Watch Hummingbirds Flock To Your Yard After Planting This Beautiful Tree

Having hummingbirds in your yard is an absolute joy, as you sit at the window watching them flit from flowers to feeders and then stop to spar with each other. Unfortunately for many of us hopeful hummingbird watchers, attracting some of these tiny iridescent birds is sometimes harder than it seems. You probably already know that adding more red to your yard can help attract hummers, but if that hasn't worked what should you try next? The answer is lots of pollinator-friendly plants. Unfortunately, many of the flowers that hummingbirds love – like invasive butterfly bushes and toxic Japanese honeysuckle – are actually bad for the environment and your garden.

So, what can you plant that will cause hummingbirds to flock to your yard without actively damaging the environment? The answer is the twilight crepe myrtle. The twilight crepe myrtle is a beautiful flowering shrub that is covered in large purple blooms that are irresistible to hummingbirds and other pollinators. As a plant that is not native to North America, twilight crepe myrtles can be controversial; however, they are typically considered safe to plant in most regions of the U.S. (although it's worth double-checking your local area before you get started).

If you are at all familiar with crepe myrtles, you probably already know that there are many different varieties of this ornamental shrub with flowers ranging from deep red to light pink and white. So, if hummingbirds love everything red, why should you choose a variety with purple flowers?

The answer lies in the long blooming window of the twilight variety. In fact, compared to other crepe myrtles, the twilight has a longer blooming season (from May to late September) and grows taller (up to 25 feet). This makes this deep purple crepe myrtle not only a great source of food for a longer period of time but also more visible over long distances. As a bonus, twilight crepe myrtles can also be used as privacy screens.

Plus, in the fall, the leaves of this ornamental shrub change into a hummingbird's favorite color — bright red — allowing you to attract a few more birds at the end of the season when many hummingbirds migrate south to zones where this tree grows best. In general, the twilight crepe myrtle grows in zones 7 to 10 in full sunlight and does especially well in the American Southeast.