Imagine a kaleidoscope of vibrant flowers buzzing with life. Tiny, iridescent wings blur as feathered jewels flit from bloom to bloom, their long beaks sipping nectar with remarkable agility. This enchanting scene can be your reality by incorporating flowers that attract hummingbirds into your garden design.
Hummingbirds, these aerial acrobats, are captivating creatures. Their rapid wing beats allow them to hover in mid-air, extracting sweet nectar from blossoms. But with a multitude of flower options available, which ones will truly entice these dazzling visitors?
This guide unveils 18 of the most stunning and hummingbird-approved flowers, transforming your garden into a vibrant haven for these mesmerizing marvels of nature.
Dazzling Annuals for a Season-Long Hummingbird Spectacle
Annuals offer a quick and easy way to attract hummingbirds, bursting into vibrant bloom within a single season. Here are some captivating choices:
Trumpet Honeysuckle
This vigorous vining plant boasts clusters of long, trumpet-shaped flowers in red, orange, or yellow. Hummingbirds adore their sweet nectar, and the vine’s twining nature makes it ideal for trellises or fences.
Bonus: Honeysuckle boasts a delightful fragrance that will add another layer of sensory delight to your garden.
Impatiens
These shade-loving beauties come in a dazzling array of colors, from classic pinks and purples to vibrant bi-colors. Their single or double blooms boast a pouch-like shape, perfect for hummingbirds to sip from.
Plus: Impatiens are low-maintenance, making them ideal for busy gardeners.
Cardinal Flower
This striking annual features tall, slender stems adorned with clusters of fiery red, tubular flowers. The vibrant color is a hummingbird magnet, and the long, tubular shape allows for easy nectar access.
Interesting fact: Cardinal flowers prefer moist soil, so consider planting them near a pond or stream for added visual appeal.
Perennial Powerhouses for Long-Lasting Hummingbird Magic
Perennials offer a cost-effective and sustainable way to attract hummingbirds year after year. These resilient beauties return season after season, providing a steady stream of nectar for your feathered friends.
Columbine
These delicate, nodding flowers come in a spectrum of colors, including pink, purple, white, and yellow. Their long, spurred petals form a nectar-rich haven for hummingbirds.
Did you know? Columbine thrives in cooler temperatures, making them a perfect choice for gardeners in regions with mild summers.
Bee Balm
This fragrant perennial boasts clusters of vibrant red, pink, or purple blooms. Hummingbirds are drawn to their sweet scent and readily accessible nectar.
Pollinator Paradise: Bee balm not only attracts hummingbirds but also plays host to a variety of other pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Coral Bells
While not the most traditional hummingbird flower, the delicate, bell-shaped blooms of coral bells offer a delightful nectar source. Plus, their vibrant foliage adds a touch of year-round color to your garden.
Versatility is key: Coral bells come in a wide variety of foliage colors, allowing you to create a stunning textural contrast with other flowering plants.
Embrace the Uniqueness of Native Plants
Native plants offer a sustainable and ecologically-friendly way to attract hummingbirds. These beauties are perfectly adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, attracting not only hummingbirds but also the insects they prey on.
Red Buckeye
This stunning flowering tree boasts clusters of vibrant red blooms in the early spring. Hummingbirds adore the nectar-rich blossoms, while the tree itself provides valuable nesting sites for other bird species.
Food for Thought: Red buckeye is toxic to humans and pets, so plant it in a location where children and animals won’t be tempted to ingest the seeds or leaves.
Trumpet Creeper
This vigorous vine produces clusters of bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers throughout the summer. Hummingbirds find the nectar irresistible, and the vine’s climbing nature makes it ideal for fences, walls, or pergolas.
Caution: Trumpet creeper can be quite aggressive, so be sure to plant it in a location where it can be easily controlled.
Firebush
This vibrant shrub boasts clusters of tubular orange flowers that bloom throughout the summer and attract a variety of pollinators.
Shrubs and Vines for a Vertical Feast
Shrubs and vines offer a space-saving solution for attracting hummingbirds, adding vertical interest and a continuous supply of nectar.
Butterfly Bush
his popular shrub lives up to its name, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds alike. Its clusters of fragrant, purple, pink, or white flowers provide a bountiful nectar source throughout the summer.
Easy Care: Butterfly bushes are low-maintenance and relatively pest-resistant, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners.
Weigela
These colorful shrubs boast clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of shades, including pink, red, yellow, and white. Hummingbirds find the nectar irresistible, and the long bloom period adds to their appeal.
Double Duty: Weigela shrubs not only attract hummingbirds but also provide beautiful spring and early summer color for your garden.
Honeysuckle Vine
This fragrant vine produces clusters of tubular white or yellow flowers throughout the summer. Hummingbirds adore the sweet nectar, and the vine’s twining nature makes it ideal for trellises, arbors, or fences.
Beware: While Japanese honeysuckle is a hummingbird magnet, it can be invasive in some areas. Check with your local gardening authority before planting.
Trees for a Majestic Touch and Hummingbird Haven
Trees can provide a majestic focal point in your garden while also attracting hummingbirds. Here are a few captivating choices:
Red Mulberry
his fast-growing tree produces clusters of small, white flowers in the spring. Hummingbirds find the nectar irresistible, and the tree’s leaves provide valuable food for butterflies and caterpillars.
Bonus: The red mulberry produces delicious, edible fruits that you and the birds can enjoy.
Flowering Crabapple
These ornamental trees boast a breathtaking display of pink or white flowers in the spring. Hummingbirds are drawn to the nectar, and the crabapples themselves add a touch of whimsical charm to your garden.
Pollinator Paradise: Flowering crabapple trees are a magnet for pollinators, attracting not only hummingbirds but also bees and butterflies.
Chalice Vine
This unique vine produces clusters of bright orange, lantern-shaped flowers throughout the summer. Hummingbirds are drawn to the unusual shape and readily available nectar.
Conversation Starter: The chalice vine’s unusual blooms are sure to spark curiosity and become a talking point in your garden.
Beyond the Bloom: Creating a Hummingbird Paradise
While the right flowers are essential, creating a hummingbird haven involves more than just planting. Here are some additional tips:
- Provide Shelter: Hummingbirds appreciate a safe haven from predators and harsh weather. Plant trees, shrubs, and tall perennials to create a windbreak and offer protected areas for them to rest.
- Consider a Water Feature: A small birdbath or fountain provides a vital source of hydration for hummingbirds. Moving water is even more attractive, as it mimics natural streams and springs.
- Minimize Pesticides: Insecticides not only kill harmful insects but also beneficial ones that hummingbirds eat. Opt for organic pest control methods whenever possible.
- Enjoy the Show! Sit back, relax, and observe the dazzling display of these feathered jewels flitting through your garden. You can even set up a hummingbird feeder filled with a sugar-water solution to further entice them.