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What kind of flowers are hummingbirds attracted to


Top 15 Colorful Hummingbird Flowers to Grow

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What flowers do hummingbirds like? Turn your garden into a pollinator haven with colorful hummingbird flowers such as bee balm and salvia.

Hummingbird flowers have three things in common. Their blooms are tube-shaped, brightly colored, and they grow where it’s easy for hummingbirds to hover and sip. If you want to attract more of these beautiful birds, plant these flowers that hummingbirds like in your yard or garden.

Courtesy Laurie Dirkx

1. Cardinal Flower

Lobelia Cardinalis, Zones 2 to 9

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide

Cardinal flower, named for the red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, needs mulch to retain moisture during summer and protect its root system during cold northern winters. It’s one of the top hummingbirds flowers you should grow.

Why we love it: This deer-resistant, reseeding and self-rooting perennial lights up partial shade or full sun areas that boast consistently moist soil. Flower spikes open from bottom to top, and stay in bloom for several weeks. 

Check out the top 10 red hummingbird flowers.

Courtesy Melissa Brewer

2. Bee Balm

Monarda species, Zones 4 to 9

Size: 1 to 4 feet tall and wide

For a surefire way to attract hummingbirds with flowers, grow bee balm. This beauty grows up to 4 feet tall in full sun and starts flowering in midsummer. You can even find several varieties on the market that are resistant to mildew. Whether you choose natives or cultivated varieties, the birds can’t resist the nectar-rich blooms. Bee balm needs sun, moist soil, and plenty of air circulation to ward off powdery mildew.

Why we love it: After the tubular pink, red, white or violet flowers fade, the round seed heads add beauty in fall and winter and may self-sow.

Check out the top annual flowers that attract hummingbirds. Then, take a look at the best perennials to grow for hummingbirds. 

Courtesy Walters Gardens Inc.

3. Penstemon

Penstemon species, Zones 3 to 9

Size: 1 to 4 feet tall

Penstemons are North American natives that come in many forms. It’s best to plant those that are native to your area. These hummingbird flowers are low-maintenance if you place them in full sun and soil with excellent drainage; they hate wet feet, especially in the winter.

Why we love it: The options are nearly limitless. Choose from a wide palette of flower colors, including white, yellow, blue, purple, red and orange. 

Grow these potted flowers and plants that attract hummingbirds.

Courtesy Walters Gardens Inc.

4. Hosta

Hosta Species, Zones 3 to 9

Size: 6 to 30 inches

Although most hostas are grown for their leaves, they also have flowers that hummingbirds like. The large bell-shaped blooms are excellent nectar sources in hues of purple to white.

Why we love it: Everyone thinks of hummingbird plants for sunny areas, but the little fliers like a sweet treat in the shade, too.

Check out more long-blooming flowers for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

Courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.

5. Catmint

Nepeta Species, Zones 3 to 9

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall, often wider than it is tall

Catmint is easy to grow, long-blooming, heat-tolerant, and deer- and pest-resistant. After the hummingbird flowers fade, shear off the spent blooms and about a third of the stalk for a second round.

Why we love it: Hummingbirds especially like Siberian catmint’s blue blooms (Nepeta sibirica). Just be aware that this variety can be an aggressive grower.

Check out the top 10 purple flowers that attract hummingbirds.

Courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc

6.

Agastache

Agastache species, Zones 4 to 9

Size: 1 to 5 feet tall

It’s no coincidence that a common name for one of the agastache species is hummingbird mint. That type excels in dry regions. Choose anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) in northern, wetter climates. Tiny tubular hummingbird flowers on slender stalks grow in a variety of colors and shapes. Full sun and excellent drainage are essential for keeping plants happy.

Why we love it: Deer and rabbits leave it alone.

Learn how to create an ideal hummingbird habitat.

Courtesy Jake Bonello

7. Eastern Red Columbine

Aquilegia Canadensis, Zones 3 to 8

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall, 1 foot wide

This easy-to-grow perennial performs in part to full shade. It reseeds itself to replenish older plants, which tend to lose vigor after three or four years. The airy habit allows it to grow among other plants.

Why we love it: Sure, you can find cultivated varieties of columbines, but native columbine, with its crimson spurs and bright yellow stamens, is an early-season favorite flower that hummingbirds like.

Psst—hummingbirds also love these pink nasturtium flowers.

North Creek Nurseries Inc.

8. Trumpet Honeysuckle

Lonicera Sempervirens, Zones 4 to 10

Size: 10- to 20-foot vine

If you have a fence, arbor or trellis in full sun to part shade, plant a colorful trumpet honeysuckle vine. Hummingbirds go absolutely wild for this climber. We don’t always recommend honeysuckle—many types are invasive—but this one is an exception worth considering. It’s native to many areas, and hummingbirds will visit all summer for its nectar. The vine climbs up to 12 feet tall and thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Why we love it: After a flush of blooms in late spring, flowers continue sporadically until fall. Prune or don’t prune—your choice.

