Plant attracts hummingbirds: 19 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

19 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

Designing Your Garden for Beautiful Blooms and Birds

By

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Editorial Process

Updated on 03/10/23

Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller

Reviewed by
Kathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and horticulturist with over 30 years of experience in 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.

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Review Board

DansPhotoArt on flickr / Getty Images

Many flowers attract hummingbirds. Red flowers like columbine and crocosmia have a reputation for catching the attention of these winged wonders, also flowers with long, tubular throats like honeysuckle or rose of Sharon. But, despite popular belief, hummingbirds love nectar-rich flowers of all colors.

Aim for a floral mix of different sizes, textures, forms, and bloom times when planning a garden to attract hummingbirds. You can choose from annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, trees, bedding plants, and hanging plants.

Here are 19 flowers favored by hummingbirds, including many red flowers and purple, white, orange, pink, and blue hues.

Flower Factors to Consider

In addition to being attractive flowers for hummingbirds, the following criteria should be considered when selecting plants:

• Diversity in height and shape to increase landscape design options
• Showiness of bloom
• Ease of maintenance and planting
• Color choices within the species
• Attractiveness of foliage
• Early blooming or long blooming period

Vines, Bushes, and Herbaceous Perennials

Vines and bushes are essential for those who want to combine effective landscape design with the hobby of watching hummingbirds or butterflies. Bushes can be used as structural elements to form a border to separate two properties. They can be similarly employed within your property bounds to define distinct outdoor spaces.

Even a driveway can be transformed from a humdrum component of a landscape to an aesthetic achievement if bordered by attractive bushes. A vine-covered arbor can likewise be an important structural element of a landscape, furnishing it with a focal point.

Here are some of the best annuals, perennials, vines, and herbaceous plants to serve as hummingbird magnets for perennial flower beds.

• 01
  of 19

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  The long-blooming perennial bee balm (Monarda didyma) is a fine choice for plants in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. This member of the mint family with red or light purple blooms likes soil that is slightly acidic and on the moist side. It reaches a maximum of 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide (many cultivars are smaller). Full sun in the North is best; in the South, give it partial shade.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties: Red, purple, pink, white, lavender
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist
  • Mature Size: 10–48 in. tall, 10–36 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 02
  of 19

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) bears fragrant flowers that draw hummingbirds to yards in zones 4 to 8. These perennials can give you a number of different looks, including the variegated leaves of ‘Nora Leigh’ (24 to 36 inches tall with a width about half that) and the white flowers of the mildew-resistant ‘David’ cultivar (3 to 4 feet tall, spreading about 2 to 3 feet) that make it a good moon garden plant. Give garden phlox full sun in the North and partial sun in the South.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties: Lavender, lilac, pink, purple, salmon, white
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained
  • Mature Size: 2 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 03
  of 19

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  Red columbine (Aquilegia canadense) is a 2-foot-tall perennial for zones 3 to 8. Its blooms are showy and timely and are perfect for attracting hummingbirds just beginning to return north from their winter homes. Columbine performs well in partial shade.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, violet, pink, white
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, moist but well-drained; slightly acidic
  • Mature Size: 1-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 04
  of 19

  The Spruce / K. Dave

  Blue lupine (Lupinus perennis) is native to North America; grow it in zones 3 to 8. Two feet tall when in bloom, this plant isn’t as showy as the non-native lupines, but native plant enthusiasts will gladly give up a little pizzazz to see hummingbirds sipping nectar from a made-in-America perennial. Give it full sun in the North, and partial shade in the South.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties: Blue; sometimes white or pinkish
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Dry to average moisture, well-drained soil
  • Mature Size: 2–24 inches tall, 12–18 inches wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 05
  of 19

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood

  Delphinium is a traditional favorite that supplies hummingbirds with food. Their value also comes from the heights they reach. Some delphiniums can be grown in zones 3 to 9, often up to 7 feet tall.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties: Blue, pink, purple, white
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Moist loam, well-draining
  • Mature Size: 6 in. to 7 ft. fall
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 06
  of 19

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Sun-loving hollyhocks (Alcea) often outgrow even the delphiniums and are hardy to zone 3. Technically biennials, hollyhocks self-seed so well that they are usually treated as perennials. Both delphiniums and hollyhocks come in a variety of colors and, due to their stately stature, are an excellent choice to form a back row in a tiered perennial bed.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-10
  • Flower Color Varieties: White, pink, red, yellow, lavender
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: Typically up to 8 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Somewhat

