Hummingbirds are some of nature’s most delightful creatures. Watching them flit and sip nectar from blooms brings a sense of joy to gardeners and homeowners alike. But which aggressive nectar-loving birds benefit the most from your garden landscaping?
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright, colorful flowers with a high sugar concentration in their nectar. They also like flowers with long, curved spurs where they can easily perch while they fill up on magical little droplets of sweet ambrosia such as bee balm, penstemon, hosta, catmint, and so on.
While many hummingbird-friendly plants are native to North America, others may need to be adapted by planting in a warmer climate or bringing particular varieties indoors when it gets cold outside. Read on to learn the best plants for hummingbirds and plant them in your garden to attract hummingbirds.
Table of Contents
Top 20 Best Attractive Plants for Hummingbirds
1. Bee Balm
Bee balm is a beautiful and easy-to-grow perennial that will bring hummingbirds to your garden. It belongs to the Monarda species and can be grown in zones 4 to 9. This plant typically grows 1-4 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for smaller gardens or as a border plant. Bee balm is an excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds with its nectar-rich blooms that start flowering in midsummer.
2. Penstemon
Penstemon species are a great addition to any garden. These North American natives come in many forms, ranging from 1 to 4 feet tall. Low-maintenance plants thrive in full sun and soil with excellent drainage; they hate wet feet, especially in the winter. Penstemons make a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that will attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
3. Hosta
These shade-loving perennials come in wide varieties and sizes, ranging from small plants that reach only 6 inches tall to larger varieties that can reach up to 3 feet tall. Hostas are easy to care for and will provide beautiful foliage and blooms throughout the summer months.
4 . Catmint
This low-maintenance perennial is easy to care for and provides beautiful foliage and blooms throughout summer. Catmint grows best in full sun and well-drained soil and can reach up to 2 feet tall. The nectar-rich blooms of catmint are sure to attract hummingbirds to your garden.
5. Trumpet Vine
This fast-growing, deciduous vine can reach up to 30 feet long and produces beautiful trumpet-shaped blooms that attract hummingbirds. Trumpet vine prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is easy to care for.
6. Salvia
This low-maintenance perennial is easy to care for and provides beautiful foliage and blooms throughout summer. Salvia grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, reaching 3 feet tall. The nectar is perfect for hummingbirds.
7. Columbine
Columbine is a beautiful and easy-to-grow perennial that will bring hummingbirds to your garden. It belongs to the Aquilegia species and can be grown in zones 3 to 9. This plant typically grows 1-3 feet tall and wide, perfect for smaller gardens or as a border plant. Columbine is an excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds with its nectar-rich blooms that bloom in early spring.
8. Honeysuckle
This fast-growing, deciduous vine can reach up to 30 feet in length and produces beautiful trumpet-shaped blooms that will attract hummingbirds. Honeysuckle prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is easy to care for.
9. Lantana
Lantana is a beautiful and versatile shrub found in many gardens. It is an evergreen shrub that grows in zones 8 to 10 but can also be grown annually in cooler climates. Lantana produces bright and colorful flowers throughout the summer months, with colors ranging from yellow, orange, pink, and purple.
The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds due to their high nectar content, making them a great addition to any garden.
10. Zinnia
Zinnias are a vibrant and colorful addition to any garden. These annuals grow from half a foot to four feet tall and bloom in various colors such as pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, white and green. They thrive in moist, well-drained soils in full sun and make perfect perches for hummingbirds looking for a snack.
Zinnias bloom from early summer until the first frost, making them an excellent choice for those who want to keep their gardens beautiful throughout the growing season.
11. Red Hot Poker
The Red Hot Poker, or torch lily, is a stunning perennial that blooms in summer. It can grow up to two to four feet tall and produces vibrant red, orange, and yellow bottle-brush-shaped blooms. These nectar-rich flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and other pollinators.
The Red Hot Poker is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and prefers full sun exposure. It is also quite drought-tolerant and can thrive in dry conditions with minimal water requirements.
12. Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as coneflowers, is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family. These hardy perennials are native to North America and growing wild in many parts of the United States and Canada. Echinacea varieties range from 3 to 9 feet in height and come in various colors and flower forms. They prefer full sun to part shade and can tolerate drought and moist conditions.
13. Trumpet Vine
The Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) is a fast-growing, hardy vine native to eastern North America. Hummingbirds can’t resist its bright orange flowers, which bloom from summer through fall. This vine needs a strong arbor, trellis or fence for support and should be cut back to keep it under control.
It prefers slightly poor, dry soil, so it doesn’t need water or fertilization too frequently. The Trumpet Vine blooms throughout the summer and fall in colors of yellow, orange and red. It can be grown in USDA Growing Zones 4 to 9.
14. Petunia
Petunias are a popular and vibrant annual flower in almost any color imaginable. These flowers can add color to any garden or landscape, from bright reds to deep purples. Petunias are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance.