“Trumpet honeysuckle is by far the most favored hummingbird plant in my yard. It blooms all season, produces fruit that other birds enjoy and is native to the United States,” says Karen Dennis, Plymouth, Michigan.

Psst—did you know that honeysuckle is the June birth flower?

Courtesy Liz Tabb

9. Salvia

Salvia species, annual to perennial Zones 3 to 10

Size: 1 to 6 feet tall

Pick a salvia, any type of salvia—hummingbirds like them all. The tubular blooms are just right for dipping a beak into. Salvias grow best in full sun to part shade. Annual salvia is a garden favorite, but don’t forget the power of the perennial variety. The blooms can reach 1 to 5 feet tall, flowering in bright shades of purple, indigo, maroon and even red. Grow in full sun, and you’ll probably want to add a few extra for the butterflies, too. Check out the top 10 salvias to grow for hummingbirds.

Why we love it: Almost continuously blooming, especially in hot, dry conditions, salvias come in a huge selection of colors and plant habits. Many gardeners grow these hummingbird flowers because they’re a good drought-tolerant option in summer. Don’t forget to grow it in well-draining soil for best results.

“Hummingbirds love all of the salvias, but Black & Blue is a favorite in our yard,” says Ginny Phillips Olathe, Kansas.

Also grow Mexican bush sage and cypress vine for hummingbirds and butterflies.

Courtesy Julie Droppleman

10. Zinnia

Zinnia Elegans, annual

Size: 6 to 48 inches tall

Humans and hummingbirds like zinnia flowers for several reasons. They’re easy to grow from seed. The birds sip from the central florets, and you can snip the blooms to create indoor bouquets.

Why we love it: There are so many colors to choose from! If you’re planting a rainbow of colors and need green flowers, choose Queen Lime, Envy, Tequila Lime or other chartreuse varieties.

Learn how to attract hummingbirds to your balcony.

11. Flowering Tobacco

Nicotiana spp., annual

Often flying under the radar, this might be one of the best-kept secrets among hummingbird plants. Yes, it is an annual, but once gardeners discover the power of this flower, they eagerly plant it again and again. You can find it in a whole spectrum of colors, including pink, white, red, lavender and green.

Bonus tip: While it varies by cultivar, this plant is also known for its fragrance. If you like sweet-smelling blooms in the evening for a moon garden, make sure you pick a white-flowering variety.

Discover the 15 types of hummingbirds found in the United States.

Walters Gardens Inc.

12. Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia, Zones 5 to 9

Red hot poker is one of the most dramatic and visually appealing flowers in the garden, pale yellow at the base and bold orange on top. Some varieties have an extra jolt of orange. The plants grow up to 4 feet high and are among the earlier summer bloomers.

Bonus tip: You really want to plant these in well-draining soil. They’re prone to rot in boggy or even moist soil.

Discover 17 jaw-dropping facts about hummingbirds.

Walters Gardens Inc.

13. Delphinium

Delphinium, Zones 3 to 7

This towering treasure makes a statement at the back of a mixed border, as a vertical accent or in a container. With dozens of blooms on each stem, it gives hummingbirds plenty of nectar sources to share with butterflies and other bugs, too.

Bonus tip: Some varieties, like the Summer Blues pictured here, are a lot bluer than others. For heat tolerance, try the Blue Mirror cultivar.

Discover 14 questions about hummingbird feeders answered by experts.

Courtesy Eric Tome

14. Trumpet Vine

Campsis radicans, Zones 4 to 9

We see dozens of photos of hummingbirds at trumpet vine, and there’s a good reason. They like this sweet beauty! A perennial favorite of both butterflies and hummingbirds, it grows up to 40 feet tall.

Bonus tip: When you plant this stunner, it pays to invest in a good trellis, or put it next to a tree, telephone pole or sturdy fence. If you can provide this vine with good support, it will last for years.

Discover the top 10 vines for hummingbirds.

Bailey Nurseries

15. Coral Bells

Heuchera, Zones 3 to 9

Don’t overlook the power of pink, a color available in many species that we normally think of as having red flowers. Coral bells are valued for their foliage and shade tolerance. In late spring, the plant sends up attractive, long-lasting wands of tiny flowers that hummingbirds like all summer long.

Bonus tip: Spend time getting to know the different cultivars, which have some of the garden’s most diverse and beautiful foliage options. It won’t be long until you have your own favorites.

Check out the top 10 hummingbird plants that grow in shade.

