Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers with bright, vibrant colors, particularly shades of red and purple. There are several purple flower plants that attract hummingbirds due to their color, shape, and nectar content.
Top Purple Flower Plants for Hummingbirds
Some of the top purple flower plants that attract hummingbirds include:
- Lilac
- Iris
- Petunia
- Columbine
- Salvia
- Lavender
- Foxglove
- Purple coneflower
- Hyssop
- Verbena
Lilac
Lilacs are fragrant, clustered purple flowers that bloom in spring. There are over 200 cultivars of lilacs with colors ranging from deep purple to soft lavender. The tubular shape of lilac flowers makes it easy for hummingbirds to access the nectar. Lilacs grow well in full sun and moderately fertile soil.
Iris
Iris come in a variety of colors, including deep purple. The three downward petals of iris flowers form a landing platform for hummingbirds. Irises are perennials that grow from rhizomes and prefer full sun to partial shade. They bloom in late spring to early summer.
Petunia
Petunias are popular ornamental flowers that come in many colors, including purple. The trumpet-shaped single blooms of petunias allow hummingbirds to easily slip inside. Petunias grow well in containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds. They bloom spring to frost in full sun.
Columbine
Columbine flowers have elegant, spurred blooms in colors like purple, pink, red, yellow, and white. The nectar-rich, purple columbine flowers attract hummingbirds to pollinate them. Columbines thrive in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They bloom in spring to early summer.
Salvia
Salvia is a diverse plant genus with nearly 1,000 species. Many salvias produce long purple flower spikes on aromatic foliage. Their tubular flower shape makes it easy for hummingbirds to access nectar. Salvias grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. They bloom summer to fall.
Lavender
Lavender produces fragrant purple flower spikes on silvery green foliage. The tubular lavender blooms contain appealing nectar for hummingbirds. Lavender thrives in hot, sunny, and dry conditions. The flowering period is mid to late summer.
Foxglove
Foxgloves produce tall stalks lined with tubular purple flowers that attract hummingbirds. The blooms range from light lavender to deep purple. Foxgloves do best in part shade and average, well-drained soil. They bloom in late spring to mid summer.
Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower, also known as echinacea, is a perennial that blooms all summer. The colorful central cones are surrounded by downward facing purple ray flowers. Coneflowers grow well in full sun and dry to medium moisture levels.
Hyssop
Hyssop is an herb that produces spikes of tubular purple flowers in summer. The sweet nectar attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Hyssop thrives in dry, well-drained soil and full sun. The flowers can also be used to make tea.
Verbena
Verbena includes over 250 species of flowering plants. Verbenas produce clusters of small purple flowers that attract hummingbirds. They grow well in full sun and dry conditions. Blooms appear spring through fall.
What Makes These Flowers Attractive to Hummingbirds
There are a few key features that make the purple flowers listed above highly attractive to hummingbirds:
- Color – Vibrant purple and shades of lavender catch a hummingbird’s eye.
- Tubular shape – Allows hummingbirds to easily access nectar with their long beaks.
- Abundant nectar – High in sugar content to fuel hummingbirds.
- Fragrance – Fragrant blooms help attract hummingbirds.
- Non-invasive – Most are native or non-aggressive plants.
Hummingbirds have excellent color vision and are able to see the color purple more distinctly than humans can. The tubular or funnel-like shape of many purple flowers perfectly matches the long, thin beak of a hummingbird. This allows them to efficiently draw out the sweet nectar to fuel their supercharged metabolisms.
In addition to color and shape, hummingbirds rely heavily on smell to locate nectar sources. Fragrant purple flowers like lilac, lavender, and hyssop are more likely to catch their attention. Finally, planting non-invasive species creates a welcoming habitat for hummingbirds in your area.
When and Where Do These Flowers Bloom?
The main purple flower plants that attract hummingbirds generally have peak flowering times as follows:
| Flower | Bloom Time |
|---|---|
| Lilac | Spring |
| Iris | Late spring to early summer |
| Petunia | Spring to frost |
| Columbine | Spring to early summer |
| Salvia | Summer to fall |
| Lavender | Mid to late summer |
| Foxglove | Late spring to mid summer |
| Purple coneflower | Summer |
| Hyssop | Summer |
| Verbena | Spring through fall |
By planting a variety of these flowers, you can provide nectar for hummingbirds from early spring through late fall. The plants thrive in various climates and soil types, though most require full sun to part shade. Focus on native plant species that are adapted to the particular light and moisture conditions in your area.
Where to Plant
There are several options for incorporating hummingbird-friendly purple flowers into your yard or garden:
- Flower beds – Mix purple flowering plants alongside other colors
- Borders – Use purple flowers to edge beds, walkways, fences
- Container gardens – Plant purple blooms in hanging baskets, pots
- Pollinator gardens – Design a dedicated space with native plants
- Window boxes – Add purple trailing flowers like petunias
- Around trees/shrubs – Underplant with purple iris, salvia, verbena
Groupings of the same flower type create bold blocks of color. Combining different purple hues and flower shapes provides visual interest. Focus hummingbird plants in areas where you want to attract and view their activity.
How to Attract More Hummingbirds
Here are some tips to attract more hummingbirds to your purple flowers:
- Provide multiple nectar sources – Plant a variety of purple flowers that bloom at different times.
- Use red feeders – Red is super attractive to hummingbirds. Maintain clean nectar in feeders.
- Add a water feature – Hummingbirds bathe and drink water in addition to nectar.
- Avoid pesticides – Grow purple flowers organically to provide safe habitat.
- Offer shelter – Add native trees, shrubs for perching, nesting and protection.
- Supplement minerals – Create muddy areas or get a mineral feeder.
- Welcome all pollinators – Support bees, butterflies and beneficial insects too.
In addition to planting a diversity of tubular purple flowers, you can supplement with hummingbird feeders. Use a nectar mix of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Never use food coloring, honey or artificial sweeteners. Change the nectar every few days to prevent mold. Provide a water feature like a fountain or sprinkler for bathing. Avoid pesticides that can be harmful to hummingbirds and pollinators. Offer supplemental minerals which hummingbirds get naturally from clay soils.
Conclusion
Purple flowers like lilac, iris, petunia, and salvia are top plants for attracting hummingbirds. Their bright color, tubular shape, abundant nectar and fragrance draw in these energetic pollinators. Plant a variety of purple flowering species to provide nectar from spring to fall. Supplement with clean hummingbird feeders, water features, native plants and mineral sources. Avoid pesticides to create a safe hummingbird habitat. With a little planning, you can enjoy the magic of hummingbirds visiting beautiful purple blooms in your yard.
