of other top tips to attract hummingbirds into my yard.
One of the best ways to encourage these super pollinators into your garden is by planting. And they will flock wherever there is a source of nectar. So, apart from using a hummingbird feeder with delicious nectar to entice them, a curated collection of plants will invite these gorgeous birds into your outside space.
While summer-flowering plants have finished, you may be wondering what plants will attract hummingbirds into your yard in September. And, luckily, there’s one red beauty that hummingbirds admire, and it will keep them flocking in from fall through to winter.
Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus ruber), more commonly known as red valerian, will attract hummingbirds to your yard in the cooler season. It's a perennial plant, hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, which features clusters of red flowers that will also attract other pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
And just like the cup and saucer vine (Cobraea scandens), its tubular nature makes it a hit with hummingbirds. Plants with long tubular blooms will provide hummingbirds with the optimum feeding conditions and rich nectar.
What’s more, red valerian is a tough, durable plant, and it will thrive with minimal care once established, making it perfect if you prefer low-maintenance yard plants.
How to care for red valerian
Red valerian isn’t fussy about its growing conditions, although it prefers well-drained soil and to be positioned in full sun. And it’s best planted in the fall, spring, or winter, if it’s not too cold.
When planting, space the plants about 12 to 18 inches apart and ensure the roots are well watered until the plants become established. Once this happens, it won’t need any extra moisture unless there is a sustained dry period.
Deadheading the spent flowers will encourage the plant to produce new buds, extending the flowering period, while also preventing seeds from dispersing in the wind.
Once matured, red valerian can grow to three feet in height with a spread of 30 inches. Its bushy nature makes it a good background plant for your borders, as well as being a prime specimen to encourage hummingbirds.
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