Although there are more than 300 known species of hummingbird, only a dozen of them routinely migrate through North America. Even fewer of them remain year-round in the warmest areas of the West. These amazingly tiny birds – the smallest bird in the world is the bee hummingbird, which weighs less than an ounce – mostly prefer the warmth of the tropics in Central and South America.
If you’re looking to attract hummingbirds to your yard, you should know that they’re attracted to brightly colored flowers with a tubular shape. These voracious flying gems have the highest metabolic rate of any animal on earth and spend most of their waking hours in search of the sugary nectar that provides most of their energy. A single hummingbird might visit as many as 2,000 flowers in one day, lapping up nectar with its extremely long tongue.
You can encourage hummingbirds to visit your garden by growing some of the many plants that attract them instead of maintaining a hummingbird feeder. The good news is that you don’t have to clean flowers, as you do the feeders.
What type of flowers do hummingbirds like? A variety! These plants produce hummingbird-friendly flowers and will add cheerful pops of color to your garden.
ANNUAL FLOWERS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS
1. PETUNIA
An annual that is popular from spring to summer, petunias, are available in almost every color. They are easy to take care of and can be grown in hanging baskets, containers, or along a garden border. They need to be in a sunny spot, the soil should be kept moist but not too wet, and they should be fed once or twice during their growing season. Hummingbirds are especially attracted to the red, purple, and pink varieties.
Zones:
Annual
Height/Spread:
6 to 10 inches tall and 10 to 30 inches wide
2. CALIBRACHOA
Calibrachoa, also called Superbells® and Million Bells® is a vibrant, low-maintenance option for color in your garden.Available in every color of the rainbow, with both single and double flower forms, you can choose from compact or trailing varieties.
Zones:
Annual
Height/Spread:
3-8 inches in height and 10-30 inches in width.
3. ANNUAL CUPHEA
Definitely consider adding cuphea to your summer plans – it’s bound to entertain people of all ages! The bonus is that hummingbirds love these flowers, so they’ll add to the enjoyment! The flowers come in a variety of shapes, including some that look like little mice, as well as more traditional forms and elongated tubes. They’re perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers.
Zones:
Annual
Height/Spread:
The plant is 8-28 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide.
PERENNIALS THAT ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS
4. CATMINT
The delicate gray-green foliage of catmint can be used to line pathways, and its fragrance will drift across gardens and lawns. This easy-to-grow perennial herb has few pests or problems. Deer resistant and fast growing, it thrives on neglect as long as it’s in full sun and well-draining soil. Whether it sprawls or stands upright, catmint’s spikes of flowers will bloom throughout the growing season, producing waves of tiny flowers on delicate stalks.
Zones:
3-8
Height/Spread:
The plant will grow to be 12-36 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide.
5. SAGE, SALVIA
There are many plants in the Salvia genus which are all in the mint family. These plants are tall with clustered flowers and have lance-shaped leaves. They are known for their fragrant smell which is amplified when the leaves are cut or crushed. Many different types of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are attracted to the different varieties of Salvia. The most notable exceptions are Salvia microphylla “Hot Lips” and Salvia greggii, more commonly known as autumn sage. The former has two-toned red and white blooms while the latter produces red, purple, pink, or white flowers. Both of these Salvias are native to North America. All Salvias prefer sunny locations and can withstand moderate droughts.
Zones:
3-11
Height/Spread:
ethe plant typically grows The plant grows to a typical height of 1-1/2 to 4 feet and a typical width of 1-1/2 to 3 feet.
6. BEARDTONGUE, PENSTEMON
This long-blooming perennial is perfect for adding color to your garden in many design styles, including cottage garden, prairie, xeriscape, and rock gardens. There are many shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from, including some varieties with deep purple foliage. Spikes of tubular flowers in red, orange, purple, or blue are favored by hummingbirds.
Zones:
3-9
Height/Spread:
The plant will grow to be 1-1/2 to 4 feet tall and 1-1/2 to 3 feet wide.
7. BEE BALM
Bee balm is a native plant to North America that is part of the mint family. It is characterized by its red, pink, purple, or white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Bee balm is a perennial plant that does best when grown in full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It needs moist soil and good air circulation to prevent downy mildew. spent blooms should be removed to encourage new growth.
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread:
No taller than 48 inches and no wider than 28 inches
8. DAYLILY
The daylily is a versatile, low-maintenance perennial that is forgiving and easy to grow. It is not fussy about soil or light, and is tolerant of drought and heat. It is also free of disease and pests. It can be used in a border or grown on its own. It has grass-like leaves, and leafless stems (scapes) that bear several large, colorful trumpet-shaped flowers. These flowers typically last for one day. Hybridizers have created new varieties, such as spider, ruffled, doubles, and repeat bloomers, so you need not feel confined to just the popular Stella de Oro.
Zones:
3-9
Height/Spread:
The plant is 1 to 6 feet tall and 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide.
9. ANISE HYSSOP, HUMMINGBIRD MINT
The hyssop genus is a great choice for your sunny garden. They are aromatic, drought tolerant, and resistant to deer and rabbits. Compact varieties work well in containers and hanging baskets, while mid-sized and taller selections mingle well in naturalistic, prairie-style designs. Flower colors include shades of red, orange, yellow, blue, and pink.
Zones:
5-9
Height/Spread:
The plant is 8 to 54 inches tall and 8 to 30 inches wide.
10. GARDEN PHLOX
This perennial is a classic in cottage gardens and is also a favorite of hummingbirds. The tall stems of fragrant flowers are popular with florists, while more compact selections ensure they can be enjoyed even as a container plant.
