Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular, brightly colored flowers that provide nectar. There are many beautiful native and non-native plants that will attract hummingbirds to your Colorado garden. The key is providing a continuous bloom of hummingbird favorites from early spring through late summer.
Native Hummingbird Plants in Colorado
Here are some excellent native hummingbird plants for Colorado:
Columbine
Columbine (Aquilegia) is Colorado’s state flower for good reason – its spurred, colorful blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds. There are over 30 wild columbine species native to Colorado, ranging in color from red and yellow to blue and white. The flowers bloom in spring to early summer. Some good columbine species include:
- Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) – blue and white flowers
- Crimson Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) – red and yellow flowers
- Golden Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha) – yellow flowers
Indian Paintbrush
Indian paintbrush (Castilleja) blooms in late spring and summer, with brightly colored red, orange, pink or yellow flowers. Hummingbirds love visiting the tubular flowers for nectar. There are over 200 Castilleja species native to North America, with at least 9 species native to Colorado. Indian paintbrush thrives in open meadows, prairies and rocky foothills up to 12,000 feet elevation.
Firecracker Penstemon
Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) is a perennial wildflower that blooms prolifically with brilliant red tubular flowers in late spring. Hummingbirds flock to the nectar-rich blooms. Firecracker penstemon is native to rocky foothills, canyons and open meadows between 5,000 to 9,000 feet elevation in Colorado.
Autumn Sage
Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is an herbaceous perennial with scarlet red, tubular flowers that bloom from late summer into fall. The red blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds searching for food before migration. There are several autumn sage cultivars to choose from, such as ‘Furman’s Red’ and ‘Cherry Chief’. Autumn sage is native to the southwestern U.S. but thrives in Colorado gardens.
Scarlet Gilia
Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) is a biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower native to Colorado. In summer, it produces tall spikes covered in vivid scarlet-red, tubular flowers. Hummingbirds cannot resist the flower’s colorful display. Scarlet gilia grows between 4,000 to 11,000 feet elevation in rocky canyon slopes, cliffs and open woodlands.
Non-Native Hummingbird Plants
Here are some top non-native hummingbird plants to grow in Colorado:
Fuchsia
Fuchsia produce hundreds of drooping, tubular flowers in vivid colors like red, pink, purple from summer into fall. Hummingbirds love visiting the nectar-rich flowers. Some popular fuchsia varieties include ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’, ‘Delta’s Sarah’ and ‘Lena Corolla’. Grow fuchsia in a sunny or partly shaded spot with fertile, well-drained soil.
Petunia
Petunia are popular flowering annuals that produce colorful trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, yellow, white and more from early summer into fall. Hummingbirds enjoy visiting the nectar-rich blooms. Some petunia varieties that attract hummingbirds include ‘Supertunia Vista Bubblegum’, ‘Supercascade Burgundy’ and ‘Wave Purple’. Grow petunias in full sun and well-drained soil.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium are easy-to-grow annuals that produce masses of brightly colored, trumpet-shaped flowers and lily pad shaped leaves. The blooms come in shades of red, orange, yellow and cream and bloom spring through first frost. Hummingbirds love feeding on the abundant nectar. Nasturtium thrive in full sun and even poor quality soil. Plant seeds directly in the garden after the last frost.
Bee Balm
Bee balm (Monarda) produces dense clusters of tubular flowers in summer that attract hummingbirds with their red, pink, purple and white colors. Bee balm is a member of the mint family and thrives in sunny or partly shady spots. Popular bee balm varieties include ‘Jacob Cline’, ‘Raspberry Wine’ and ‘Pink Lace’. Make sure to plant in well-drained soil.
Lantana
Lantana is a heat and drought tolerant perennial that blooms continuously with clusters of small, tubular flowers from summer until frost. Flower colors include red, yellow, pink, orange and white. Butterflies and hummingbirds flock to lantana for its nectar. Grow lantana in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Provide afternoon shade in very hot climates.
