Hummingbird plants are a popular choice for gardens because of their ability to attract the beautiful, hovering birds. But an important question when caring for hummingbird plants is whether they are a perennial or an annual plant. Knowing the difference between perennials and annuals can help you provide the right care for your hummingbird plants.
What is a Perennial Plant?
A perennial plant is one that lives for multiple years, often at least three years or more. Perennials go dormant in the winter and then regrow the next spring. Some examples of popular perennial garden plants include daylilies, hostas, peonies, iris, and many types of ornamental grasses.
There are several advantages to planting perennials in your garden:
- They return every year so you don’t have to replant.
- Over time they spread and mature, filling in an area with beautiful flowers or foliage.
- They are lower maintenance than annuals since they don’t need replanting.
- Many perennials are very hardy and can handle cold winters.
Some disadvantages of perennials include:
- They take 1-3 years to mature and fill in an area.
- Some perennials can spread aggressively and need dividing.
- Their blooming period is shorter than annuals.
What is an Annual Plant?
An annual plant completes its entire lifecycle in one growing season. Annuals germinate from seeds, grow, flower, set new seed, and die all within a single year. Some examples of popular annual flowers include petunias, marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos.
Here are some key advantages of planting annual flowers and plants:
- They provide color all season long with continuous blooms.
- You can change out plantings each year for variety.
- Annuals are often less expensive than perennials.
- They grow and fill in beds quickly with lush foliage.
Some potential disadvantages include:
- Annuals only last one growing season.
- They require replanting each spring.
- Some annuals reseed aggressively and become weedy.
- Annuals are less hardy and won’t survive cold winters.
Are Hummingbird Plants Perennials or Annuals?
When it comes to attracting hummingbirds to your garden, you can use a mix of both annual and perennial plants. Here are some examples of popular perennial hummingbird plants:
- Bee balm
- Butterfly bush
- Cardinal flower
- Columbine
- Coral bells
- Daylily
- Fuchsia
- Honeysuckle
- Penstemon
- Salvia
- Trumpet vine
These perennials live for many years and will come back reliably each spring. Plant these in beds and borders for long-lasting color that attracts hummingbirds.
Here are some examples of popular annual hummingbird plants:
- Nasturtium
- Petunia
- Zinnia
- Four o’clocks
- Nicotiana
- Morning glory
- Scarlet sage
- Verbena
These annuals will provide vibrant color in beds, containers, and hanging baskets throughout the entire growing season. Just be sure to replant them each year.
Key Tips for Planting Hummingbird Gardens
Here are some key tips to help you plan and plant a successful hummingbird garden:
- Use a mix of both perennials and annuals to provide season-long blooms.
- Choose tubular flowers in the red, orange, pink and purple color range that attract hummingbirds.
- Plant in groups of 3-5 or more plants together to create a bold impact.
- Provide continuous bloom by deadheading spent flowers.
- Situate feeders and flowering plants within view of windows so you can observe the hummingbirds.
- Avoid pesticides which can be harmful to hummingbirds visiting your garden.
- Supplement with hummingbird feeders and change the nectar frequently.
- Provide a water feature or mister for the hummingbirds to bathe and drink.
10 Best Perennial Hummingbird Plants
Here is a list of 10 of the top perennial plants that will attract hummingbirds to your garden year after year:
| Plant | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Bee Balm | Tubular red flowers in summer, attracts butterflies too, spreads readily |
| Butterfly Bush | Long blooming period, variety of flower colors, somewhat invasive |
| Cardinal Flower | Bright red blooms on tall spikes in summer |
| Columbine | Delicate red and yellow blooms in spring, grows 1-3 feet tall |
| Coral Bells | Dangling tubular pink-red blooms, attractive foliage |
| Daylily | Wide range of flower colors, reblooming varieties, divide clumps to encourage blooms |
| Fuchsia | Beautiful drooping flowers in hot colors, shade-loving |
| Honeysuckle | Vining plant, tubular red blooms with sweet nectar |
| Penstemon | Showy tubular flowers, variety of colors, attractive to bees too |
| Salvia | Long blooming spikes in red, pink or purple |
10 Top Annuals to Plant
Here is a list of 10 of the best annual flower plants for attracting hummingbirds during the growing season in your beds, pots and baskets:
| Plant | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Nasturtium | Trailing vine, edible flowers and leaves, bright red and yellow blooms |
| Petunia | Long blooming, variety of bright colors, cascading types for hanging baskets |
| Zinnia | Prolific blooms all season, bright colors including red and orange |
| Four o’clocks | Unusual tubular blooms open in afternoon, fragrant |
| Nicotiana | Fragrant tobacco-like blooms, flowers open in evening |
| Morning Glory | Vining annual, blue, purple and red blooms |
| Scarlet Sage | Dense spikes of vibrant red flowers |
| Verbena | Clusters of small red, purple and pink flowers |
| Lantana | Non-stop blooms in a variety of colors |
| Fuchsia | Beautiful drooping flowers in hot colors |
Provide Other Attractants
In addition to flowering plants, there are some other things you can provide to attract even more hummingbirds to your garden:
- Feeders – Offer at least 1-2 nectar feeders in your garden and keep them freshly filled. Place in a visible location.
- Fountains or Misters – Hummingbirds bathe and drink from moving water sources. A fountain or mister adds appeal.
- Shelter – Hummingbirds appreciate small trees, shrubs and trellises which provide protected perching areas.
- Native Plants – Include native plant species which hummingbirds rely on for food.
- Dead Trees – Snags provide ideal perching spots for the birds watching your garden.
With the right mix of plants, feeders and habitat, you can create an ideal oasis that will attract these tiny energetic birds all season long.
Conclusion
Hummingbird plants can include both perennials and annuals. Perennials such as bee balm, honeysuckle and salvia are long-lived plants that will come back each year. Annuals like nasturtium, zinnias and petunias must be replanted annually but provide constant color. Include a variety of tubular red, orange and pink flowering plants along with feeders and water sources to create an attractive habitat. With a little planning, you can enjoy the beauty and activity of hummingbirds flitting through your garden both this year and for years to come.