• 07
  of 19

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood

  Seek the ‘Lucifer’ cultivar of Crocosmia (30 to 36 inches tall and about half as wide) for flowers in the orange-to-red color range. This South African native is “for the birds,” while rabbit pests avoid it. Crocosmia plants spring out of corms and should be grown in full sun to partial shade in zones 5 to 9.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties: Red, yellow, orange
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 2-3 feet high
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 08
  of 19

  The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

  Cold-hardy to zone 4, Salvia nemorosa is usually known for its spikes of bluish or purplish flowers. But this perennial salvia also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Many cultivars are available. Size is commonly 18 to 24 inches in height, with a similar spread. The leaves are lance-shaped and give off a pungent aroma. Give Salvia nemorosa full sun and adequate water, and deadhead it, and it will provide color all summer long.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties: Lavender to violet blue
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • Mature Size: 18 to 24 inches in height, with a similar spread
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 09
  of 19

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  The plants are small, and the flowers are even smaller, but Heuchera spp. attract hummingbirds. ‘Blondie’ is a cultivar of coral bells with yellow flowers for zones 4 to 9. This perennial can take full sun. It’s a small (5 inches when not in bloom) plant, useful at the front of a perennial border.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties: Red, white, pink, orange
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist but well-drained
  • Mature Size: 8–18 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 10
  of 19

  The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  Impatiens is a bedding plant that draws hummingbirds. This small annual will grow in the shade, allowing you to attract hummingbirds to your yard even if you have a small property and don’t get much sun on your land. Impatient Lucy doesn’t get much bigger than a foot tall and commonly flowers in white, red, pink, violet, coral, or purple.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
  • Flower Color Varieties: White, red, pink, orange, purple, yellow
  • Light: Partial sun, full shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-draining; acidic
  • Mature Size: 6–36 in. tall; 1–3 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: No

• 11
  of 19

  The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

  A shrub that has a prime place in sunny hummingbird gardens is Buddleia davidii. It can get 6 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 15 feet in warm climates. For some growers, that is too big, so consider pruning it back to the ground in late winter or early spring. It will re-emerge from its root system.

  If you need a further incentive for pruning the butterfly bush, consider that you get more and bigger blooms on the butterfly bush’s new growth that hummingbirds can feed from. Treat the butterfly bush as an herbaceous perennial rather than a shrub. 

  Blooms on butterfly bushes can be purple, pink, white, or red, usually with an orange throat in the center. Grow this shrub in zones 5 to 10. It can be invasive in some areas, including the Pacific Northwest. A new cultivar, ‘Blue Chip,’ is touted as a non-invasive alternative.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties: Purple, pink, blue, white, yellow
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil
  • Mature Size: 3–12 ft. tall, 3-8-ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

  Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to Your Garden

• 12
  of 19

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Catawba rhododendron shrubs (Rhododendron catawbiense) are broadleaf evergreen bushes with dark-green, leathery foliage. They bear spectacular flowers in the spring that are effective for attracting hummingbirds. This rhododendron shrub is easy to transplant, but, like other rhododendrons, it does require acidic soil.

  It grows best in zones 4 to 8 and in partial shade. Blooms can be white, lavender, rose, or red, which hummingbirds love. Catawba can reach a height of 6 to 8 feet, with a spread of 4 to 6 feet.

  The ‘Red Walloper’ cultivar is a bigger rhododendron, named for its extensive, reddish-pink flower heads. It becomes 10 feet by 10 feet and takes full sun to partial shade. It isn’t as hardy as Catawba, suited only to zones 7 to 9. A rhododendron display is most effective when bushes are massed together.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties: White, lavender, rose, or red
  • Light: Partial sun to full shade
  • Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained; acidic
  • Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall, 4-6 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: No

  Warning

  Rhododendron is toxic to people, dogs, cats, and other pets.

