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Hummingbirds do like Spanish lavender, and it can be a fantastic addition to your garden if you want to attract these tiny, dazzling visitors.
When you’re thinking about whether hummingbirds like Spanish lavender, the answer is a resounding yes, but it’s not just about the flower’s color or beauty.
Spanish lavender offers a unique combination of nectar and structure that hummingbirds find irresistible, even though they typically prefer tubular flowers.
In this post, we’ll explore exactly why hummingbirds like Spanish lavender, how to plant it for maximum visits, and what other factors make this herb a hummingbird magnet.
Let’s dig into the sweet relationship between hummingbirds and Spanish lavender so you can create a haven they’ll return to all season long.
Why Hummingbirds Like Spanish Lavender So Much
Hummingbirds like Spanish lavender for several clear reasons that go beyond just a pretty face.
The main draw is the nectar, but the plant’s structure and bloom timing also play a huge role in making it a favorite stop for these feathered acrobats.
Let’s break down the specific features that make Spanish lavender so appealing to hummingbirds.
1. High-Quality Nectar Production
Hummingbirds like Spanish lavender primarily because it produces a steady supply of nectar with a decent sugar concentration.
This nectar acts as a high-energy fuel for hummingbirds, who need to consume up to half their body weight in sugar daily just to survive.
Unlike some flowers that only produce nectar in the morning, Spanish lavender tends to secrete nectar throughout the day, so hummingbirds can count on a reliable meal.
The floral spikes are packed with tiny individual blooms, each holding a small drop of nectar that hummingbirds can access with their long, specialized tongues.
2. The Bloom Shape Isn’t a Barrier
While classic hummingbird flowers are often long and trumpet-shaped, Spanish lavender has a different silhouette that still works perfectly.
The flower’s open, lipped structure allows hummingbirds to hover and feed without much effort, even if it’s not their typical tubular design.
They can easily insert their beaks into the throat of each tiny blossom, reaching the nectar even though the flowers are small.
So, while you might think hummingbirds like Spanish lavender less because of the shape, the reality is that these adaptable birds will happily sip from them all day.
3. Vibrant Color That Acts Like a Beacon
Even though Spanish lavender flowers are purple, hummingbirds like Spanish lavender because they’re drawn to the vivid contrast created by the blooms.
Hummingbirds see colors in the ultraviolet spectrum, and while red is their top choice, they are also highly attracted to bright, rich purples and blues.
The deep violet flower heads against the silvery-green foliage create a visual signal that stands out in your garden, catching a hummingbird’s eye from a distance.
So, don’t worry that a lack of red will stop them, hummingbirds like Spanish lavender’s bold purple hues just as much as their favorite feeders.
How to Encourage Hummingbirds to Visit Your Spanish Lavender
Now that you know hummingbirds like Spanish lavender, you’ll want to maximize your chances of seeing them frequently.
Simply planting one bush might not be enough, so you’ll need to think about placement, companion plants, and maintenance.
Here are the best strategies to turn your Spanish lavender into the hottest hummingbird spot in the neighborhood.
1. Plant in Clusters for a Bigger Target
Hummingbirds like Spanish lavender even more when it’s planted in large groups rather than a single lonely shrub.
Clusters of three to five plants create a larger visual target and signal to hummingbirds that there’s a bountiful food source available.
A big swath of purple also provides more landing-free feeding opportunities, as hummingbirds prefer to hover and feed from multiple flowers without moving far.
When you group them, you’re essentially creating a buffet, and hummingbirds will definitely remember that spot and return to it regularly.
2. Pair It With Tube-Shaped Flowers
To make your garden absolutely irresistible, mix Spanish lavender with traditional hummingbird favorites like salvia or penstemon.
Hummingbirds like Spanish lavender, but they also need a variety of flower shapes to keep their diet interesting and ensure they have options.
While they’re sipping from your tubular salvias, they’ll naturally also check out the nearby lavender spikes, giving you the best of both worlds.
This diversity also extends your blooming season, so you’ll have food available for early arrivals and late migrators.
3. Keep the Blooms Coming With Regular Pruning
If you want hummingbirds like Spanish lavender all summer, you’ll need to keep those flowers coming.
After the first flush of blooms fades in late spring, shear back the spent flower stalks by about a third to encourage a second bloom.
This process, called deadheading, tells the plant to produce fresh flowers, which means more nectar for hummingbirds.
A healthy, thriving lavender plant that’s actively blooming is far more attractive than one that’s gone to seed.
The Best Conditions for Growing Hummingbird-Friendly Spanish Lavender
Growing Spanish lavender that hummingbirds will love requires giving the plant what it needs to thrive and produce abundant nectar.
If your lavender is stressed or not flowering, hummingbirds will ignore it entirely, so let’s make sure your plant is performing at its peak.
1. Full Sun Is Non-Negotiable
Hummingbirds like Spanish lavender best when it’s grown in full sun, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Plenty of sunshine drives more vigorous growth and, most importantly, increases the sugar concentration in the nectar.
Sweeter nectar is like a higher-octane fuel for hummingbirds, making your lavender the preferred choice over other shaded plants.
Without enough sun, your lavender will produce fewer blooms and less nectar, so hummingbirds will fly right past it.
2. Excellent Drainage Is a Must
Spanish lavender hates wet feet, and healthy roots are essential for producing nectar-rich flowers.
If the soil stays soggy, the plant may rot or suffer from fungal diseases, which will halt nectar production entirely.
Plant your lavender in sandy or gritty soil that drains quickly, or consider raising it in a container if your ground is too heavy.
When the plant is happy, it focuses its energy on flowering, and that’s exactly when hummingbirds like Spanish lavender the most.
3. Light Fertilizing Only
You might think feeding your lavender will make it better for hummingbirds, but the opposite is often true.
Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, will cause your lavender to grow tall and floppy with lots of leaves but very few flowers.
Hummingbirds like Spanish lavender that has a balanced structure and abundant blooms, so skip heavy feeding.
If your soil is poor, add a little compost at planting time, but avoid regular feeding to keep those flower spikes coming.
So, Do Hummingbirds Like Spanish Lavender? Here’s The Final Verdict
Do hummingbirds like Spanish lavender? Yes, they absolutely do, and they’ll thank you for planting it by making your garden a regular pit stop.
While it’s true that they don’t rely on it as heavily as tubular flowers, Spanish lavender provides valuable nectar that hummingbirds will happily take advantage of.
If you plant it in full sun, with great drainage, and in clusters, you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous purple display and constant humming visitors.
Plus, you get the bonus of a delightful scent and a plant that’s drought-tolerant, making it a win-win for you and the birds.
So go ahead and add some Spanish lavender to your garden, and get ready to watch those tiny gems buzzing around your blooms.
Your hummingbirds will definitely appreciate the tasty treat you’ve provided.