Hummingbirds are beautiful little birds that are a joy to watch visit garden flowers. Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from drinking nectar from colorful tubular flowers. To attract hummingbirds to your garden, plant flowers that appeal to them. However, if you have dogs, you’ll want to avoid plants that are poisonous or toxic to canines. There are many wonderful hummingbird plants that are safe for dogs and make great additions to gardens with four-legged friends.
Why Plant for Hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds found in North America, with most species 3 to 5 inches long and weighing less than a nickel. Their fast wing beats and ability to hover mid-air as they feed make them fascinating to observe. Here are some key reasons to invite hummingbirds into your garden:
- Watching hummingbirds can lift your mood – their graceful movements and energetic antics bring joy.
- Hummingbirds act as pollinators in your garden as they flit from flower to flower.
- The variety of bright, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds can help beautify your garden.
- Planting for hummingbirds encourages biodiversity in your yard.
If you don’t want to use feeders, planting a garden with flowers that provide nectar for hummingbirds can draw these tiny birds to your yard.
Best Dog-Safe Hummingbird Plants
When choosing hummingbird plants for yards with dogs, avoid species that are poisonous. Here are some of the top options for dog-friendly hummingbird plants:
1. Fuchsia
With its dangling tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white, fuchsia is a favorite of hummingbirds. Fuchsia contains no toxic elements and all parts are safe for dogs. There are many lovely varieties to grow in baskets, containers, or garden beds such as:
- Fuchsia boliviana – red blooms
- Fuchsia magellanica – red and purple flowers
- Fuchsia triphylla – flowers of red, pink, and white
2. Bee Balm
Also called monarda, bee balm produces dense clusters of tubular flowers in gorgeous colors that entice hummingbirds. Thriving in full sun with good drainage, bee balm plants are hardy perennials with no toxicity to canines. Popular dog-safe bee balm varieties include:
- Monarda didyma – scarlet-red flowers
- Monarda fistulosa – lavender blooms
- Monarda citriodora – pink flowers with lemon scent
3. Cardinal Flower
The vivid red tubular blooms of cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) are irresistible to hummingbirds. The upright stalks of this hardy perennial make a beautiful back-of-border statement. Cardinal flower contains no toxins that are hazardous to dogs.
4. Columbine
Columbine flowers have elegant, nectar-filled blooms with backward-curving petals and sepals that create little wellsperfect for accessing by a hummingbird’s long beak and tongue. These easy-care perennials come in colors like red, yellow, pink, purple, white, and blue. All parts of columbine plants are non-toxic for dogs. Some popular columbine varieties to grow include:
- Aquilegia canadensis – red and yellow blooms
- Aquilegia chrysantha – yellow flowers
- Aquilegia vulgaris – blue, purple or white flowers
5. Coral Bells
Also known by their botanical name Heuchera, coral bells are compact perennials with a foliage mound from which flower stalks emerge, bearing dangling bell-shaped blooms. Their tubular flowers attract hummingbirds while their low-growing nature makes them suitable as border plants. Coral bells are completely non-toxic for dogs. Some dog-friendly varieties include:
- Heuchera micrantha – white flowers
- Heuchera sanguinea – red blooms
- Heuchera villosa – pink flowers
6. Delphinium
Delphinium produces tall spikes densely covered in tubular flowers that provide copious nectar for hungry hummingbirds. Their colors include blue, purple, pink, white, and more. All parts of delphinium are non-toxic for dogs. Some delphinium types that are safe for gardens with dogs are:
- Delphinium elatum – blue or purple flowers
- Delphinium grandiflorum – white blooms
- Delphinium belladonna – bright blue flowers
7. Snapdragons
The tubular blooms of snapdragons lure hummingbirds to sip nectar. Available in a rainbow of colors, snapdragons tolerate heat well. Their toxicity level is very low, but it’s best to keep dogs from ingesting large amounts. Snapdragons are non-toxic to dogs at normal exposure levels in the garden. Some dog-safe snapdragon varieties include:
- Antirrhinum majus – rainbow of colors
- Antirrhinum molle – yellow flowers
- Antirrhinum multiflorum – white blooms
8. Penstemon
Penstemon produces dense, spiky stalks lined with tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white that attract hummingbirds. With low water needs and an ability to thrive in hot, sunny areas, penstemon makes a great addition to gardens in many climates. Penstemon contains no toxic elements and is completely safe for dogs. Some penstemon species that are dog-friendly include:
- Penstemon digitalis – white flowers
- Penstemon barbatus – scarlet red blooms
- Penstemon pinifolius – orange-red flowers
9. Petunias
Petunias are popular annuals whose trumpet-shaped flowers appeal to hummingbirds. Available in colors ranging from pale pastels to vivid hot hues, petunias are non-toxic for dogs. Some petunia varieties safe to grow in dog gardens include:
- Petunia hybrida – rainbow of colors
- Petunia integrifolia – purple flowers
- Petunia axillaris – white blooms
10. Zinnias
Zinnias produce a bounty of large, brightly colored daisy-like flowers that attract hummingbirds. These quick-growing annuals thrive in hot, sunny conditions. Zinnias contain no toxic elements and all colors are safe for gardens with dogs. Some dog-friendly zinnia varieties include:
- Zinnia elegans – rainbow colors
- Zinnia angustifolia – orange flowers
- Zinnia peruviana – red blooms with yellow centers
Hummingbird Planting Tips
Follow these tips to design a hummingbird garden that deters dogs:
- Plant in raised beds or hanging baskets that dogs can’t access.
- Use strong supports and wires for climbing plants.
- Include “sacrificial plantings” to distract curious dogs.
- Use deterrents like fencing, rocks, or chicken wire to protect plants.
- Spray or mulch plants with cayenne pepper to deter dogs from digging.
- Place bird feeders and hummingbird plants well away from dog paths and runs.
Grouping hummingbird plants together makes it easier to protect them and creates an attractive visual display. Supplement with feeders filled with a homemade nectar solution of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Change nectar every 2-3 days to prevent spoilage. Thoroughly scrub feeders with hot water weekly.
Dog-Toxic Hummingbird Plants to Avoid
Some traditional hummingbird plants contain toxic elements that could harm dogs. Here are some to prevent dogs from accessing:
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
All parts of foxglove plants contain cardiac glycosides that can cause serious poisoning in dogs if ingested, including potentially fatal heart problems.
Lilies
True lilies like Asiatic, Oriental, and Easter lilies (Lilium spp.) are very toxic to dogs. Ingesting any part, including the pollen, can cause kidney failure. Other lilies like daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are not true lilies and are safe for dogs.
Toxic True Lilies | Safe Daylilies |
---|---|
Asiatic lilies | Hemerocallis fulva |
Oriental lilies | Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus |
Easter lilies | Hemerocallis altissima |
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
While butterfly bush has fragrant, nectar-rich blooms, dogs that consume any part of this plant may experience gastrointestinal issues including vomiting and diarrhea.
Nicotiana
Flowers in the Nicotiana genus including ornamental tobacco are toxic at certain doses and contain nicotine. It’s best to keep dogs away from these plants entirely.
Gladioli
The bulbs of gladiolus plants contain insoluble calcium oxalates that can cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs if ingested.
Conclusion
Welcoming hummingbirds to your garden with their preferred nectar-filled blooms is rewarding. By choosing plants for hummingbirds that are non-toxic for dogs and taking some protective measures, you can help ensure your pet’s safety and enjoy the beauty and activity hummingbirds bring. Focus on filling your garden with lots of the dog-friendly hummingbird plants like fuchsia, bee balm, and coral bells for a peaceful sanctuary for dogs, birds, and humans alike.