• 13
  of 19

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood

  Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a late-blooming shrub with an upright growing habit that can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet with a spread of 4 to 6 feet. These bushes profit from pruning and do their best in full sun. Blooms can be red, pink, purple, blue, or white. They work well in shrub borders in zones 5 to 9.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
  • Flower Color Varieties: Pink, purple, lavender, red, blue, white; often with dark throats
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained; acidic
  • Mature Size: 8–12 ft. tall, 6–10 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Somewhat

• 14
  of 19

  The Spruce / David Beaulieu

  Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) produces orange or reddish-orange to salmon flowers throughout most summer months in zones 4 to 9. It does best in full sun to partial shade. Provide this 40-foot-tall vine with an arbor, trellis, or fence, and let it climb. This vigorous vine must be pruned back to keep it “within bounds.” Indeed, even in the southeastern U. S. (to which it is native), this vine is sometimes considered a weed. It may be too aggressive or invasive for many gardeners, so do not grow it if you do not want it popping up all over your yard.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
  • Flower Color Varieties: Orange, red, yellow
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Average, moist but well-drained
  • Mature Size: 25–40 ft. long, 5–10 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: No

• 15
  of 19

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Honeysuckle vines can be grown in full sun to partial shade. Magnifica honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens ‘Magnifica’), with its large, scarlet flowers that attract hummingbirds, can be grown in zones 3 to 9. Unlike the trumpet vine, this 10-to-20-foot plant is a true creeper, meaning more maintenance is required to climb a trellis, achieving the best display. Some species of honeysuckle are invasive, so be mindful when choosing one for your garden.

  Lonicera sempervirens is sometimes called “trumpet honeysuckle,” so do not confuse it with trumpet vine. Both may have “trumpet” in their common names, but as you can see from their scientific names, they are two distinct plants. Hall’s Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’; zones 4 to 9) is a 15-foot-tall vine hardy to zone 5 valued for its tricolored (yellow, orange, red) floral show.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 (varies by species)
  • Flower Color Varieties: Yellow, pink, peach, red, and creamy white
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: Up to 25 feet (some species)
  • Deer Resistant: Depends on the species

• 16
  of 19

  The Spruce / Marie Ianotti

  As its name suggests, the cardinal climber (Ipomoea x multifida) has a striking red bloom. This 6-to-15-foot vine must be treated as an annual north of zone 6. Grow it in full sun.

  A more commonly grown plant in the same genus that attracts hummingbirds is Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue.’ The latter is the annual vines famous for bearing those wonderfully sky-blue flowers on vines 10 feet tall.

  Do not confuse cardinal vine with “cardinal flower” (Lobelia cardinalis), a perennial (zones 2 to 7) that also attracts hummingbirds. Because it likes moist soil, Lobelia cardinalis is an excellent choice for the rim of a water garden. It reaches 2 to 4 feet tall, with a spread half that.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12
  • Flower Color Varieties: Red
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6-15 ft. long, 9-2 in. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 17
  of 19

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  Lantana plants (Lantana camara) are perennials in zones 8 to 10, where they become 6 feet tall, with a spread of 8 feet. But, in colder climates, Lantana plants are often used as annuals for hanging baskets and stay much smaller. The ‘Spreading Sunset’ cultivar has a flower head with gold centers surrounded by an orange that later fades to pink. Like most of the entries on the list, these plants are sun lovers.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11
  • Flower Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, blue, white, pink
  • Light: Full
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
  • Mature Size: 6 ft. high and wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 18
  of 19

  The Spruce / Kara Riley

  Another hummingbird magnet commonly found in hanging baskets in the North is Fuchsia. Unlike Lantana, this one should be grown in the shade. It is even more tender than Lantana (zone 10 or 11). Flower color is commonly pink, purple, red, white, or violet and the most popular types have bi-colored flowers. It is shrubby and becomes 1 to 2 feet tall and wide.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
  • Flower Color Varieties: Red, pink, white, violet, purple
  • Light: Partial, shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 1 to 2 ft. tall, with a similar spread
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

• 19
  of 19

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  A tree that attracts hummingbirds is the silk tree, or “mimosa” (Albizia julibrissin). It’s a member of the pea family. This vigorous Chinese exotic quickly naturalizes at the southern end of its range in areas. It is considered an invasive plant in the southeastern U.S. Its puffy, pink flowers are aromatic, and its nectar attracts hummingbirds in zones 6 to 9. It stands 20 to 40 feet with a canopy as wide as 50 feet. Locate this tree in full sun to partial shade.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9 
  • Flower Color Varieties: Pink
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  • Mature Size: 20-40 ft. tall, 20-50 ft. wide
  • Deer Resistant: Yes

