The ruby throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common and widely distributed hummingbird species in eastern North America. As their name suggests, male ruby throats have a distinctive iridescent red throat patch. They are the only breeding hummingbird species found east of the Mississippi River. Ruby throats breed across most of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada during the summer, and migrate to Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies for the winter.
Ruby throated hummingbirds rely heavily on nectar from flowers as their main food source. They have specially adapted long, slender bills and tongues that allow them to retrieve nectar from deep within tubular flowers. Ruby throats prefer flowers with high sugar concentrations in their nectar, often seeking out native wildflowers specifically adapted to pollination by hummingbirds. Understanding what flowers provide the nutrients ruby throats need, and are native to their breeding habitat, can help attract these amazing birds to backyards and gardens.
Preferred Native Flower Characteristics
Ruby throated hummingbirds are most attracted to flowers with the following characteristics:
- Tube or trumpet shaped blooms with deep nectaries that accommodate their long bills and tongues
- Bright red, orange, pink, or purple blossoms which they can see well
- Plentiful, easily accessible nectar with a high sugar concentration
- Tubular flower clusters on a single stalk, allowing them to efficiently feed from multiple blossoms
- Blooms throughout the ruby throats’ spring and summer breeding season
Native wildflowers and flowering shrubs that share many of these adaptations are magnets for breeding ruby throated hummingbirds across their range. Choosing local native plants whenever possible provides essential food resources and supports hummingbird populations.
Top Native Flowers for Ruby Throats by Region
The most attractive and beneficial flowers for ruby throated hummingbirds varies by geographic location across North America based on native species. Some of the top native flowers to plant by region are:
Northeast
- Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens, Lonicera villosa)
- Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
- Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
- Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis, P. calycosus)
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
Southeast
- Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
- Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Fire pink (Silene virginica)
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
- Penstemon (Penstemon calycosus, P. smallii)
- Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
Midwest
- Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- Fire pink (Silene virginica)
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
- Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis, P. calycosus)
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Central Plains
- Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa)
- Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea)
- Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea)
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Southwest
- Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa)
- Beardtongue (Penstemon species)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Century plant (Agave species)
- Columbine (Aquilegia species)
- Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)
- Indian paintbrush (Castilleja integra)
- Scarlet bugler (Penstemon barbatus)
Northwest
- Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
- Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)
- Indian paintbrush (Castilleja species)
- Penstemon (Penstemon species)
- Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata)
- Twinflower (Linnaea borealis)
California
- California fuchsia (Epilobium canum)
- Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
- Indian paintbrush (Castilleja species)
- Penstemon (Penstemon species)
- Sage (Salvia species)
- Scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius)
- Scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis)
Ideal Garden Flowers for Ruby Throats
In addition to native wildflowers, many garden varieties of the following flowers will attract ruby throated hummingbirds:
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Columbine
- Coral bells
- Coral honeysuckle
- Daylily
- Delphinium
- Foxglove
- Fuchsia
- Gladiolus
- Hollyhock
- Hosta
- Impatiens
- Lily
- Morning glory
- Petunia
- Salvia
- Snapdragons
- Weigela
- Zinnia
Choosing a variety of blooms that flower in succession will provide ruby throats a constant nectar source. Red blooms are preferred, but hummingbirds will visit other colors as well. Tubular, clustered flowers with adequate nectar production are ideal.
When and Where to Plant
Ruby throated hummingbirds are migratory, arriving in northern breeding areas between April and May, and departing by late September. Planting flowers that bloom during this period will provide essential food. Leave seed heads over winter to help nourish early arrivals in spring.
Plant flower beds and borders in open sunny sites. Space tubular flowers in groups of 3-5 to make it easy for hummingbirds to move between blossoms. Include tall plants like hollyhocks in the back and shorter flowers in front for full visibility. Hang nectar feeders nearby to supplement their diet.
Provide plenty of shrubs and trees for perching, nesting, and shelter. Avoid using pesticides which can poison hummingbirds. Choose native plants when possible, and provide a water mister for bathing. A diverse, flowering habitat will attract and nourish ruby throats through the breeding season.
Conclusion
Ruby throated hummingbirds have a vital relationship with native wildflowers that provide the nectar essential to their survival. By landscaping with plants from their local region, we can create a welcoming habitat for these special birds. A succession of blooms from spring through fall will attract and sustain hummingbirds as they breed and nest. With some careful planning, our gardens can provide vital sustenance for ruby throats and an up-close view of their beauty. Doing our part to support their habitat needs ensures we can enjoy these tiny dynamos for many seasons to come.
