Hummingbirds are one of the primary pollinators of many flowering plants, especially in the Americas. Their ability to hover and maintain flight allows them to access nectar from flowers that other pollinators cannot. Hummingbirds have coevolved with many plants that rely specifically on them for pollination. These plants have flowers adapted to suit the long, slim beak of a hummingbird[1]. Understanding what flowers attract hummingbirds can help gardeners design landscapes to support these unique and charismatic birds.
What is pollination?
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. This transfer of pollen allows flowering plants to reproduce sexually. Without pollination, plants cannot produce seeds and fruits. There are two main types of pollination: abiotic and biotic[2].
Abiotic pollination does not require pollinators. This includes pollination by wind, water, or other natural physical processes. Wind-pollinated plants like grasses often produce large amounts of lightweight, dry pollen suited to travel on air currents.
Biotic pollination relies on living pollinators to transfer pollen. This includes insects, birds, bats, and other animals. Biotic pollination allows for the coevolution of intricate relationships between plants and specific pollinator species. Hummingbird pollination is a type of biotic pollination.
Why are hummingbirds important pollinators?
Hummingbirds serve as important pollinators, especially in forest, shrubland, grassland, and garden habitats of North America. Here are some key reasons why[3]:
– High mobility – Hummingbirds can quickly move from flower to flower across diverse habitat types. This facilitates pollen transfer over greater distances.
– Frequent feeding – Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms. They need to feed every 10-15 minutes throughout the day, visiting hundreds or thousands of flowers daily. This frequent feeding leads to abundant pollen transfer.
– Adaptations for nectar feeding – Hummingbirds have slim bills and specialized tongues adapted for accessing nectar from tubular or cup-shaped flowers. These adaptations allow hummingbirds to pollinate flowers specifically suited to their anatomy.
– Lack of hairy bodies – Unlike bees or bats, hummingbirds do not have hairy bodies where pollen can get trapped. This makes hummingbirds more efficient at transferring pollen between flowers.
– Thrive in hot climates – Many other pollinators are less active in hot conditions. But hummingbirds readily thrive in tropical and subtropical climates where they take on an especially important pollination role.
What flower traits attract hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds have coevolved with many plants that rely upon hummingbirds specifically for pollination. These hummingbird-adapted flowers share several characteristic traits[4]:
– Tubular or cup-shaped flowers – Hummingbird beaks conveniently fit these flower shapes while accessing nectar. The petals also help direct the beak to contact reproductive parts.
– Red, orange, or purple flowers – Hummingbirds see these colors well to find flowers. Bees see these colors poorly, avoiding competition.
– Little to no scent – Hummingbird vision is more important than scent to find flowers, unlike insect pollinated flowers.
– Large amounts of dilute nectar – Hummingbirds have a high energy demand requiring plentiful nectar from multiple flowers. Too much sugar concentration can also stick to their beaks.
– Sticky pollen – Hummingbird flowers often have pollen that sticks well to the beak and head to travel to the next flower.
– Tall inflorescences – Hummingbird flowers are arranged on tall stalks and widely spaced to match their flight abilities.
Common hummingbird pollinated flowers
Here are some of the top flowers specially adapted for hummingbird pollination:
Native North American wildflowers
– Scarlet gilia – This red tubular flower blooms in mountain meadows and forests across western North America. Hummingbirds gravitate to its nectar-rich blooms[5].
– Cardinal flower – The bright red flowers clustered on tall spikes make this wetland wildflower a hummingbird magnet[6].
– Columbine – These unique flowers with elongated petals and abundant nectar attract hummingbirds across woodlands, thickets and meadows[7].
– Indian paintbrush – A hummingbird will carefully pierce the tip of this wildflower’s tube-like blooms to drink the nectar[8].
– Firecracker penstemon – Hummingbirds hover at the trumpet-shaped red flowers on this wildflower found across the Southwest deserts[9].
Tropical and subtropical flowers
– Calliandra – This red powderpuff shrub from Mexico and Central America is a hummingbird favorite[10].
– Heliconia – Known as lobster-claws, the long banana-like flower spikes of this tropical genus appeal to hummingbirds[11].
– Fuchsia – Most hybrid and wild species of this showy hummingbird flower originally came from South America and the Caribbean[12].