More Info on Landscaping With Plants for Hummingbirds

When drawing a landscape plan to determine what goes where in a new landscape layout, landscape designers divide the property into “activity zones.” In this case, the activity zones will focus on viewing hummingbirds as they feed on nectar. A diverse group of plant types serves different functions:

• Vines: The vine plants selected should be allowed to grow on arbors for the best impact. Position the arbor so you can watch the hummingbirds from a window inside your home.
• Shrubs: Mass the shrub plants in a border or on a landscaping berm to form sheltered areas. Breaking up a large, flat expanse is important, not only for visual effect but particularly when trying to attract secretive wildlife.
• Hanging plants: Sketch a patio into your plan to house the hanging plants selected. If your patio is shaded, use fuchsia hangers, not lantana. Combining patios with pergolas or arbors is often convenient since the latter will give you a place to hang your patio’s plants.
• Flower bed and hardscape: Perennial flower beds are the finishing touch to be implemented at the end. Work on hardscape elements first, such as arbors and patios, then plant larger plants, such as trees or shrubs.

Tip

Heavy yard work—even if only in the vicinity—puts fragile plants at risk of damage. Plant your most delicate plants last.

Top 10 Trees That Attract Hummingbirds

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. Poison Control – National Capital Poison Center. “Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plants.” Poison.org. N.p., n. d. Web. 

2. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Rhododendron.” Aspca.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 

3. Invasive Exotic Shrub Honeysuckles. United States Department of Agriculture.

10 Great Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds

By

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She’s also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie’s garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Editorial Process

Updated on 06/28/22

Reviewed by

Julie Thompson-Adolf

Reviewed by
Julie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author with over 30 years of experience in year-round organic gardening; seed starting, growing heirlooms, and sustainable farming.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Review Board

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Seeing a hummingbird darting through your garden is as delightful as seeing your flowers burst into bloom. To attract hummingbirds and keep them coming back to your garden regularly, make sure that, along with hummingbird feeders, you include a few hummingbird plants in your design.

What makes a plant a hummingbird favorite? It needs to be nectar-rich and preferably tubular in shape, which encourages the tiny birds to feed. Some popular choices are outlined below.

• 01
  of 10

  Agastache (Agastache spp.)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  There are many varieties of Agastache, and all of them are high in nectar. Sunset Hyssop (Agastache rupestris), shown here, is part of a group sometimes called the hummingbird mints. These flowers are also butterfly magnets.

  More border plants that are open invitations to hummingbirds are bee balm (Monarda hybrids), which also lives up to its name and attracts bees by the hiveful; and those towers of flowers like delphinium, hollyhocks, and foxgloves.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 5 to 10
  Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: Summer into fall

• 02
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Cardinal Flowers are a great choice for adding drama to a shady corner. Hummingbirds can spot their vivid red flowers no matter where you tuck them. And they are native plants in many areas.

  Another native plant choice, also great for partial shade, is red columbine. Hummingbirds adore the sweet nectar and appreciate the early-blooming food source.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 2 to 9
  Exposure: Full sun to partial shade (needs more shade in hot climates areas)
  Bloom Period: Summer into fall

• 03
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Who would have thought the delicate flowers of coral bells would be large enough to attract hummingbirds? Coral bells are a favorite of hummingbirds, but they only bloom once a season, and many gardeners cut them off in order to divert energy into the plant’s leaves. If you want hummers to visit you, let the plants bloom.

  There are many great perennials that will keep your hummingbirds happy. Choose a hosta with beautiful flowers, like the sweet-smelling Hosta plantaginea. Or try one of the long bloomers like lupine and liatris.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: late spring/ early summer

• 04
  of 10

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood

  Four o’clocks do not open until late in the afternoon, but they are worth waiting for. Their tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for visiting hummingbirds.

  If you’d like to get an earlier start, morning glories (Ipomoea tricolor) open with the sun and remain open until the afternoon heat. They also re-seed readily on their own, so although they are annuals, you often only need to plant them once. Be careful: morning glories can quickly overtake your garden.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 7 to 11
  Exposure: full sun
  Bloom Period: mid-summer

• 05
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  There are more than 100 species of fuchsia. Most of them are tropical or semi-tropical tender perennials and are grown in many areas as annuals, but there are a few cultivars that are hardy to zone 6. The trailing varieties are perfect for hanging baskets and can attract a wide variety of visitors, wherever you hang them.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 6 to 11​
  Exposure: partial shade
  Bloom Period: mid-summer into fall

• 06
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Lantana is a plant recommended for novice gardeners. It is a striking plant, and if you are lucky enough to be growing it in USDA zone 7b or higher, you can grow it into a shrub or even a standard the size of a small tree. The rest of us can still enjoy it as an annual. It’s also nice in containers.

