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Crepe myrtle does attract hummingbirds, and it’s one of the best-kept secrets for bringing these tiny visitors to your garden.
If you’ve been wondering whether crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds, the answer is a resounding yes, though not for the reason you might think.
These lovely trees and shrubs are famous for their long-lasting summer blooms, but the real magic for hummingbirds lies in the structure and the ecosystem the crepe myrtle supports.
While crepe myrtle flowers themselves aren’t the richest nectar source, they still play a vital role in making your yard a hummingbird hotspot.
In this post, we’ll dive into exactly why crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds, how to maximize its appeal, and what you can plant alongside it to keep those buzzing beauties coming back all season.
Let’s explore what makes crepe myrtle and hummingbirds such a great match.
Why Crepe Myrtle Attracts Hummingbirds
The main reason crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds is the sheer abundance of flowers it produces over a long blooming period.
Hummingbirds are always on the lookout for reliable food sources, and a crepe myrtle loaded with blossoms is like a flashing neon sign that says “dinner is served.”
Here’s a closer look at the specific ways crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds and how you can make the most of it.
1. The Blooming Season Lines Up Perfectly
Crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds because its bloom time matches the birds’ highest energy needs.
Most crepe myrtle varieties start flowering in early summer and keep going right into fall, sometimes for up to 100 days.
This is exactly when hummingbirds are nesting, feeding their young, and preparing for migration.
Having a steady supply of flowers during these months means hummingbirds will visit your crepe myrtle repeatedly and even establish a feeding territory around it.
That long season of color is a major reason why crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds so reliably year after year.
2. The Flower Shape Is Hummingbird-Friendly
While crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds with its clusters, the individual flowers are small but perfectly shaped for a hummingbird’s long beak.
The crinkled petals create a shallow cup that holds nectar near the surface, making it easy for hummingbirds to access.
Unlike tubular flowers that force the bird to hover in one spot, crepe myrtle’s open blooms allow hummingbirds to feed quickly and move on to the next blossom.
This efficiency is key because hummingbirds need to eat every 10 to 15 minutes, so they prefer plants that give them fast, easy meals.
That’s why crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds so effectively during the heat of summer.
3. It Provides Essential Perching Spots
One of the most overlooked reasons crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds is its branch structure.
Hummingbirds are fiercely territorial and love to perch high up to survey their feeding grounds.
Crepe myrtle’s sturdy, often multi-trunked form offers perfect lookout points where hummingbirds can rest and guard their food supply.
You’ll often see a hummingbird sitting on a bare crepe myrtle branch between feedings, watching for competitors.
So even though crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds for nectar, it’s the perching structure that keeps them hanging around longer.
How to Maximize Crepe Myrtle’s Appeal to Hummingbirds
Now that you know crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds, you probably want to know how to turn that natural appeal into a hummingbird magnet.
There are a few simple tricks to make your crepe myrtle even more irresistible.
1. Choose the Right Variety
Not all crepe myrtles are created equal when it comes to attracting hummingbirds.
You can encourage hummingbirds by picking varieties with lighter colors like pink, lavender, or white.
Hummingbirds see color very well and are especially drawn to reds, pinks, and purples that stand out against green foliage.
Some excellent choices include the Dynamite, Natchez, or Muskogee crepe myrtles.
These produce prolific blooms that make your crepe myrtle attract hummingbirds from a good distance away.
2. Plant in Full Sun
Crepe myrtle produces the most flowers when it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight every day.
More sun means more blooms, and more blooms mean more nectar for hummingbirds.
If your crepe myrtle is in too much shade, it will bloom sparsely, which weakens its ability to attract hummingbirds.
So make sure you plant your crepe myrtle in the sunniest spot you have to maximize its flower production.
3. Don’t Over-Prune
A common mistake is pruning crepe myrtle too aggressively, which can actually reduce flowering.
To help your crepe myrtle attract hummingbirds, limit pruning to removing dead branches or shaping lightly in late winter.
Avoid cutting off the tops of the branches, sometimes called “crepe murder,” because that encourages lots of leaves but fewer flowers.
The more natural growth you allow, the more blooms you’ll get, and the more hummingbirds you’ll see.
4. Keep the Nectar Flowing
Even though crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds on its own, you can boost the effect by adding a nearby hummingbird feeder.
Place a feeder with fresh sugar water near your crepe myrtle, and the birds will quickly associate the area with a reliable food source.
Change the feeder solution every few days to keep it clean and appealing.
This combination of natural blooms and a supplemental feeder will turn your crepe myrtle into a hummingbird highway.
What to Plant With Crepe Myrtle for Hummingbirds
While crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds, it’s not the most nectar-rich plant in the garden.
To create a truly irresistible hummingbird habitat, pair your crepe myrtle with companion plants that offer higher nectar yields.
1. Trumpet Vine or Bee Balm
These are classic hummingbird favorites with deep tubular flowers packed with nectar.
Planting them near your crepe myrtle gives hummingbirds a reason to stay in your yard longer.
2. Salvia and Sage
Salvia comes in many colors, especially red and purple, and it’s a magnet for hummingbirds.
Because crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds with its mass of small blooms, adding salvia provides the high-energy nectar hit that keeps them coming back.
3. Native Wildflowers
Native plants like columbine or cardinal flower flourish in the same growing conditions as crepe myrtle.
They also attract hummingbirds by appealing to their natural foraging instincts.
When you combine these with crepe myrtle, you create a layered feeding station that hummingbirds will visit all day long.
So, Does Crepe Myrtle Attract Hummingbirds?
Yes, crepe myrtle does attract hummingbirds, especially when planted in full sun with plenty of blooms.
While it may not offer the richest nectar, its sheer flower volume, long blooming season, and ideal perching branches make it a valuable part of any hummingbird garden.
If you’ve been asking yourself if crepe myrtle attracts hummingbirds enough to be worth planting, the evidence is clear that it absolutely is.
By choosing the right variety, avoiding heavy pruning, and pairing it with nectar-rich companions, you’ll create a yard that hummingbirds simply cannot ignore.
So go ahead and add a crepe myrtle to your landscape, and get ready to enjoy the delightful sight of hummingbirds flitting through those beautiful summer blooms.
Your garden will be buzzing with life, and you’ll have the best seat in the house to watch these incredible little birds.