– Weigela – Imported to North America from East Asia, these ornamental shrubs have tubular red or pink flowers tailored for hummingbirds[13].
– Abutilon – Often called flowering maples, these subtropical shrubs produce dangling, bell-shaped blooms that hummingbirds drink from[14].
Common garden flowers
Even many backyard garden favorites attract hummingbirds. Popular hummingbird flowers include:
– Fuchsia
– Petunia
– Morning glory
– Cardinal flower
– Trumpet vine
– Bee balm
– Zinnia
– Columbine
– Coral bells
– Delphinium
– Foxglove
– Penstemon
– Salvia
regional guide to the top hummingbird flowers
The most effective flowers for attracting hummingbirds varies by geographic region based on native plants and climate:
Western North America
– Scarlet gilia
– Indian paintbrush
– Penstemon
– Firecracker penstemon
– Columbine
– Trumpet vine
– Monkey flower
Eastern North America
– Cardinal flower
– Columbine
– Bee balm
– Trumpet creeper
– Jewelweed
– Fuchsia
– Petunia
Southwestern North America
– Ocotillo
– Calliandra
– Desert honeysuckle
– Penstemon
– Firecracker penstemon
– Salvia
– Zinnia
Southeastern North America
– Coral honeysuckle
– Crossvine
– Salvia
– Petunia
– Cardinal flower
– Pineapple sage
– Fuchsia
California
– Fuchsia
– Penstemon
– Mimulus
– Salvia
– Columbine
– Monkey flower
– Coral bells
When to plant hummingbird flowers
The ideal planting time matches when hummingbirds migrate through your area. Here are peak hummingbird seasons for some key regions[15]:
| Region | Peak Hummingbird Season |
|---|---|
| California | February – September |
| Pacific Northwest | April – September |
| Southwestern U.S. | March – September |
| Midwestern U.S. | May – September |
| Northeastern U.S. | May – October |
| Southeastern U.S. | March – October |
Aim to have flowers blooming through the entire hummingbird season. Plant early, mid, and late blooming hummingbird flowers together. This provides nectar throughout their time in your area.
In warmer zones like the Southeast and Southwest, some hummingbird plants bloom nearly year-round. In colder zones with winter freezes, hummingbird flowers may be limited to late spring through summer. Plan your planting schedule and choose cold hardy plants accordingly.
Designing a hummingbird garden habitat
Follow these tips to design an appealing, healthy habitat that will attract hummingbirds[16]:
Plant a variety
Include a diversity of annuals and perennials with different bloom times. This provides nectar through the seasons. Mixing flower colors and shapes also appeals to hummingbird tastes.
Include native plants
Native wildflowers like cardinal flower and columbine that evolved with hummingbirds are their historical food source. Prioritize these along with native trees and shrubs.
Plant in drifts
Group the same flowers together in “drifts” rather than isolated specimens. Dense drifts attract more hummingbirds.
Include trees and shrubs
Hummingbirds rely on trees and shrubs for protective cover, nesting spots, and perching while feeding.
Provide water
A mister, drippers, or shallow bird bath gives hummingbirds a water source to drink and bathe.
Avoid pesticides
Skip the pesticides that can poison hummingbirds and reduce insect prey they need for protein.
Allow natural areas
Incorporate some little-managed sections with native vegetation, dead wood, and leaf litter which encourage hummingbird food sources.
How to identify hummingbird flowers
Follow these signs to recognize plants adapted to attract hummingbirds:
– Tubular or cup-shaped red, orange, yellow, or purple flowers
– Little to no detectable fragrance
– Plentiful nectar with 25% or more sugar content
– Sticky pollen grains
– Tall herbaceous stalks or woody growth for aerial access
– Native species, especially in the Americas
Seeing hummingbirds actively visiting flowers is the best confirmation that a plant serves as a top food source for them. Observe hummingbird behavior in your yard and gardens to determine their preferred flowers.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds have an intimate and important relationship with the flowers they pollinate. Providing the flowers these tiny birds rely on offers needed food and also brings their remarkable beauty up close. By understanding key hummingbird flowers, gardeners can support these energetic pollinators and enjoy their company with thoughtful habitat planning and plant selection. Designing a landscape specifically to attract hummingbirds creates a space teeming with life that delights the eyes and ears. The fluttering wings and iridescent flashes of color from visiting hummingbirds will brighten any garden they can call home.