  For those in cooler climates, try rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), also a woody shrub capable of being trained into a small tree and covered in flowers for weeks on end.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 7b to 11 ​
  Exposure: full sun
  Bloom Period: summer into fall

  Some trailing varieties of lantana work well in containers or hanging baskets. 

• 07
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Who hasn’t grown petunias? They’re a garden staple. The flowers are also the perfect shape for a hummingbird dinner. Some of the newer varieties are not particularly fragrant and may not have as much nectar as the older open-pollinated varieties, but give them a try.

  Petunias naturally trail, making them great for hanging baskets. If you’d like a longer vine for trailing or climbing, some good choices include canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum), cardinal vine/ cypress vine (Ipomoea sloteri), and the quick growing scarlet runner bean.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11, usually grown as an annual
  Exposure: full sun
  Bloom Period: spring through fall

  This plant works welling in containers or hanging baskets. 

• 08
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  New salvia varieties are constantly being introduced, and they are wonderful for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your gardens. Whether the blues of mealy cup sage (Salvia farinacea), ‘Black and Blue’ anise sage (Salvia guaranitica), or scarlet lady in red, these hummingbird plants will bloom virtually non-stop throughout the season.

  Although gardeners might take impatiens for granted, hummingbirds see them for the treat they are. Another annual hummingbird plant that has been in gardens for generations is flowering tobacco or nicotiana.

  Hardiness: varies by species; ranges from zone 5 to 10
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: spring through fall

  This plant works welling in containers. 

• 09
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Snapdragon flowers only snap shut on children’s fingers—a fact that generally delights them. Hummingbirds can navigate them with ease. Snapdragons are cool-season bloomers, attracting the first hummers to visit your garden and making an encore at the end of the season.

  Bleeding heart (Dicentra species) are equally charming to both gardener and hummingbird and, like snapdragons, they prefer cool spring weather.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 8 to 9
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: prefers the cool seasons of spring and fall

  This plant works welling in containers.  

• 10
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Weigela is making a big comeback after being written off as a stuffy old shrub. New varieties have colorful and/or cut-leaf foliage, giving them a long season of interest. Most also have flowers with the tubular shape favored by hummingbirds.

  Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is an even earlier bloomer, and butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) will bloom throughout most of the summer, (Note, buddleia has become invasive in some areas.)

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade ​
  Bloom Period: late spring/ early summer

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. Butterflybush. University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

Best Plants To Attract Hummingbirds 💡 Gardening | EN.HomeInteriorz.com

Hummingbird Plants

Seeing the birds swaying in your garden is as good as seeing your flowers bloom. In order to attract hummingbirds and bring them back to your garden regularly, you will need to include a few hummingbirds in your design. What makes a plant a hummingbird’s favorite? It should be nectar and preferably tubular. The following pages feature 10 hummingbird plants that match the bill. Plants with an asterisk (*) are great for containers or hanging baskets.

Agastache

There are many varieties of Agastache and all are high in nectar. Agastache rupestris , shown here, is part of a group called the Hummingbird mint. They are also magnetic butterflies.

More frontier plants that are open invitations to hummingbirds are bee balm (Monarda hybrids) which also lives up to its name and attracts hive bees as well as flower towers, Delphinium, Hollyhawks and Foxgloves.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 – 10
Exposure : Full sun to partial shade
Flowering Period: Summer to Fall

Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis)

Cardinal Flowers are a great choice for adding drama to a shady corner. Hummingbirds can see their bright red flowers no matter where you stick them. And they are native plants in many areas.

Another planting choice, also excellent for partial shade, is columbine red. The red columbine is so sweet, children often compete with hummingbirds by pulling flowers for that precious drop of nectar.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 2 – 9
Exposure : Full sun to partial shade (requires more shade in dry areas)
Flowering Period: Summer to Fall

9005 3 Coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea)

Who would have thought that delicate coral bell flowers would be large enough to attract hummingbirds? Coral bells are a favorite of hummingbirds, but they only bloom once a season, and many gardeners cut them off to put energy into the plant’s leaves. If you want hummers to visit you, let them bloom.