Readers’ Favorite Hummingbird Flowers

Firecracker Plant

Photo: Courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com

“Every year I place a big pot of large firecracker plant (Cuphea ‘Vermillionaire’) on my deck. Hummingbirds are zipping about just inches from me all summer!” says Janet Doherty, Scarborough, Maine.

Red Canna Lily

Courtesy Andrea Garvin

“Almost every time I look at my red canna lilies, there is a hummingbird at them,” says Liza Vaughn, Fairfax, Virginia.

Aloe Plant

Courtesy Koji Kanemoto

“My king aloe plant blooms four or five times each summer, sending up grand 4-foot stalks covered in bell-shaped flowers. Hummers sit on the branches and feed,” says Lorraine Smith, Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Next, learn what foods, how often and how much hummingbirds eat.

Popular Videos

10 Best Flowers for Attracting Hummingbirds

Introduction

Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller

Reviewed by Kathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

The Spruce

There are many flowers that can attract hummingbirds, but some are better at enticing these flying jewels than others.

When choosing hummingbird flowers for your garden or landscape, look for blooms with rich, bright colors (red flowers are particular hummingbird favorites), long or tapered shapes that can accommodate the hovering birds' long bills, and plentiful nectar to keep them coming back for more sips.

Native plants are always preferred because hummingbirds will be more familiar with the flowers and the plants will thrive with minimal care. Also, consider plants with a long bloom time or repeat blooming, which will provide a reliable food source for hummingbirds for many weeks.

The same plants loved by hummingbirds will also be attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Check your local nursery or landscaping center for popular and appropriate cultivars for your area, and create your own hummingbird habitat today.

If you are looking for inspiration, listed below are 10 of the best flower species for attracting hummingbirds to your landscape.

Diversity is Important

It is a good idea to use multiple plants in your hummingbird garden rather than relying on one or two species. A diverse hummingbird garden will be more attractive and will provide ample food for different hummingbird species throughout the spring, summer, and fall. If you live in a southern area, you might even investigate flowers that bloom through mild winters. That way you can offer much-needed food for migrating hummingbirds overwintering in your area.

The 8 Best Hummingbird Feeders of 2023

Hummingbirds Like Spider Webs

If your goal is to attract hummingbirds to your garden, don't remove any spider webs that appear among the plants. Hummingbirds use the delicate threads of these webs for material to build nests. And hummingbirds often steal insects that are trapped in spider webs.

Types of Hummingbirds in North America

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Szopinska, Dorota. Diseases of Zinnia. Handbook of Florists' Crops Diseases. Handbook of Plant Disease Management, edited by R, McGovern, W. Elmer, Springer, Cham, 2016, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-32374-9_28-1

  2. Buddleja davidii Franch. Orange Eye Butterfly Bush. U.S. Department of Agriculture Plants Database.

Top 10 Flowers To Attract Hummingbirds 💡 Gardening | HomeInteriorz.com

There are dozens of flowers that can attract hummingbirds, but some flowers are better at enticing these flying jewels than others. When choosing hummingbird flowers for your garden or landscape, look for flowers that have rich, vibrant colors (red is preferred but not essential to attract hummingbirds), special long or tapered forms that can accommodate long bills of soaring birds, and are rich in nectar to keep the bird coming back for more. Native species are always preferred because hummingbirds will be more familiar with them and plants will develop more easily with a minimum of care, and plants with long bloom times or repeat blooms are considered to be a reliable food source for hummingbirds for many weeks. Adding a variety of flowers will not only create an attractive hummingbird garden, but also provide ample food for a variety of hummingbirds throughout the spring, summer, and fall, and even explore flowers that can bloom in mild winters to feed overwintered hummingbirds in southern areas.

These 10 flowers are tried and true plants that love hummingbirds love. Check your local nursery or landscaping for popular and suitable varieties for your area and create a backyard stroller habitat!

❓ What are the best hummingbird flowers?

👉 The Lupine is worth a special mention on this list of hummingbird flowers. It has long, beautiful spikes of flowers that come in different sizes and colors (including white, red, purple, pink, orange, and cream) and attractive grayish-green foliage. Even with so many different species, the hummingbirds seem to appreciate every single one of them.

❓ What are the Best-Kept Secrets among hummingbird plants?

👉 Often flying under the radar, this might be one of the best-kept secrets among hummingbird plants. Yes, it is an annual, but once gardeners discover the power of this flower, they eagerly plant it again and again. You can find it in a whole spectrum of colors, including pink, white, red, lavender and green.

❓ What colors attract hummingbirds?

👉 Hummingbirds love a red roost any time. To them, red is a sign of food. Once in your garden, you will notice the birds gravitating towards red blossoms. Other colors that attract the birds include yellow, orange, lilac, purple and pink shades.

