Hummingbirds are a delight to watch as they hover and dart around flowers in search of nectar. Their bright, iridescent feathers shimmer in the sunlight, captivating viewers. While hummingbirds are found across much of the United States during the summer months, they are particularly abundant in Louisiana. The state’s warm climate and diversity of flowering plants make it an ideal habitat for these tiny birds.
When planning a garden to attract hummingbirds in Louisiana, it helps to know what types of plants and flowers appeal to them. Below we discuss some of the best options for landscaping and gardening to bring in more of these special visitors.
Native Plants
Native plants that occur locally are always a top choice when catering to local wildlife. Hummingbirds that breed and reside in Louisiana have evolved alongside the native vegetation over thousands of years. This means they are adapted to seek out nectar from the flowers of these plants.
Some excellent Louisiana native plants that attract hummingbirds include:
- Coral honeysuckle
- Trumpet creeper
- Crossvine
- Carolina jessamine
- Louisiana phlox
- Bee balm
- Cigar plant
- Fire pink
- Columbine
These plants provide abundant sources of nectar to fuel the high metabolisms of hummingbirds. Their tubular blooms and red or orange colors are perfectly adapted to appeal to these petite pollinators.
Non-Native Choices
While native plants are ideal, you can still incorporate some ornamental selections in a hummingbird garden. Hummingbirds readily adapt to feeding from suitable exotic plants as long as they provide enough nectar.
Some non-native plants that work well in Louisiana hummingbird gardens are:
- Lantana
- Fuchsia
- Petunia
- Indian hawthorn
- Sage
- Salvia
- Hummingbird bush
- Butterfly bush
- Japanese honeysuckle
These flowering shrubs and plants provide the tubular red, orange, or pink blooms that attract hummingbirds. Just be sure to avoid invasive species and stick with planting non-natives responsibly in contained areas.
Flowering Trees
In addition to herbaceous flowering plants, trees can also provide fantastic forage for hummingbirds in Louisiana. Some excellent options include:
- Mimosa
- Red buckeye
- Bottlebrush buckeye
- Tulip tree
- Royal catchfly
- Torchwood
- Red maple
These trees burst into colorful, tubular blooms in spring or summer, allowing hummingbirds to move up into the canopy to find food. They add beautiful structure and flowering displays to a Louisiana garden or yard.
Vines
Don’t overlook vines in your hummingbird garden plans. These climbing plants add great vertical layers and often produce waves of delicate blooms that attract hummingbirds. Excellent vine choices include:
- Trumpet vine
- Passionflower
- Honeysuckle
- Cypress vine
- Hyacinth bean
- Moonflower
- Cardinal climber
Letting these plants trellis over fences, arbors or up into trees provides lots of hummingbird appeal. The flowers dangle at just the right level for easy sipping by hovering hummers.
Flower Colors
When selecting plants, pay attention to flower color. Hummingbirds are attracted to red, orange and hot pink blossoms. These flowers advertise their nectar supplies with colors that appeal to hummingbird vision and draw them in. Some particularly good color options include:
- Red – Bee balm, cardinal flower, trumpet vine, Indian hawthorn
- Orange – Lantana, trumpet creeper, coral honeysuckle
- Pink – Sages, fuchsia, passionflower
- Yellow – Some hummers also visit yellows like Esperanza and honeysuckle
Focus on these colors in your plant selection to increase hummingbird traffic to your garden.
Flower Shapes
Hummingbirds have specially adapted long, slender beaks and tongues to access nectar. This means they prefer flowers with tubular or trumpet-shaped blooms where they can easily insert their beaks and feed.
Some particularly good flower shapes that match hummingbird feeding abilities include:
- Tubular
- Trumpet-shaped
- Salverform
- Jug-shaped
Focus on flowers like these with easy tubular access when planning your hummingbird garden.
Continuous Bloom Periods
Hummingbirds need a constant food source, not just a single flush of flowers. When planning your landscape, select a variety of plants that collectively bloom from spring through fall. Some good examples that provide ongoing nectar are:
- Spring – sages, fuchsia, columbine
- Summer – bee balm, trumpet vine, lantana
- Fall – fiery red salvia, coral honeysuckle, passionflower
Overlap these plants to ensure flowering from March through October to accommodate hummingbird needs.
Simple Garden Designs
You don’t need an overly complex garden design to meet the needs of hummingbirds. Simple strategies like mass planting drifts of favorite flowers or dedicating a corner planting bed to hummingbird plants work perfectly well.
Some easy garden ideas that attract hummingbirds include:
- Mixed flower border – Combine several tubular blossoms in a garden bed
- Container planting – Fill hanging baskets or pots with nectar plants
- Herb spiral – Plant sages and bee balm in a spiraled herb garden
- Arbor planting – Use passionflower or honeysuckle on an arbor or trellis
Focus on what works in your space to create an appealing and easy hummingbird habitat.
Provide Water
In addition to nectar sources, hummingbirds need plain fresh water for bathing and drinking. Install a dripping water feature, fountain or small birdbath to provide water. Move it frequently and keep it very clean to prevent disease spread.
Some good water source options include:
- Dripping fountain
- Misting sprayer
- Waterfall
- Rain chain
- Low bird baths
Situate water sources near foliage or perches so hummingbirds have a place to land and preen after bathing.
Avoid Pesticides
Hummingbirds are very sensitive to chemicals and pesticides. These toxins can be fatal if hummingbirds ingest them during feeding. Avoid spraying any pesticides on plants in the hummingbird garden.
Use natural care strategies like these instead:
- Hand removal of pests
- Insecticidal soaps
- Beneficial insects
- Companion planting
- Organic mulching
Keeping your garden pesticide-free ensures it stays safe and healthy for hummingbirds.
Provide Shelter
Hummingbirds appreciate small trees, shrubs and vines to retreat to when resting. Plant these near your nectar flowers.
Some shelter options hummingbirds enjoy include:
- Small trees – Crape myrtles, redbud, vitex
- Shrubs – Butterfly bush, azalea
- Vines – Crossvine, trumpet creeper
Position these so hummingbirds can watch for predators as they rest up between feedings.
Supplemental Feeders
While flowers should be the primary food source, supplemental feeders help attract hummingbirds and provide backup food. Use a simple nectar feeder with a quality artificial nectar mix.
Feeder tips:
- Use a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water for nectar
- Avoid food coloring
- Clean feeders thoroughly every week
- Position near shelter but where it’s visible
With good sanitation, feeders can help support hummingbirds without risking their health.
Conclusion
By incorporating a selection of tubular, red, orange or pink flowers into your garden, you can successfully attract beautiful hummingbirds to your Louisiana landscape. Focus on native species and plants with ongoing bloom periods to provide a consistent food source. Add a clean water source, sheltering plants and a feeder to meet all the habitat needs of hummingbirds. Avoid pesticides and provide a safe space for them to rest and refuel as they migrate through or take up residence in your yard.
| Plant Type | Recommended Plants |
|---|---|
| Native Plants | Coral honeysuckle, Trumpet creeper, Crossvine, Carolina jessamine, Louisiana phlox, Bee balm, Cigar plant, Fire pink, Columbine |
| Non-Native Plants | Lantana, Fuchsia, Petunia, Indian hawthorn, Sage, Salvia, Hummingbird bush, Butterfly bush, Japanese honeysuckle |
| Flowering Trees | Mimosa, Red buckeye, Bottlebrush buckeye, Tulip tree, Royal catchfly, Torchwood, Red maple |
| Vines | Trumpet vine, Passionflower, Honeysuckle, Cypress vine, Hyacinth bean, Moonflower, Cardinal climber |