There are many great perennials that will keep your hummingbirds happy. Choose a Hosta with beautiful flowers like sweet scent Hosta plantaginea . Or try one of those long blouses, Lupins, Larkspur and Liatris.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 – 8
Exposure : Full sun to partial shade O’Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)

Four O’Clocks don’t open until late at night, but it’s worth the wait. Their tubular flowers are perfect for visiting hummingbirds.

If you want to get an early start, morning glory ( Ipomoea tricolor ) open with the sun and stay open until the midday heat. They also re-harvest easily on their own, so although they are annuals, you often have to plant them once.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 – 11
Exposure : Full sun
Flowering period: Midsummer

* fuchsia

There are over 100 types of fuchsia. Most are tropical or semi-tropical and are grown as annuals in many areas. The final varieties are perfect for hanging baskets and can attract a lot of visitors wherever you hang them.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 – 9
Impact : Partial shade
Flowering period: Midsummer to autumn

* Lantana (Lantana Camara)

Lantana was one of those plants that our readers recommended starting gardeners. This is an amazing plant, and if you happen to grow it in USDA Zone 8, you can grow it in a shrub or even a standard size small tree. The rest of us can still enjoy this annual. It’s also good in containers.

For those in cooler climates, try Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), also a woody shrub that can learn to become a small tree and bloom for weeks on end.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 9 – 11
Exposure : Full Sun
Flowering Period: Summer to Fall

* Petunia

Who hasn’t grown petunias? This is a garden item. Flowers are also the perfect form for a hummingbird dinner. Some of the newer varieties are not particularly aromatic and may not have as much nectar as the older, inexperienced varieties, but give them a try.

Petunias are natural creepers and are often used in hanging baskets. If you need a longer vine for trailing or climbing, some good options include * Canary Creeper ( Tropaeolum peregrinum ), * Cardinal Vine / Cypress Vine ( Ipomoea sloteri ) and the fast growing Scarlet Runner bean.

Hardiness: annual
Exposure : Full sun
Flowering period: Spring through autumn

* Savlia (Salvia varieties)

New Salvia cultivars are constantly being introduced and are great for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your gardens. Whether the cartoon blues ( Salvia farinacea ), the “Black and Blue” Anise Sage ( Salvia guaranitica ) or the scarlet lady in red, these hummingbird plants will be blue almost non-stop throughout the season.

Although gardeners may take *Impatiens for granted, hummingbirds see them for pleasure. Another annual hummingbird plant that has been in gardens for generations is tobacco blossom or Nicotiana.

Hardiness: annual
Exposure : Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Spring through autumn

* Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) 90 004

The Snapdragon flowers just snapped onto children’s fingers. Hummingbirds can easily navigate them. Snapdragons are cool seasonal bloomers, attracting the first hummers to visit your garden and make an end-of-season encore.

Bleeding Heart ( Dikantra ) are equally charming to gardeners and hummingbirds alike and, like snapdragons, prefer cool spring weather.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 – 9
Exposure : Full sun to partial shade
Flowering Period: Prefer cool seasons in spring and fall Weigela (Weigela varieties)

Weigela makes great a comeback after being written off as stuffy old bush. New cultivars have colorful and/or cut leafy foliage, giving them a long season of interest. Most also have tubular-shaped flowers, which are favored by hummingbirds.

Blooming quince (Chaenomeles speciosa ) is an even earlier bloom, for an early bird and butterfly shrub ( Buddleia davidii ) will bloom through most of the summer, [Note that buddleia has become invasive in some areas.]

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 – 9
Exposure : Full sun to partial shade
Flowering Period: Late spring/early summer Best Choice 💡 Gardening | EN.HomeInteriorz.com

• 10 colors commonly used to attract hummingbirds:
• Best choice among herbaceous perennial flowers
• Best choice among shrubs, vineyards and trees
• Butterfly and hummingbird landscape plan

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For those who like gardening , and bird watching, it is fortunate that there are so many plants to attract hummingbirds from which to choose. Birdwatchers wishing to paint these nectar-colored beauties need not sacrifice the beauty of the landscape. This is one of those happy coincidences in life: many of the plants skillfully attract our note is also considered one of the best colors for painting hummingbirds craving the food they carry.

