Hummingbirds' Favorite Flowers: A Guide to Attracting These Colorful Birds to Your Garden

The Importance of Choosing the Right Flowers for Hummingbirds

Have you ever seen a hummingbird up close? These tiny birds are truly a wonder of nature. With their iridescent feathers and lightning-fast flight, they captivate our imagination and inspire us to create beautiful gardens that can attract them. But what are the best flowers for hummingbirds? In this guide, we'll explore some of the most popular options and discuss why they're such an important part of a hummingbird-friendly garden.

1. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)

Appearance and Characteristics

Red hot pokers are native to South Africa and are known for their long, slender spikes of flowers that range from yellow to orange-red. They grow up to 5 feet tall and bloom in late spring or early summer.

How to Grow

These plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They're also drought-tolerant, which makes them a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. To attract hummingbirds, plant your red hot pokers in groups of three or more.

2. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Appearance and Characteristics

Bee balm is a perennial herb that grows up to 4 feet tall. Its flowers are usually bright pink, but can also be red, purple, or white. The leaves have a minty fragrance and can be used to make tea.

How to Grow

Bee balm prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for attracting bees and butterflies.

3. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Appearance and Characteristics

Cardinal flower is a North American native with bright red flowers that bloom in late summer. The flowers are tubular and attract hummingbirds with their nectar-rich petals.

How to Grow

Cardinal flower prefers moist soil and partial shade. It's also a great choice for rain gardens and other wetland areas.

4. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Salvia is a large genus of plants that includes many species with showy flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or red. Some of the most popular species for hummingbirds include scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) and Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha).

How to Grow

Most salvias prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They're also drought-tolerant and can tolerate some heat and humidity.

5. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Appearance and Characteristics

Trumpet vine is a woody vine that can grow up to 30 feet tall. Its bright orange-red flowers bloom in mid-summer and attract hummingbirds with their nectar.

How to Grow

Trumpet vine prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's also a vigorous grower, so be sure to provide it with plenty of space to spread out.

6. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Fuchsia is a popular garden plant that's native to South America. Its pendulous flowers come in shades of pink, red, purple, or white and attract hummingbirds with their nectar.

How to Grow

Fuchsia prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for hanging baskets and other containers.

7. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Columbine is a woodland plant that's native to North America. Its flowers are usually bi-colored and feature long spurs that contain nectar.

How to Grow

Columbine prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for rock gardens and other naturalistic settings.

8. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Penstemon is a large genus of plants that includes many species with showy flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or red. Some of the most popular species for hummingbirds include beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) and firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii).

How to Grow

Most penstemons prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They're also drought-tolerant and can tolerate some heat and humidity.

9. Lantana (Lantana camara)

Appearance and Characteristics

Lantana is a tropical shrub that's native to Central and South America. Its flowers come in shades of pink, orange, yellow, or red and are arranged in clusters.

How to Grow

Lantana prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for hot, dry areas.

10. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Zinnia is a popular garden plant that's native to Mexico. Its flowers come in a wide range of colors, from white to pink to red to orange to yellow to purple.

How to Grow

Zinnia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for cutting gardens and other areas where you want to bring some color indoors.

11. Petunia (Petunia spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Petunia is a popular garden plant that's native to South America. Its flowers come in shades of pink, purple, red, or white and are trumpet-shaped.

How to Grow

Petunia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for containers and hanging baskets.

12. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Honeysuckle is a woody vine that's native to North America and Eurasia. Its flowers are usually fragrant and attract hummingbirds with their nectar.

How to Grow

Honeysuckle prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for trellises and other vertical structures.

13. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Milkweed is a group of plants that are essential for the survival of monarch butterflies. Their flowers come in shades of pink, purple, or white and are nectar-rich.

How to Grow

Milkweed prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for butterfly gardens and other naturalistic settings.

14. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.)

Appearance and Characteristics

Bleeding heart is a woodland plant that's native to Asia and North America. Its flowers are usually pink or white and have a distinctive heart shape.

How to Grow

Bleeding heart prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for woodland gardens and other naturalistic settings.

15. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Appearance and Characteristics

Black-eyed Susan is a wildflower that's native to North America. Its flowers are usually yellow with a dark center and attract hummingbirds with their nectar.

How to Grow

Black-eyed Susan prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's also a great choice for meadows and other naturalistic settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best time of day to see hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, when the temperature is cooler and the nectar flow is higher. You can also try putting out feeders in the evening to attract them.

2. How do I know if a flower is nectar-rich?

Look for flowers that are tubular or trumpet-shaped, as these are more likely to contain nectar. You can also observe which flowers are attracting hummingbirds in your garden and use this as a guide.

3. Can I plant non-native flowers for hummingbirds?

While it's best to choose native plants whenever possible, there are many non-native flowers that can also attract hummingbirds. Just make sure they're not invasive and won't harm local ecosystems.

4. How often should I change my hummingbird feeder?

Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned and refilled with fresh nectar every 2-3 days, especially during hot weather. This will prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungus.

5. What can I do if I don't have a garden?

You can still attract hummingbirds by putting up feeders in your yard or balcony. Just make sure to clean them regularly and use fresh nectar.