They prefer full sun and moist soil but should not be overwatered. Feeding once or twice during their growing season is recommended for optimal growth. Hummingbirds are especially attracted to petunias’ red, purple, and pink varieties.
15. Cardinal Flower
The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a beautiful North American native that will make a statement in any garden. This perennial flower has bright red tubular blooms that are irresistible to hummingbirds, who act as the primary pollinators of this plant.
It prefers shade and moist soil, and covering it with mulch helps it thrive. Deer rarely bother this showstopper, making it an ideal choice for gardens where deer are a problem. The blooms appear in red, pink, white, blue, and purple from summer to early fall.
16. Flowering Tobacco
Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) is a beautiful addition to any garden. Some varieties of flowering tobacco can be grown year-round in mild climates, though most are annuals. These delicate beauties bloom from summer through fall, with the flowers opening during the evening to release a wonderful fragrance that attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. The blooms come in white, red, pink, or green colors.
17. Bleeding Heart
The Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a beautiful and delicate spring bloomer that can add color to any shady or semi-shady spot in the garden. This herbaceous perennial has arching branches of heart-shaped flowers that seem to drip out their insides in sorrow, giving it its name. The blooms come in shades of pink, white, and red, adding extra beauty to the garden.
The Bleeding Heart requires little care and dies back to the ground in late fall before returning in the spring. It prefers moist and nutrient-rich soil and can spread into a 2-foot-wide by 2-foot-tall shrub with attractive serrated leaves.
It is hardy in USDA Growing Zones 2 to 9, making it an ideal choice for many gardens nationwide. With its unique shape and vibrant colors, this plant will surely be a showstopper in any garden.
18. Coral Honeysuckle
Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a beautiful and hardy native vine that blooms in late spring and summer, producing trumpet-like red flowers that hummingbirds love. A USDA zone 4 to 11 variety of honeysuckle can be grown as an alternative to invasive varieties.
Growing coral honeysuckle is easy; plant the vine near a structure such as a fence or a trellis for it to cling and twine around. Typically, the vines grow 25 feet tall, with a cluster of red, pink, and even yellow tube-shaped flowers. After bloom, the berries will attract songbirds to your garden.
19. Daylilies
Daylilies (Hemerocallis species) are among the most popular and easy-to-care-for perennials. They are low maintenance and thrive in various soils and light conditions, making them an ideal choice for gardeners of all levels.
There are usually one or two days of blooming on a daylily’s leafless stems (scapes) that burst with several colorful and large trumpet-shaped flowers. There are many varieties to choose from, including spider, ruffled, doubles, and repeat bloomers. Colors range from red, orange, yellow, purple, and pink.
20. Rose of Sharon
The Rose of Sharon, also known as Hibiscus, is a beautiful, hardy shrub that produces large, showy flowers in the late summer months. This deciduous shrub can reach heights of 8 to 10 feet and is suitable for growing in zones 5 to 9. The flowers come in various colors, including red, blue, pink and white. They are flat with nectar-filled centers that attract small insects and hummingbirds alike.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What Herb attracts hummingbirds?
In addition to fruity basil (Salvia elegans), you should plant red bee balm, anise hyssop, and hummingbird sage (Salvia guaranitica), all of which can attract hummingbirds to your garden. In addition to producing nectar-rich blooms, each of these herbs is relatively easy to grow.
2. What are the best plants for hummingbirds?
The best plants for attracting hummingbirds include Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Daylilies (Hemerocallis species), and Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus). These plants produce nectar-rich blooms that hummingbirds love and are relatively easy to care for.
3. What type of flowers do hummingbirds like?
Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored, nectar-rich flowers. Some of the best flowers for attracting hummingbirds include trumpet-shaped blooms such as coral honeysuckle, daylilies, and rose of Sharon. Other popular choices include columbine, petunias, fuchsia, and bee balm.
4. What colors do hummingbirds like?
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright, vibrant colors such as red, orange, yellow, and pink. They also have excellent vision and can see ultraviolet light, so they may be drawn to flowers with UV patterns or markings.
5. What trees attract hummingbirds?
Trees that attract hummingbirds include flowering trees such as red buckeye, trumpet creeper, and coralberry. These trees produce nectar-rich blooms that hummingbirds love. In addition to these flowering trees, you can plant fruit-bearing trees such as apples, cherries, and pears to attract hummingbirds to your garden.
Conclusion
Your garden can attract hummingbirds with a variety of plants. Daylilies, Rose of Sharon, Bleeding Heart, Coral Honeysuckle, and various herbs are all excellent choices for attracting these beautiful birds. Trees such as red buckeye and trumpet creeper can also provide a great nectar source for hummingbirds. So, what are you waiting for? Plant those in your garden and enjoy seeing hummingbirds in your garden.