The variety of plants to attract hummingbirds is so great that in the process of creating a hummingbird garden you can also build a landscape that speaks volumes about the area. When choosing flowers for such gardens, you are not limited to using red flowers, although the color red is known for drawing the attention of these winged wonders. In the following list of colors commonly used to attract hummingbirds, you’ll see a variety of red flowers, as well as flowers in purple, white, orange, pink, and blue. They are all rich in nectar, food for hummingbirds par excellence .

Also, don’t select plants suitable for your hummer garden solely on the flower. Plants have many other qualities that make them more or less compatible with your specific wants and needs. Take advantage of the variety of plant types available at your local garden center so you can achieve a well-rounded landscape.

Annuals and perennials, vines, shrubs, trees, bedding and hanging plants: you can choose from all of these categories when choosing flowers to attract hummingbirds. The following are some criteria to consider when choosing plants (besides the obvious, being able to bring hummers into your yard):

1. Variety: To increase the landscaping options, I deliberately chose different sizes, shapes, etc.
2. Vibrant bloom.
3. Easy maintenance and fit.
4. Color selection inside the view.
5. Foliage appeal.
6. Early flowering or long flowering period.

10 colors commonly used to attract hummingbirds:

1. Bee Balm
2. Columbine Red
3. Dolphin and Hollyhock
4. Bush Butterfly (in some cases invasive)
5. Katwa Rhododendron
6. Rose of Sharon
7. Trumpet Vine, Tube Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle (all unfortunately aggressive and/or invasive)
8. Cardinal vine
9. Lantana and fuchsia
10. Silk tree (unfortunately invasive)

Best choice among herbaceous perennials

These 10 plants do not rank in competitive order, but rather are organized in greenery groups: i. e., according to how they are used in landscape. We start with three herbaceous plants suitable for perennial beds. Later we will look at shrubs and vines most suitable for attracting hummingbirds before I conclude with observations of two hanging plants and a tree suitable for a hummingbird garden.

Long flowering perennial, bee balm ( Monarda didyma ) is an excellent choice for USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9. This member of the mint family blooms red or light purple and loves soil that is slightly acidic.

Red kolbbin ( Aquilegia canadense ) is a perennial flower for zones 2-8 and an early flower that is adept at attracting hummingbirds that are just beginning to return north from their winter homes.

Delphinium and hollyhock are two traditional favorites in perennial beds, both of which provide food for hummingbirds. The significance of these two plants in landscape design certainly comes in part from the heights they reach. Some delphiniums can be grown in zones 2-9 and often grow to 5 feet or more. Hollyhawks ( Alcea ) often outgrow even delphiniums and are hardy to zone 3. Technically biennial, homemade hollyhawks are so easy that they are usually handled as if they were perennials. Both delphiniums and hollyhocks come in a variety of colors and, thanks to their majestic stature, are an excellent choice to form the back row of a tiered perennial bed.

The best choice among shrubs, vineyards and trees

The shrub that was the main place in the hummingbird gardens is the butterfly bush ( Buddleja davidii ). The butterfly bush can reach 6-12 feet in height and have a spread of 4-15 feet in warm climates. This is too large for some growers (especially those with small yards), so consider cutting it to the ground in late winter or early spring. It will re-emerge from its root system.

If you need an extra incentive to prune your butterfly shrub, be aware that the flowers tend to be larger and more prolific on the butterfly’s new growth. You essentially want to treat the butterfly bush as if it were an herbaceous perennial, not a shrub. Flowers on butterfly bushes can be purple, pink, white, or red, and they usually have an orange “throat” in the center. Grow these shrubs in zones 5-10. Unfortunately, the butterfly bush is now considered an invasive plant in some areas, including the Pacific Northwest. A new variety called “Blue Chip” was touted as a non-invasive alternative.

Catawba rhododendrons ( Rhododendron catawbiense ) are broad-leaved evergreen shrubs with dark green, leathery foliage and showy flowers in spring that are effective in attracting hummingbirds. This rhododendron shrub is easy to transplant, but requires acidic soil. The flowers can be white, lavender, pink or red, which hummingbirds love to find in the garden. Katuba rotodendron bushes can reach a height of 6-8 feet with a spread of 4-6 feet. Rhododendron display is most effective when rhododendron bushes are clustered together. Warning: This shrub is toxic – do not let children ingest any parts of the plant. Zones 4-8.