How to Design a Hummingbird Garden
Follow these tips to create an attractive, productive hummingbird garden in Colorado:
- Plant a combination of both native and non-native hummingbird plants to provide nectar from spring through fall.
- Use clusters of the same plants together to better attract hummingbirds.
- Include plants with a range of flower colors like red, orange, pink and purple which hummingbirds find most attractive.
- Focus on tubular-shaped flowers with lots of nectar.
- Include trees, shrubs, vines and herbs along with flowering perennials and annuals to provide habitat.
- Provide a water feature such as a misting system, dripler, fountain or bird bath for drinking and bathing.
- Supplement with store-bought nectar especially during migration seasons.
- Avoid pesticides which can harm hummingbirds.
- Provide areas of dense flowering plants as well as open space for flight.
- Site the garden in a sunny location protected from wind.
- Include perches such as dead trees and trellises in the garden for resting.
When to Plant Hummingbird Gardens in Colorado
Here is a guide to planting times for hummingbird gardens in Colorado:
- Spring – Plant perennials, wildflower seeds, shrubs and trees. Plant cool weather annuals like pansies, snapdragons andprimrose.
- Late Spring to Early Summer – Plant warm season annuals and perennials after the last frost date such as petunia, salvia, bee balm and butterfly bush.
- Early Fall – Plant hardy perennials that enjoy cool weather like columbine, penstemon, fuchsia, and some wildflowers.
Aim to provide flowers from early spring into late fall by planting successive waves of blooming plants.
Where to Buy Plants for Hummingbird Gardens
You can find plants for your Colorado hummingbird garden from these recommended sources:
- Local garden centers and nurseries – Support local Colorado businesses selling plants adapted to your area.
- Native plant nurseries – Find a wide selection of Colorado native wildflowers, perennials, shrubs and trees.
- Botanical gardens – Many feature native plant sections and hold annual plant sales.
- Online nurseries – Order plants suitable for your zone that may be hard to find locally.
- Big box stores – Low cost annuals and common perennials good for filling in gaps.
- Neighbors and friends – Get divisions of hardy perennials and share plants.
- Seed catalogs – Order wildflower mixes for natural style plantings that self-sow.
Shop early in the season for the best selection. For natives, make sure the plants are nursery propagated, not dug from the wild.
Common Questions About Hummingbird Gardens in Colorado
What elevation is best for hummingbird gardens in Colorado?
Hummingbirds thrive between 5,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation in Colorado, where flowering plants bloom from spring to fall. The lower and mid elevations along the Front Range and intermountain parks and valleys provide excellent habitat.
What is the best soil for hummingbird gardens?
Hummingbird plants thrive in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Enrich poor soils with compost or manure before planting. Amend clay soils to improve drainage. Drip irrigation keeps plants thriving in hot, dry periods.
Should hummingbird feeders be kept out all winter?
In Colorado’s mild climates along the Front Range, keeping feeders out through winter provides an essential food source when flowers are gone. Use a nectar heating system to prevent freezing. In colder mountain climates, take down feeders by early November.
What elevation do hummingbirds migrate at in Colorado?
Most hummingbirds in Colorado migrate south along the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains between 5,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation. This allows them to take advantage of wildflower meadows for fueling up.
What plants do hummingbirds pollinate in Colorado?
Hummingbirds play a vital role in pollinating many native wildflowers, shrubs and vines in Colorado while collecting nectar. This includes columbine, Indian paintbrush, penstemon, honeysuckle, trumpet creeper and more. Their hovering behavior allows them to pollinate specialized flowers.
Conclusion
By landscaping with the favorite plants that hummingbirds rely on for food, you can create a beautiful garden that attracts these special birds. Include a range of native and non-native plants that provide nectar-filled, tubular blooms in colors that appeal to hummingbirds from spring through fall. With smart planning and planting, you’ll be rewarded with a lively hummingbird garden filled with wonder and activity.