Zones:
4-8
Height/Spread:
This plant grows 12 to 48 inches tall and 12 to 36 inches wide.
11. BLAZING STAR, GAYFEATHER
The flowers of this deer-resistant perennial are bottle-brush shaped and come in violet or white. The grassy foliage is finely textured and provides contrast to broader leaves.
Zones:
3-9
Height/Spread:
Dimensions are 24 to 30 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide.
12. CARDINAL FLOWER
Cardinal flower is a perennial that thrives in full sun in northern climates or partial shade and is both deer and rabbit resistant. The tubular scarlet flowers look especially dramatic on selections that have dark foliage and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Zones:
3-9
Height/Spread:
2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
13. LUNGWORT
If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, Plant several clumps of lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.). Lungwort is one of the earliest perennials to offer nectar for hummingbirds in spring. It has sturdy stems that hold small clusters of white, pink, or blue flowers high above the silver spotted leaves.
Zones:
3-8
Height/Spread:
Eight to twelve inches in height and fifteen to eighteen inches in width.
14. CAPE FUCHSIA
The flower known as fuschia or fuchsia (depending on how you spell it) is a popular choice for hanging baskets because of its exotic single or double blooms that dangle from elongated stems. These flowers prefer rich, moist soil and partial to full shade, as well as protection from the wind, which can damage their delicate blooms.
Zones:
7-9
Height/Spread:
This plant typically grows to be 2-3 feet tall and 1.5-2 feet wide.
Plants to Try:
‘Moonraker’, ‘Sunshine’, ‘Magenta’
BUSHES AND VINES FOR HUMMINGBIRDS
15. WEIGELA
The shrub blooms in early summer with flowers in shades from palest pink to a true red. The foliage may be variegated, green, gold, or a rich plum. There are compact varieties available for small spaces and taller varieties available for larger landscapes. Weigela thrive in full sun and average soil, are drought tolerant once established, and are rarely bothered by deer.
Zones:
4-8
Height/Spread:
This plant grows to be 2-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide.
16. OREGON GRAPE
Pacific Northwest homeowners are often delighted to discover Anna’s hummingbirds overwintering in their garden, when the blooms of Oregon grape (Mahonia spp.) are an important food source. This evergreen shrub, which has holly-like leaves and yellow shuttlecock-type flowers in winter, followed by edible blue berries, prefers partial shade but still does well even in dry soil.
Zones:
5-ll
Height/Spread:
The plant grows 12 inches to 10 feet tall and 2 feet to 8 feet wide.
17. HARDY FUCHSIA
This shrub that flowers is easy to take care of and a great addition to your hummingbird garden. Many of them can withstand frost and adding a bright pop of color to a garden in the woods or a shady courtyard, especially if you choose one of the varieties with golden leaves. It’s possible that a cold winter could kill the shrub entirely, but it would come back quickly in the spring from the bottom.
Zones:
6-10
Height/Spread:
Most varieties of holly will be 2-6 feet tall and 2-6 feet wide when fully grown. However, the size and hardiness of a holly tree can differ depending on the variety.
18. AZALEA
There are few shrubs that can compare to azaleas in terms of color in spring. They make an excellent addition to any garden, and require relatively little maintenance. Azaleas prefer to grow in acidic soil that retains moisture well.
Zones:
3-10
Height/Spread:
They grow to be 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.
19. FLOWERING CURRANT
This large shrub is easy to grow and can tolerate dry conditions. It is also resistant to deer and is native to the western United States and Canada. The plant produces a lot of flowers in the spring, which attracts hummingbirds. You should place the shrub where you can see it so that you can enjoy the flowers.
Zones:
6-8
Height/Spread:
This shrub will typically grow to be 3 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 10 feet wide.
20. FLOWERING QUINCE
The flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a bold plant that is covered in small rose-like blossoms in early spring. There are new varieties that are thornless and more compact that can be used in a container garden. The flowers can be any color from palest pink to deepest crimson.
Zones:
5-9
Height/Spread:
The plant grows to be 4-8 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide.
21. YELLOW BELLS, ESPERANZA
Yellow bells is a large shrub that can be used for screening or boundary planting. It is native to the southern United States through South America. The newer, more compact hybrids are more popular with homeowners. Hummingbirds love the yellow, orange, or apricot blooms. These shrubs need regular water and full sun to thrive.
Zones:
8-11
Height/Spread:
They can range from 3 to 25 feet tall and 3 to 20 feet wide.
22. TRUMPET VINE
The vine grows quickly and needs a large, sturdy structure to support its weight. It also produces a lot of suckers, which, together with its ability to spread seed, has caused it to be declared invasive in some areas. Plant it in full sun in soil that is of average fertility or less.
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread:
between 25 and 40 feet tall, and between 5 and 10 feet wide
23. TRUMPET HONEYSUCKLE
Trumpet honeysuckle is a native plant of the eastern United States that does not produce a lot of seeds, unlike Japanese honeysuckle. It is easy to grow in any type of soil, but it flowers best when it is in full sunlight. The flowers give off a strong fragrance, and after they bloom, red berries appear. These berries are a favorite food of many different kinds of birds. The plant usually blooms in late spring, but it sometimes flowers sporadically until fall. Depending on the climate, it might lose its leaves every year (deciduous), keep some of its leaves all year long (semi-evergreen), or keep all of its leaves year-round (evergreen).
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread:
The plant grows 8-20 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide.
What about using hummingbird feeders?
While feeders filled with sugar solution may encourage hummingbirds to visit, they also attract ants, bees, and wasps. In warm conditions, the solution can quickly become cloudy with bacteria, which is harmful or even fatal to the birds. Rather than using feeders, consider adding some of the plants listed above to your landscape or containers.
