20 Striking Flowers That Will Bring Hummingbirds Flocking to Your Garden
There’s something truly magical about hummingbirds. These tiny, colorful creatures flit around, buzzing from flower to flower with their rapid wingbeats and vibrant plumage. If you’re looking to invite more of these mesmerizing visitors into your garden, you’re in luck! By planting the right flowers, you can create a haven for hummingbirds that will keep them coming back year after year.
In this guide, we’ll explore 20 flowers that attract hummingbirds, detailing their ideal growing conditions, planting zones, and size. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these flowers will not only bring hummingbirds into your yard but will also brighten up your landscape with their stunning blooms.
1. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 4-9
Size: 2-4 feet tall
Bee balm, also known as monarda, is a favorite of hummingbirds thanks to its tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil and are perfect for partial shade to full sun. Bee balm can grow quite tall, making it ideal for the back of garden beds or as a striking focal point in a hummingbird garden.
2. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Partial shade, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 10-11 (treated as an annual in colder climates)
Size: 12-24 inches tall
Fuchsias are elegant, drooping flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible. The tubular blossoms, which can be pink, red, purple, or white, attract these birds for their nectar. Fuchsias thrive in partial shade and need well-drained soil. They’re perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and shaded garden spots.
3. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 4-9
Size: 15-40 feet long (vining)
Trumpet vine is a dramatic climber known for its large, trumpet-shaped orange or red flowers that hums love. It’s perfect for trellises, fences, or arbors, as its vining nature allows it to cover large spaces quickly. Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil to encourage the most prolific blooming. Keep in mind that this vine can grow vigorously and may require regular pruning to maintain its shape.
4. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 4-9
Size: 10-15 feet long (vining)
Coral honeysuckle produces tubular, trumpet-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow that are highly attractive to hummingbirds. This native vine is perfect for covering fences, trellises, or walls and thrives in both full sun and partial shade. Its fragrant blooms will bring hummingbirds flocking to your garden from spring through summer.
5. Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 3-11
Size: 12-36 inches tall
Salvia is a classic hummingbird favorite due to its tubular flowers, which come in various shades of red, purple, pink, and blue. Salvia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and its fragrant foliage also helps deter deer and pests. It’s an excellent plant for attracting pollinators and hummingbirds alike, especially in summer and fall.
6. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 3-9
Size: 1-3 feet tall
Penstemons are loved by hummingbirds for their tubular flowers, which come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. These plants are perfect for creating a low-maintenance hummingbird garden, as they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They’re drought-tolerant and will bloom for several weeks in late spring to early summer.
7. Lobelia (Lobelia spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 3-10
Size: 6-12 inches tall
Lobelia produces trailing, tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, or red that are irresistible to hummingbirds. These plants are perfect for hanging baskets, containers, or as a ground cover. Lobelia thrives in moist, well-drained soil and is suitable for both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile option for attracting hummingbirds to different parts of your garden.
8. Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 8-10
Size: 2-3 feet tall
This sage is named for its ability to attract hummingbirds. Its tubular flowers range from light pink to purple and are a favorite of these tiny creatures. Hummingbird sage is great for attracting pollinators and works well in full sun to partial shade, making it ideal for a variety of garden locations. It’s drought-tolerant once established and prefers well-drained soil.
9. Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 9-11 (treated as an annual in cooler climates)
Size: 1-2 feet tall
Heliotrope is an aromatic annual known for its small, tubular flowers that come in shades of purple, white, and pink. The flowers have a delightful fragrance that attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. Heliotropes thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and are perfect for containers or flower beds.
10. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 4-9
Size: 12-36 inches tall
Astilbe’s feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, or white attract hummingbirds to shady spots in your garden. This perennial thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate partial to full shade. Astilbe’s delicate flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, providing a nectar source for hummingbirds.
11. Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 10-11 (treated as an annual in cooler zones)
Size: 6-12 inches tall
Calibrachoa, often referred to as “million bells,” produces small, colorful flowers that hummer love. With blooms in shades of red, yellow, pink, purple, and white, these plants are perfect for containers and hanging baskets. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, providing a steady nectar source throughout the growing season.
12. Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 4-9
Size: 10-40 feet long (vining)
Trumpet creeper is another vine that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in orange or red. These bold blooms attract hummingbirds in droves and are perfect for climbing fences or arbors. The vine thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s known for its ability to quickly cover structures with its lush foliage and flowers.
13. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 5-9
Size: 2-5 feet tall
Red hot poker is a striking plant that produces tall spikes of tubular red or orange flowers. These flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, and the plant’s vibrant appearance adds drama to your garden. Red hot poker thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is ideal for creating vertical interest.
14. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 3-10
Size: 12-36 inches tall
Zinnias are hardy annuals with a range of colors, from bright red and pink to softer pastels. While they’re often appreciated by pollinators, their vibrant flowers also attract hummingbirds. Zinnias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and their long blooming season ensures a steady nectar supply for these tiny visitors.
15. Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 7-10
Size: 1-3 feet tall
Red salvia, with its bright red, tubular flowers, is a favorite of hummingbirds. It’s perfect for garden beds or containers and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. This plant is easy to grow and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, making it a great choice for attracting hummingbirds.
16. Hummingbird Mint (Agastache spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 5-10
Size: 1-4 feet tall
Hummingbird mint, also known as Agastache, produces spiky flowers in shades of purple, pink, orange, and blue. These flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, and the plant itself is drought-tolerant once established. Agastache thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for dry, sunny spots in your garden.
17. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 5-9
Size: 5-10 feet tall
Butterfly bush is known for attracting butterflies, but it’s also a favorite of hummingbirds. With long, fragrant flower spikes in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, butterfly bush is a must-have for any garden looking to draw in hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s perfect for creating a wildlife-friendly garden.
18. Verbena (Verbena spp.)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 8-11
Size: 6-12 inches tall
Verbena is a low-growing, spreading plant with clusters of small flowers in shades of purple, red, and pink. These plants are known to attract hummingbirds, especially when planted in containers or as ground cover. Verbena thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, providing a steady nectar source throughout the growing season.
19. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 2-11
Size: 3-6 feet tall
Sweet peas are fragrant annuals that produce colorful blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. These flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and can be grown as climbers or in containers. Sweet peas thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and will bloom throughout the growing season, attracting hummingbirds with their sweet nectar.
20. Canna Lily (Canna indica)
Sun & Soil Needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Planting Zones: 8-11
Size: 3-5 feet tall
Canna lilies are tropical plants known for their bold, colorful flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Hummingbirds are drawn to these striking blooms, which provide a good source of nectar. Cannas thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and can tolerate both wet and dry conditions.
Planting flowers that attract hummingbirds is a wonderful way to invite more wildlife into your garden. By choosing from this list of 20 stunning blooms, you can create a nectar-rich environment that will keep these tiny, colorful birds coming back year after year. Whether you’re working with full sun or partial shade, dry or moist soil, there’s a perfect plant for every corner of your garden.
Happy planting, and may your garden soon be buzzing with the delightful hum of these enchanting visitors!
