The Ultimate Guide to Hummingbird-Friendly Flowers

Why Attracting Hummingbirds is Important

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures that add beauty and vitality to any garden. They are important pollinators and help keep the ecosystem in balance. However, due to habitat loss and climate change, the number of hummingbirds has been decreasing in recent years. One way to help is to attract them to your garden with hummingbird-friendly flowers.

What Makes a Flower Hummingbird-Friendly?

To attract hummingbirds, flowers need to have certain characteristics. They should be brightly colored, especially in red, orange, and pink shades, as hummingbirds are attracted to these colors. The flowers should also be tubular or trumpet-shaped, as this allows the hummingbirds to reach the nectar with their long beaks. Finally, the flowers should produce plenty of nectar, as this is the main source of food for hummingbirds.

15 Hummingbird-Friendly Flowers to Plant in Your Garden

1. Bee Balm

Bee balm (Monarda spp.) is a popular perennial flower that comes in shades of red, pink, and purple. It produces large clusters of tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. Bee balm blooms from midsummer to fall and grows well in full sun to partial shade.

2. Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a native wildflower that produces striking red tubular flowers. It blooms in late summer and prefers moist soil and partial shade.

3. Coral Honeysuckle

Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a vine that produces clusters of red, tubular flowers from spring to fall. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can be trained to climb trellises or fences.

4. Fuchsia

Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) is a popular hanging basket plant that produces pendulous, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red. It blooms from late spring to fall and prefers partial shade.

5. Geranium

Geranium (Pelargonium spp.) is a popular annual flower that comes in a range of colors, including red, pink, and white. It produces small, tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. Geraniums prefer full sun to partial shade and bloom from spring to fall.

6. Impatiens

Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) is an annual flower that comes in many colors, including red, pink, and orange. It produces small, tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. Impatiens prefer partial shade and bloom from spring to fall.

7. Lantana

Lantana (Lantana camara) is a shrub that produces clusters of small, tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, and yellow. It blooms from summer to fall and prefers full sun.

8. Petunia

Petunia (Petunia x hybrida) is a popular annual flower that comes in many colors, including red, pink, and purple. It produces small, tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. Petunias prefer full sun to partial shade and bloom from spring to fall.

9. Salvia

Salvia (Salvia spp.) is a popular perennial flower that comes in many colors, including red, pink, and purple. It produces long spikes of tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. Salvia prefers full sun and blooms from summer to fall.

10. Trumpet Creeper

Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) is a vine that produces clusters of orange-red, trumpet-shaped flowers in late summer. It prefers full sun and can climb trellises or fences.

11. Weigela

Weigela (Weigela florida) is a shrub that produces clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. It blooms in late spring and prefers full sun to partial shade.

12. Wild Bergamot

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a native wildflower that produces clusters of lavender-purple tubular flowers. It blooms from midsummer to fall and prefers full sun to partial shade.

13. Zinnia

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) is a popular annual flower that comes in many colors, including red, pink, and yellow. It produces small, tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. Zinnias prefer full sun and bloom from summer to fall.

14. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) is a shrub that produces large clusters of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It blooms from summer to fall and prefers full sun.

15. Columbine

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) is a perennial flower that comes in many colors, including red, pink, and blue. It produces tubular flowers with spurs that hummingbirds love. Columbines prefer partial shade and bloom in spring.

Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden

To maximize your chances of attracting hummingbirds, here are some tips:

1. Plant a variety of flowers.

Hummingbirds prefer a diverse diet, so plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times.

2. Provide water.

Hummingbirds need water for drinking and bathing, so provide a shallow dish of water or a fountain in your garden.

3. Avoid pesticides.

Pesticides can be harmful to hummingbirds, so avoid using them in your garden.

4. Hang a feeder.

If you want to supplement the natural nectar sources in your garden, hang a hummingbird feeder filled with sugar water.

5. Create perches.

Hummingbirds need places to rest between feeding, so provide some perches in your garden, such as small branches or twigs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hummingbirds are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so those are the best times to see them in your garden.

2. How often should I change the nectar in my hummingbird feeder?

You should change the nectar in your feeder every 2-3 days in hot weather and every 4-5 days in cooler weather to prevent it from spoiling.

3. Can I use honey instead of sugar to make hummingbird nectar?

No, you should never use honey to make hummingbird nectar, as it can cause a fungal infection in hummingbirds. Use plain white granulated sugar instead.

4. How do I clean my hummingbird feeder?

Clean your hummingbird feeder with hot water and a mild detergent, and rinse it thoroughly before refilling.

5. What should I do if a hummingbird gets trapped in my garage or house?

If a hummingbird gets trapped indoors, turn off all the lights and open a window or door. The hummingbird will usually fly towards the light and find its way out.