Attract More Hummingbirds with These 15 Shrubs

Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating and delightful birds. With their iridescent feathers and ability to hover in mid-air, they are truly a sight to behold. If you're a bird lover, you probably want to attract hummingbirds to your yard. One great way to do this is by planting shrubs that hummingbirds love. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best shrubs for attracting these tiny birds.

The Best Shrubs for Hummingbirds

1. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

Butterfly bushes are known for their long, cone-shaped clusters of flowers that come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and white. They bloom from summer through fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bushes prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back in early spring to encourage new growth and more blooms.

2. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Cardinal flowers are native to North America and are named for their bright red flowers that resemble the robes worn by Catholic cardinals. They bloom from mid-summer to early fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flowers prefer partial shade and moist soil. They can grow up to 4 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

3. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

Fuchsias are known for their unique, pendulous flowers that come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and red. They bloom from spring through fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Fuchsia

Fuchsias prefer partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 3 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage branching and more blooms.

4. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Trumpet vines are known for their showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of orange and red. They bloom from summer through fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vines prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 30 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back in early spring to keep them under control.

5. Weigela (Weigela spp.)

Weigelas are known for their trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of pink, red, and white. They bloom from late spring through early summer and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Weigela

Weigelas prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back after they bloom to encourage new growth and more blooms.

6. Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.)

Bottlebrushes are known for their cylindrical clusters of flowers that resemble a bottlebrush. They come in shades of red, pink, and white and bloom from late spring through summer. They are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Bottlebrush

Bottlebrushes prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 20 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back after they bloom to encourage new growth and more blooms.

7. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Coral honeysuckles are native to North America and are known for their tubular, coral-colored flowers. They bloom from late spring through summer and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Coral Honeysuckle

Coral honeysuckles prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 20 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back after they bloom to encourage new growth and more blooms.

8. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Rose of Sharons are known for their large, showy flowers that come in shades of pink, purple, and white. They bloom from mid-summer through fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharons prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back in early spring to encourage new growth and more blooms.

9. Abelia (Abelia spp.)

Abelias are known for their fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of pink, white, and lavender. They bloom from late spring through fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Abelia

Abelias prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back in early spring to encourage new growth and more blooms.

10. Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)

Red buckeyes are native to the southeastern United States and are known for their showy, red flowers. They bloom from late winter through early spring and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Red Buckeye

Red buckeyes prefer partial shade and moist soil. They can grow up to 20 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back after they bloom to encourage new growth and more blooms.

11. Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.)

Beautyberries are known for their clusters of bright purple berries that form in the fall. They also have small, pink or white flowers in the summer that are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Beautyberry

Beautyberries prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 6 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back in early spring to encourage new growth and more blooms.

12. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

Mountain laurels are native to the eastern United States and are known for their clusters of pink or white flowers. They bloom in late spring and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurels prefer partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 15 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back after they bloom to encourage new growth and more blooms.

13. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia spp.)

Red hot pokers are known for their spikes of tubular flowers that come in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They bloom from summer through fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Red Hot Poker

Red hot pokers prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 5 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Cut back the spent flower spikes to encourage more blooms.

14. Sage (Salvia spp.)

Sages are known for their spikes of tubular flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. They bloom from late spring through fall and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Sage

Sages prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 3 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

15. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

Azaleas are known for their showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and white. They bloom from late spring through early summer and are a favorite of hummingbirds.

How to Grow Azalea

Azaleas prefer partial shade and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space for them. Prune them back after they bloom to encourage new growth and more blooms.

By planting these 15 shrubs, you can attract more hummingbirds to your yard and enjoy their beauty and grace. Remember to provide plenty of food and water for the birds, as well as shelter from predators. With a little effort, you can create a hummingbird haven in your own backyard.

FAQs

Q: How often do I need to water these shrubs?

A: It depends on the shrub and your climate. As a general rule, most shrubs prefer moist but well-drained soil. Water them deeply once a week during dry spells.

Q: Do I need to fertilize these shrubs?

A: Again, it depends on the shrub and your soil. Most shrubs benefit from an annual application of balanced fertilizer in the spring.

Q: Will these shrubs attract other birds besides hummingbirds?

A: Yes, many of these shrubs are also attractive to other birds, such as butterflies and songbirds.

Q: Can I plant these shrubs in containers?

A: Yes, many of these shrubs can be grown in containers, but make sure the container is large enough to accommodate the plant's root system.

Q: Are these shrubs deer-resistant?

A: Some of these shrubs are deer-resistant, but others may be susceptible to deer browsing. Check with your local nursery or garden center for advice on deer-resistant plants.