Hummingbirds are drawn to certain climbing vines due to the nectar they produce. When choosing vines that will attract hummingbirds to a garden, it’s important to select varieties that have tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers and bloom throughout the season. Some of the most popular climbing vines that hummingbirds love include trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, crossvine, trumpet creeper, and cypress vine.
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a fast growing perennial vine that produces large, orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. This vine thrives in full sun and climbs using aerial roots. Trumpet vine blooms throughout the summer and its bright orange flowers attract hummingbirds as well as butterflies and other pollinators. The trumpet-like shape of the flowers makes it easy for hummingbirds to access the nectar hidden inside. Trumpet vine can reach up to 40 feet in height and is an excellent choice for covering arbors, trellises, and fences.
Coral Honeysuckle
Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is another climbing vine that hummingbirds love. This honeysuckle variety has beautiful coral-red tubular flowers that bloom from early spring through late summer. The flowers attract hummingbirds with their bright color and supply of nectar. Coral honeysuckle is also a favorite of butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects. It’s a deciduous vine that can grow 10-20 feet tall. For the best flower production, plant coral honeysuckle in full sun or light shade. It’s flexible and easy to train on supports like trellises, arbors, and fences.
Crossvine
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) produces eye-catching trumpet-shaped flowers that are sought after by hummingbirds. The blooms are reddish-orange on the exterior with a bright yellow interior. They appear in spring and continue blooming through the summer months. Crossvine is a climbing evergreen vine that can grow very high when supported on structures like trellises, arbors, and walls. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and climbs by way of tendrils that cling to supports. The tubular flowers make it easy for hummingbirds to access the nectar reward.
Trumpet Creeper
Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) is a fast growing vine that produces clusters of bright red-orange trumpet-shaped flowers. The blooms appear in summer and attract hummingbirds with their tubular shape and sweet nectar. Trumpet creeper vines climb aggressively using aerial roots and need sturdy support from structures like trellises, walls, and arbors. They perform best in full sun and can grow up to 40 feet tall. The bright flowers add a pop of color in the garden. In addition to hummingbirds, trumpet creeper also attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators.
Cypress Vine
Cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) is a rapidly growing annual vine with small trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red and white. The fern-like foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for the delicate blooms. Cypress vine thrives in full sun and climbs using twining stems. It can grow up to 15 feet tall in a single season and does well on trellises, arbors, fences, and poles. The tubular red flowers support hummingbirds by providing an easy source of nectar. Cypress vine self-seeds readily, so you’re likely to have it return every year.
Other Vines that Attract Hummingbirds
In addition to the popular climbing vines covered already, there are several other options that provide nectar for hummingbirds:
- Scarlet creeper – Produces clusters of bright red flowers from spring to fall.
- Cardinal climber – Features vivid red tubular flowers that bloom from mid to late summer.
- Black-chinned hummingbird vine – Has bright red flowers with yellow interiors to attract hummingbirds.
- Firecracker vine – Produces eye-catching clusters of red tubular flowers in summer and fall.
- Morning glory – Varieties with red or orange flowers are favorites for hummingbirds to feed on.
Features that Make Vines Attractive to Hummingbirds
There are a few key features that vines need to attract frequent hummingbird visits:
- Tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers – The shape allows hummingbirds to access the nectar inside using their specialized long, slender beaks.
- Bright red colors – Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to vibrant red blooms that are easy to spot from afar.
- Continuous blooming – Vines that bloom from spring through fall provide a constant nectar source for hummingbirds.
- High nectar content – Abundant, sugar-rich nectar rewards hummingbirds each time they visit.
- Multiple flower clusters – The more flowers produced, the more opportunities hummingbirds have to feed.
Where to Plant Hummingbird Vine
To get the most out of hummingbird vines, there are some best practices to follow when installing them:
- Plant in full sun to light shade. Morning sun is particularly important.
- Make sure there is a support structure for vines to climb, like a trellis, arbor, or fence.
- Choose a spot with good air circulation to discourage fungus and disease.
- Plant near natural water sources like ponds for hummingbirds to bathe and drink.
- Select a location visible from indoor viewing areas so you can regularly observe hummingbird activity.
Avoid planting hummingbird vines in overly shady areas where flowering and nectar production will be reduced.
Caring for Hummingbird Vines
Hummingbird vines will thrive with proper care and maintenance:
- Fertilize vines regularly with a balanced flower fertilizer to promote blooms.
- Water vines at least 1-2 inches per week, more in hot weather.
- Install a climbing support like a trellis and train vines to climb it.
- Prune vines in winter to remove dead growth and shape plants.
- Weed and mulch around vines to reduce competition.
With the right growing conditions and care, hummingbird vines will flourish and produce an abundance of flowers to supply food for hummingbirds through the seasons.
How Do Hummingbirds Feed from Flowers?
Hummingbirds have specialized adaptations that allow them to obtain nectar from certain tubular and trumpet-shaped flowers:
- A long, slender bill that can reach deep into flowers.
- A specialized tongue that extends to lap up nectar.
- Sharp vision to spot nectar-rich blossoms.
- Swift flight to efficiently visit many flowers.
- High metabolism to power their active lifestyle.
When feeding, hummingbirds hover in front of a flower and extend their slender beak inside the tubular part which holds the nectar. Their long tongues dart in and out, lapping up the sweet nectar reward inside.
Flowers adapted to pollination by hummingbirds produce more nectar than those pollinated by bees or other means. Their nectar is also higher in sugar content. This helps fuel the hummingbirds’ supercharged metabolism and provides quick energy.
Do Hummingbirds Have a Good Sense of Smell?
Hummingbirds have essentially no sense of smell. They locate nectar sources by sight rather than scent. This is why bright colors, especially red, are so important for attracting hummingbirds to flowers. The lack of smell also explains why hummingbirds are not attracted to fragrant flowers as much as insects or other pollinators. So when picking out vines, focus on those with visual appeal rather than scent.
Best Vines for Each USDA Hardiness Zone
The best vines for attracting hummingbirds vary somewhat based on your USDA plant hardiness zone. Here are top recommendations for each region:
Zones 3-4
- Trumpet honeysuckle
- Scarlet creeper
- Trumpet vine
Zones 5-6
- Trumpet vine
- Cardinal climber
- Trumpet creeper
- Cypress vine
Zones 7-8
- Coral honeysuckle
- Crossvine
- Trumpet vine
- Black-chinned hummingbird vine
Zones 9-10
- Firecracker vine
- Cypress vine
- Trumpet vine
- Morning glory
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are attracted to several different climbing vines that offer tubular, nectar-rich flowers in colors that appeal to them. Great options include trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, crossvine, trumpet creeper, cypress vine, and more. Planting these vigorous vines in gardens provides essential food sources that hummingbirds rely on. With proper care and placement, they will return frequently to enjoy the sweet nectar rewards.
