Perennials for Hummingbirds: A Guide to Creating a Beautiful Garden

Do you love watching hummingbirds flit around your garden? If so, then you're probably already familiar with the importance of planting the right flowers to attract these beautiful birds. But did you know that perennials are some of the best plants to use for this purpose? Not only do they come back year after year, but they also offer a wide range of colors and shapes that will keep your hummingbird visitors coming back for more.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the best perennials for hummingbirds. We'll cover everything from the most popular species to lesser-known varieties that will add depth and interest to your garden. So if you're ready to create a beautiful space that's sure to attract plenty of hummingbirds, read on!

The Top Perennials for Hummingbirds

There are many different types of perennials that hummingbirds love, but here are some of the most popular:

1. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm is a colorful and fragrant perennial that's perfect for attracting hummingbirds. With its bright red or pink flowers, it's hard to miss in any garden. Not only does bee balm provide nectar for hungry hummingbirds, but it also attracts bees and butterflies.

How to Grow Bee Balm

Bee balm prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can grow up to four feet tall, so make sure to give it plenty of room to spread out. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooming throughout the season.

2. Salvia

Salvia is another popular perennial that hummingbirds love. With its long, tubular flowers in shades of red and purple, it's easy to see why. Salvia also comes in a variety of heights, from low-growing groundcovers to tall, stately plants.

How to Grow Salvia

Salvia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Depending on the variety, it can grow anywhere from six inches to five feet tall. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooming.

3. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia)

For a truly eye-catching addition to your garden, consider planting cardinal flower. With its vibrant red blooms, this perennial is hard to miss. It's also a favorite of hummingbirds, who love its long, tubular flowers.

How to Grow Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower prefers moist soil and partial shade. It can grow up to four feet tall and may need staking to keep it upright. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooming.

4. Penstemon

Penstemon, also known as beardtongue, is a tough and durable perennial that hummingbirds love. With its tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple, it's an attractive addition to any garden.

How to Grow Penstemon

Penstemon prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Depending on the variety, it can grow anywhere from one to four feet tall. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooming.

5. Columbine (Aquilegia)

Columbine is a delicate and graceful perennial that's loved by hummingbirds. Its unique flowers, with their backward-spurred petals, come in a range of colors, from pale pink to deep purple.

How to Grow Columbine

Columbine prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. It can grow up to three feet tall and may need staking to keep it upright. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooming.

Other Perennials for Hummingbirds

While the perennials we've listed above are some of the most popular for attracting hummingbirds, there are many other species to consider as well. Here are a few more options to explore:

1. Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflower is a tough and durable perennial that's loved by both hummingbirds and butterflies. With its bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, it's an attractive addition to any garden.

How to Grow Coneflower

Coneflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Depending on the variety, it can grow anywhere from one to four feet tall. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooming.

2. Liatris

Liatris, also known as blazing star or gayfeather, is a tall, upright perennial that's loved by hummingbirds. With its spikes of fluffy purple flowers, it's an unusual and striking addition to any garden.

How to Grow Liatris

Liatris prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can grow up to four feet tall and may need staking to keep it upright. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooming.

3. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle is a woody perennial vine that's loved by hummingbirds for its sweet nectar. With its fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and white, it's a beautiful addition to any garden.

How to Grow Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and may need support to climb. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooming.

Creating a Hummingbird Garden

To create a hummingbird garden that's sure to attract plenty of these beautiful birds, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips to help you get ed:

1. Choose a variety of perennials

As we've seen, there are many different types of perennials that hummingbirds love. To create a garden that's both attractive and functional, choose a variety of plants with different colors, shapes, and sizes.

2. Provide water and shelter

Hummingbirds need more than just nectar to thrive. They also need access to water for drinking and bathing, as well as shelter from the elements. Consider adding a bird bath or fountain to your garden, as well as trees or shrubs for nesting and roosting.

3. Avoid pesticides

Pesticides can be harmful to hummingbirds, as well as other beneficial insects. To create a healthy and safe environment for your garden visitors, avoid using pesticides whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What time of year do hummingbirds visit gardens?

A: Hummingbirds typically visit gardens in the spring and summer months, when flowers are in bloom and nectar is abundant.

Q: How do I attract hummingbirds to my garden?

A: To attract hummingbirds to your garden, plant a variety of perennials that they love, provide water and shelter, and avoid using pesticides.

Q: What colors are most attractive to hummingbirds?

A: Hummingbirds are most attracted to red, orange, and pink flowers, but they will also visit flowers in other colors as well.

Q: Can hummingbirds be kept as pets?

A: No, it is illegal to keep hummingbirds as pets. These birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Q: What should I do if I find an injured hummingbird?

A: If you find an injured hummingbird, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

Planting perennials that hummingbirds love is a great way to create a beautiful and functional garden. By choosing a variety of plants with different colors and shapes, providing water and shelter, and avoiding pesticides, you can attract plenty of these beautiful birds to your yard. So get planting, and enjoy the sight of these amazing creatures flitting around your garden!