Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds

The Importance of Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures that can add beauty and excitement to any garden. Not only do they bring life to your yard, but they also help with pollination by transferring pollen from one plant to another. By attracting hummingbirds to your garden, you can create a healthier environment and promote biodiversity in your area.

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, planting the right flowers and plants is essential. Here are some of the best plants to attract hummingbirds:

1. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm is a popular plant for attracting hummingbirds because of its bright red or pink flowers. These flowers are rich in nectar, making them an irresistible treat for hummingbirds. Bee balm also has a long flowering season, which means that it will continue to attract hummingbirds throughout the summer.

How to Grow Bee Balm

Bee balm grows best in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist soil. It is relatively easy to grow from seed, although it can also be propagated by division. Bee balm can grow up to 4 feet tall and requires regular pruning to prevent it from becoming too leggy.

2. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

The cardinal flower is a native North American plant that is well-loved by hummingbirds. It produces spikes of bright red flowers that are rich in nectar. The cardinal flower prefers wet soil and is often found growing near streams and ponds.

How to Grow Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower grows best in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. The plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and should be cut back after flowering to encourage new growth.

3. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

The trumpet vine is a fast-growing vine that produces bright orange flowers that are shaped like trumpets. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds from far and wide. The trumpet vine is also a favorite of bees and butterflies.

How to Grow Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is a vigorous grower and can quickly become invasive if not kept in check. The plant can grow up to 30 feet tall, so it should be planted away from buildings and other structures.

4. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

Salvia is a genus of plants that includes many different species, all of which are attractive to hummingbirds. These plants produce spikes of tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue. Salvia is also a favorite of bees and other pollinators.

How to Grow Salvia

Salvia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. Some species of salvia can grow quite large, so it's important to choose the right variety for your space.

5. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

Fuchsias are popular garden plants that produce drooping flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red. These flowers are filled with nectar and are a favorite of hummingbirds. Fuchsias are also easy to care for and make great container plants.

How to Grow Fuchsia

Fuchsias prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown from seed or propagated by cuttings. Fuchsias are prone to root rot, so it's important not to overwater them.

6. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

The butterfly bush is a popular garden plant that produces long spikes of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and red. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

How to Grow Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bushes prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow quite large, so it's important to give them plenty of space. Butterfly bushes should be pruned in the spring to encourage new growth.

7. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

Honeysuckle is a climbing vine that produces fragrant flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and white. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to Grow Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by cuttings. Honeysuckle can become invasive, so it's important to keep it in check.

8. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)

Penstemon is a genus of plants that includes many different species, all of which are attractive to hummingbirds. These plants produce spikes of tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue.

How to Grow Penstemon

Penstemon prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. Some species of penstemon can grow quite large, so it's important to choose the right variety for your space.

9. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

Columbine is a popular garden plant that produces nodding flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and blue. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to Grow Columbine

Columbine prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. Columbine can self-seed and naturalize in the garden.

10. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)

Red hot poker is a bold and striking plant that produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds and bees.

How to Grow Red Hot Poker

Red hot poker prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. The plant can grow up to 5 feet tall and requires regular pruning to maintain its shape.

11. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)

Coral bells are a popular garden plant that produces spikes of tiny bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to Grow Coral Bells

Coral bells prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown from seed or propagated by division. Coral bells are also valued for their colorful foliage, which comes in shades of green, purple, and bronze.

12. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.)

Bleeding heart is a shade-loving plant that produces delicate heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to Grow Bleeding Heart

Bleeding heart prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. The plant goes dormant in the summer, so it's important not to mistake it for a dead plant.

13. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

Catmint is a popular garden plant that produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to Grow Catmint

Catmint prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. The plant has a long flowering season and requires regular pruning to prevent it from becoming too leggy.

14. Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

Beardtongue is a native North American plant that produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of white and light pink. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to Grow Beardtongue

Beardtongue prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. The plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and requires regular pruning to prevent it from becoming too leggy.

15. California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)

California fuchsia is a native California plant that produces bright red or orange-red flowers. These flowers are rich in nectar and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to Grow California Fuchsia

California fuchsia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It can be grown from seed or propagated by division. The plant is drought-tolerant and does not require much water.

Frequently Asked Questions About Attracting Hummingbirds

Q. What is the best way to attract hummingbirds to my garden?

A. Planting a variety of flowers and plants that are rich in nectar is the best way to attract hummingbirds to your garden. You should also provide a source of fresh water and avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your garden.

Q. What kind of feeder should I use to attract hummingbirds?

A. Hummingbirds prefer feeders that are red in color and have multiple feeding ports. Make sure to clean your feeder regularly and replace the nectar every few days.

Q. When is the best time to plant flowers for hummingbirds?

A. The best time to plant flowers for hummingbirds is in the spring, after the last frost. This will give your plants plenty of time to establish themselves before the hummingbirds arrive.

Q. How can I keep bees and wasps away from my hummingbird feeder?

A. Bees and wasps are attracted to the sugar water in hummingbird feeders. To keep them away, try placing the feeder in a shaded area or hanging it from a wire instead of a tree branch. You can also purchase bee guards that fit over the feeding ports.

Q. Can I attract hummingbirds if I live in an apartment or don't have a yard?

A. Yes! You can still attract hummingbirds by planting flowers in containers on your balcony or patio. You can also hang a hummingbird feeder outside your window.