Rose of Sharon ( Hibiscus syriacus ) is a late flowering shrub with an upright habit that can reach a height of 8-10 feet with a spread of 4-6 feet. These shrubs benefit from pruning. Flowers can be red, pink, blue or white. They work well in shrub borders. Zones 5-9.

Trumpet vine ( Campcy radicans ) produces orange or reddish-orange salmon flowers during most of the summer months.

Zones 4-9. Give him a gazebo, trellis or fence and let her climb! This vigorous vine plant needs to be pruned to keep it “within the bounds”. Indeed, even in the southeastern US state (to which it is native), this vine is sometimes considered a weed. This vine can be too aggressive for many gardeners, so don’t grow it unless you want it to pop up all over your yard.

Meanwhile, honeysuckle Magnifica ( Lonicera sempervirens “Magnifica”) with large scarlet flowers that attract hummingbirds can be grown in zones 3-9. Unlike the pipe vine, this plant is a true slider, which means that it takes a bit more maintenance to get it up on the trellis, thus achieving the maximum display effect. Lonicera sempervirens is sometimes called “honeysuckle trumpeter” so don’t confuse it with pipevine. Both may have “trumpet” in their common names, but as you can see from their scientific names, they are two completely different plants. Japanese honeysuckle (or Hall’s honeysuckle) is prized for its tricolor flower show.

As the name suggests, the cardinal vine ( Ipomoea x multifida ) has a striking red bloom. The cardinal vine should be considered an annual zone 6 north. Do not confuse this plant with the “cardinal flower” ( Lobelia cardinalis ), perennials (zones 2-7) which also attract hummingbirds. Because it likes moist soil, Lobelia cardinalis is an excellent choice for a water garden rim.

These vines and shrubs are essential for those who want to combine efficient landscaping with the hobby of watching hummingbirds or butterflies. Bushes can be used as structural elements to form a border to separate two properties. They can be similarly used on your own property to define separate open spaces. Even a driveway can be transformed from a complex landscape component into an aesthetic achievement if limited to attractive bushes. A vine-lined gazebo can also be an important structural element of a landscape, providing it with a focal point.

Lantana plants ( Lantana Camara ), sometimes confusingly called “vervain bushes”, are perennials in zones 8-10. But in colder climates, lanthanum plants are more commonly used as annuals for hanging baskets. ‘Sunset Blooming’ has a flower with golden centers surrounded by orange, which later fades to pink. Like most entries listed so far, lanthanum plants are sun lovers. For landscapers looking for shade-loving substitutes, fuchsia hangers are the answer. The latter attract hummingbirds, while lantana plants are especially favored by butterflies.

I also mentioned tree which attracts hummingbirds. The silk tree, or “mimosa” ( Albizia julibrissin ), is a member of the pea family. At the southern end of its range, this vigorous exotic plant (from China) naturalizes quickly in areas disturbed by humans. As such, it is often seen as an invasive pest in the southeastern United States, for example; exercise caution. But its plump pink flowers are fragrant, and its nectar attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Zones 6-9.

Butterfly and Hummingbird Landscape Plan

When drawing up a landscape plan to determine what is going on in a new landscape design, landscape designers divide the property into “activity zones”. For hummingbird and butterfly watchers, these activity areas should focus on viewing hummingbirds and butterflies as they feed on your plant nectar. It is with this in mind that I have put so much variety into this Top 10 list. Different types of plants will perform different functions on our butterfly and hummingbird landscape:

• Selected vine plants must be allowed to grow on arbors for maximum impact. Position the gazebo in your landscape plan so you can watch hummingbirds and butterflies from a window inside your home.
• Selected shrub plants can be gathered at the border to form sheltered areas for your winged creatures. Breaking up a large flat space is an important consideration – not just for landscaping in general, but especially when trying to attract wildlife.
• Draw a patio in your plan for placing your chosen hanging plants. Imagine having a coffee on your patio and seeing a beautiful butterfly or hummingbird on a hanging plant right in front of you or above you! If your patio will be shaded, use fuchsia hangers rather than lantana. It is often convenient to combine patios and gazebos as the gazebo will give you a place from which to hang your patio hanging plants.
• The plants mentioned at the beginning of the article are intended for perennial flower beds. This will be the final touch to your landscape, which will be implemented at the very end.