If you have ever spotted a flash of iridescent colour hovering briefly around a flower, chances are you have met a sunbird. Hummingbirds are found in the Americas rather than South Africa, but our sunbirds are equally captivating nectar visitors. You can encourage them with the right flowers, a reliable water source and a garden that offers shelter.

Start with Cape honeysuckle

Cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis, also known as Tecomaria capensis) has tubular flowers loved by nectar-feeding birds. It can form a screening shrub or be trained against a support, depending on the space and maintenance available. Position it in suitable sun and prune thoughtfully to manage growth.

Add wild dagga for bold colour

Wild dagga (Leonotis leonurus) carries rings of striking orange flowers on upright stems. The blooms are a magnet for sunbirds and other pollinators. It is particularly useful in a sunny mixed border and can be cut back when flowering has finished to encourage a neat shape.

Include indigenous aloes

Aloes supply nectar during their flowering seasons and are valuable in water-wise gardens, provided the species suits the site. Their architectural leaves give the border structure even when the flowers have passed. Choose a locally appropriate indigenous variety and avoid planting it in heavy, persistently wet soil.

Offer a mix of flowering times

Tree fuchsia (Halleria lucida), sunbird bush (Metarungia longistrobus) and suitable indigenous salvias or proteas can extend the buffet across seasons. Because South Africa has diverse rainfall and soil zones, ask a local indigenous nursery which species will thrive in your garden rather than buying only for flower colour.

Make the garden safe for birds

Include shrubs for perching and nesting, keep cats from hunting areas where possible and avoid routine pesticide spraying near flowers. A shallow birdbath with clean water is useful; wash and refill it regularly, especially in summer. Nectar plants are preferable to relying on homemade sugar-water feeders, which need meticulous hygiene.

Small spaces can help too

Even a sunny courtyard or balcony with a few appropriate containers can offer a welcome stop. Place pots where you can enjoy watching the visitors without disturbing them, and allow flowering stems to remain long enough to provide an honest meal.

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