❓ Do hummingbirds like Zinnia flowers?

👉 Humans and hummingbirds like zinnia flowers for several reasons. They're easy to grow from seed. The birds sip from the central florets, and you can snip the blooms to create indoor bouquets.

Video instruction: Chrysolampis mosquitus - Beija-flor-vermelho - Ruby-topaz Hummingbird.

Hummingbirds were blamed for elongation of foxglove flowers brought to America

Purple foxgloves, brought to Colombia and Costa Rica from Great Britain, grew longer corollas of flowers in just a century and a half. The researchers who found these changes suggest pollinators are responsible. If foxgloves are pollinated by bumblebees in their homeland, then in America they are also visited by hummingbirds, which are much more efficient pollen carriers. The elongation of the corolla may be an attempt by plants to limit access to nectar for bumblebees and rely on bird pollination. The results of the study were published in an article for the journal Journal of Ecology .

Biological species that, thanks to man, have penetrated new regions for themselves, are notorious. This is not surprising, because many of them have turned into dangerous invaders that destroy entire ecosystems and cause serious damage to the economy. Examples include Sosnowski's cow parsnip or rabbits and cats that flooded Australia.

On the other hand, however, by observing invasive species, biologists can track rapid evolutionary change and the formation of ecological bonds in real time. For example, a number of studies have focused on how birds introduced to Hawaii are replacing the almost extinct Hawaiian flower girls as the main pollinators of native trees. On the other side of the world, in South Africa, ornithologists watch as sunbirds learn to feed on plants imported from America, whose flowers are imprisoned for hummingbird pollination.

A team of researchers led by Maria Clara Castellanos of the University of Sussex has focused on a successful invasive species, the purple foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ). The homeland of this plant is Europe and North Africa, however, together with people, it has penetrated into many regions of the world. For example, foxglove began to spread in the mountains of Central and South America in the middle of the 19th century. Here they unexpectedly encountered new pollinators. If in Europe and Africa foxglove flowers are visited mainly by bumblebees, then on the other side of the Atlantic, in addition to local species of bumblebees, hummingbirds also feed on them.

Castellanos and her colleagues decided to learn more about the relationship between hummingbirds and digitalis. To do this, they studied seven populations of these plants from Colombia and Costa Rica. In addition, four British populations were included in the analysis. The fact is that, according to previous studies, Colombian and Costa Rican digitalis independently descended from ancestors brought to America from Great Britain.

Team members first confirmed that if pollinators were denied access to foxglove flowers, they would produce far fewer seeds (p < 0.001). This result was obtained during experiments in two British and one Colombian populations. In other words, self-pollination is not enough for foxglove to reproduce successfully - they need helpers.

Observations of foxglove flowers have shown that bumblebees are the main pollinators in both Great Britain and Colombia and Costa Rica. However, in American populations, up to 27 percent of all visits are to hummingbirds (average 22 percent). However, in general, Colombian and Costa Rican foxgloves attract more visitors (p = 0.005). On the other hand, plants from American populations regularly encounter nectar thieves who make a hole in the base of the corolla. In the UK, this problem does not exist.

In the next step, Castellanos and her colleagues evaluated the effectiveness of various foxglove pollinators. It turned out that hummingbirds from the genera Eriocnemis and Aglaeactis , which visit these plants in Colombia, carry much more pollen grains than bumblebees: an average of 4380 per bird. In comparison, the British bumblebee transports an average of 728 pollen grains, while the Columbian bumblebee carries 1,780 grains. Hummingbirds also transport pollen farther than insects, which can increase the reproductive success of plants.

Thus, it is more profitable for American digitalis to rely on hummingbird pollination. To test whether this influenced their evolution, the researchers compared the flower morphology and some other features of plants from different populations. It turned out that the proximal part of the corolla in Colombian and Costa Rican foxgloves is longer than in British foxgloves by 13 percent and 26 percent, respectively. Apparently, in American populations, this trait is under the influence of natural selection (no signs of this could be found in plants from British populations).

Since the length of the proximal part of the corolla determines whether the pollinator can reach the nectar, a change in this trait in American digitalis may indicate that they are trying to make flowers inaccessible to bumblebees and switch to pollination by more efficient pollinators - hummingbirds. It is possible that this evolutionary process was also reflected in birds - ornithologists know that the beaks of hummingbirds and the corollas of the flowers they pollinate often coevolve. The most extreme example of this kind is the sword-billed hummingbird ( Ensifera ensifera ) which uses its giant beak to drink nectar from the flowers of plant Passiflora mixta with very long corollas. It is the only pollinator of this plant species.

Under laboratory conditions, plants can adapt to changing pollinator composition even faster.

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