The Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures, admired for their speed, agility, and vibrant plumage. These tiny birds rely on nectar from flowers to fuel their high metabolism. To attract them to your garden, it’s essential to plant flowers that provide the nectar they need. Some flowers are particularly appealing to hummingbirds due to their color, shape, and nectar-rich offerings. Below is a guide to some of the best flowers for hummingbirds, ideal for creating a colorful, bird-friendly garden.

1. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm is a standout plant in gardens, offering a burst of color in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. This perennial herb not only attracts hummingbirds but also bees and butterflies. Bee balm features tubular flowers with a tubular structure perfect for the long bills of hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Bee balm’s strong aroma also attracts pollinators, making it a garden favorite.

2. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Trumpet vine, with its striking trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange, red, and yellow, is a hummingbird magnet. The flowers provide ample nectar, and their elongated shape is well-suited for hummingbird feeding. Trumpet vine is a vigorous grower, often used for covering fences or trellises. It grows well in full sun and requires well-drained soil. However, because of its rapid growth, it may require regular pruning to prevent it from becoming invasive.

3. Fuchsia

Fuchsia flowers, with their delicate, teardrop shape and vibrant hues of pink, red, purple, and white, are a favorite among hummingbirds. These flowers are especially well-suited for hanging baskets, containers, or shaded garden spots, as fuchsias prefer cooler environments with partial sun. Their tubular shape allows hummingbirds to easily access nectar, making them a perfect addition to any hummingbird garden. Fuchsia plants are available in both annual and perennial varieties, depending on your climate.

4. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Salvia is an excellent plant for attracting hummingbirds, offering an array of varieties in red, purple, pink, and blue. These plants are known for their tubular flowers, which are a hummingbird’s favorite shape. Salvias are hardy in many climates and thrive in full sun with well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established, making them an ideal choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance, bird-friendly plants. Both annual and perennial salvia varieties are available, and many attract bees and butterflies as well.

5. Columbine (Aquilegia)

Columbine flowers are beloved for their unique, spurred shapes and wide array of colors, including red, yellow, pink, and purple. Their distinctive structure makes them perfect for hummingbirds to feed from, as the long spurs house nectar that is difficult for most other pollinators to reach. Columbines thrive in shaded to partially shaded areas and prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. This plant is also a great addition to woodland gardens or areas with lower light conditions.

6. Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)

Native to the western United States, hummingbird sage is a perennial plant that blooms with pink to purple spikes of tubular flowers that hummingbirds adore. This variety of salvia is especially attractive to hummingbirds, as the flowers contain abundant nectar and are perfectly shaped for their feeding habits. It grows well in dry, well-drained soil and thrives in full sun or partial shade, making it a versatile option for gardens across different climates.

7. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)

Penstemons, or beardtongues, feature tubular flowers that come in colors like red, pink, purple, and blue. These flowers are a hummingbird favorite due to their shape and rich nectar supply. Penstemon plants are hardy in a variety of climates and are drought-tolerant once established, making them great for xeriscaping. They do well in full sun and require well-drained soil. Penstemons also attract bees and butterflies, adding more diversity to your garden.

8. Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

Lobelia is another excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds, particularly the trailing varieties that are perfect for hanging baskets or containers. The bright blue, red, or purple flowers provide abundant nectar for hummingbirds. Lobelia thrives in well-drained, moist soil and prefers partial to full sun. Its delicate flowers and trailing habit make it a beautiful and functional addition to any garden, drawing hummingbirds with its vibrant colors and accessible nectar.

9. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)

Red hot poker plants are a dramatic choice for any garden, featuring tall spikes of tubular flowers in vibrant red, orange, and yellow shades. These flowers provide a rich source of nectar and are especially attractive to hummingbirds. Red hot poker plants grow well in full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for xeriscaping or low-maintenance gardens. They are drought-tolerant once established and can thrive in a range of soil types, provided they are not overly wet.

10. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnias are known for their bright, bold blooms that come in a range of colors, including red, orange, pink, and yellow. Though their flowers are not tubular, their wide, flat blooms attract hummingbirds by offering a large surface area for them to feed on. Zinnias are easy to grow, thrive in full sun, and are drought-tolerant once established. They’re perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden while providing a reliable food source for hummingbirds.

11. Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.)

Morning glories are climbing vines that produce funnel-shaped flowers in vibrant colors like blue, pink, purple, and red. Their tubular shape is ideal for hummingbirds, and the flowers bloom in the early morning, providing a food source at the start of the day. Morning glories grow well in full sun and well-drained soil, and they are perfect for covering fences, trellises, or other structures in the garden. These vines can spread quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on their growth to avoid overcrowding.

12. Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)

Coreopsis, often referred to as tickseed, offers a bright splash of color with its daisy-like yellow flowers. While they are not tubular, their rich nectar makes them an appealing choice for hummingbirds. Coreopsis plants are hardy and thrive in full sun with well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant and easy to grow, making them a great addition to any garden.

13. Cape Fuchsia (Phygelius spp.)

Cape fuchsia, also known as tubular fuchsia, produces clusters of tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. These flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds due to their tubular shape and abundant nectar. Cape fuchsia thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is a versatile plant, often used in hanging baskets, containers, or as a shrub in garden beds.

14. Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)

Gaura, also known as butterfly bush, features delicate white or pink flowers on long, thin stems that sway gracefully in the breeze. While the flowers are not tubular, their open shape and abundant nectar make them a favorite of hummingbirds. Gaura grows well in full sun and well-drained soil, and it is drought-tolerant once established. The plant’s airy, graceful flowers also attract butterflies and other pollinators.

15. Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis)

Scarlet pimpernel is a lesser-known but effective choice for attracting hummingbirds. The small, funnel-shaped red flowers of this plant provide a reliable nectar source. Though this plant is typically grown as a ground cover or in containers, its striking flowers make it an attractive addition to gardens seeking to attract hummingbirds. It grows well in full sun and prefers well-drained soil.

Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden

When planning your garden to attract hummingbirds, it’s important to consider not only the type of flowers you plant but also the arrangement. Hummingbirds are territorial and may prefer flowers grouped together in clusters. It’s also helpful to plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous food source. Additionally, consider adding a hummingbird feeder filled with nectar, but remember that natural flower nectar is always the preferred choice for these fascinating creatures.

By selecting the right flowers and creating an inviting environment, you can attract hummingbirds to your garden year-round. Not only will you be able to enjoy their beauty and energy, but you will also contribute to supporting local ecosystems by providing important food sources for these vital pollinators.