Hummingbirds are found throughout San Diego County and can be attracted to backyard gardens with the right combination of flowering plants. There are over a dozen different hummingbird species that have been spotted in the San Diego region, each with their own unique preferences when it comes to nectar sources. Choosing a diverse selection of hummingbird-friendly plants that bloom at different times throughout the year will provide a continuous nectar buffet for these energetic little birds.
Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
One of the best ways to create an enticing habitat for local hummingbirds is to landscape with native plants. Native species are specially adapted to San Diego’s Mediterranean climate and often require less watering and care than non-native ornamentals. Here are some top native plants for luring hummingbirds to San Diego gardens:
- California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) – Bright red tubular flowers bloom nearly year-round.
- Chaparral honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicata) – Clusters of red-orange flowers from late winter into spring.
- Island bush snapdragon (Galvezia speciosa) – Red-orange flowers late winter into summer.
- San Diego sage (Salvia clevelandii) – Whorls of blue-purple flowers spring into summer.
- Coastal sagebrush (Artemisia californica) – Light yellow flowers late summer into fall.
- California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) – Dense white flower clusters from spring to fall.
- Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) – White to pale pink flowers in early summer.
- Sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) – Bright orange-red flowers late winter into summer.
- Wild lilac (Ceanothus species) – Clusters of blue to white flowers in spring.
Non-Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
In addition to native plants, there are many showy non-native ornamentals that hummingbirds find irresistible. Some popular exotic flowering plants for San Diego gardens include:
- Bougainvillea – Brightly colored bracts in shades of red, orange, purple, and pink. Blooms spring into fall.
- Canna lily – Orange, red, and yellow blooms summer into fall.
- Coral vine (Antigonon leptopus) – Red-pink flowers spring through fall.
- Firespike (Odontonema strictum) – Clusters of bright red flowers late summer into fall.
- Fuchsia – Pendant red and purple flowers spring into fall.
- Gladiolus – Spikes of red, pink, orange, or yellow blooms spring through summer.
- Impatiens – Abundant red, orange, pink, purple, or white blooms spring through fall.
- Lantana – Clusters of red, yellow, orange, pink, or purple flowers spring through frost.
- Lilac – Purple flower spikes in spring.
- Penstemon – Red, pink, or purple tubular flowers spring through summer.
- Petunia – Trumpet-shaped purple, pink, red, or white blooms spring through fall.
- Salvia – Spikes of red, purple, pink, or white flowers spring into fall.
- Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) – Red flower spikes from summer to frost.
- Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) – Bright orange tubular flowers from summer to fall.
- Verbena – Clusters of red, purple, or pink flowers spring through fall.
- Weigela – Pink, red, or white trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring.
Best Shrubs and Vines
In addition to perennials, flowering shrubs and vines provide excellent habitat for hummingbirds in San Diego. Here are some top picks:
- Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) – Orange-red tubular flowers much of the year.
- Coral vine (Antigonon leptopus) – Showy red-pink blooms.
- Firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis) – Red tubular flowers spring through fall.
- Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus) – Bright red-orange blooms late summer into fall.
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) – Spikes of red, pink, or white flowers late spring into fall.
- Shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeeana) – Clusters of orange-red blooms year-round.
- Thunbergia – Orange, yellow, or red trumpet-shaped flowers much of the year.
- Orange jubilee (Tecoma x ‘Orange Jubilee’) – Abundant orange trumpet-shaped flowers.
- Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) – Bright orange blooms summer into fall.
Best Annuals
For a quick burst of color to attract hummingbirds, fill in gardens beds or containers with these popular heat-loving annuals:
- Begonia
- Cosmos
- Cypress vine
- Fuchsia
- Impatiens
- Lantana
- Lobelia
- Marigold
- Morning glory
- Nasturtium
- Petunia
- Salvia
- Scarlet sage
- Verbena
- Zinnia
Choosing annuals in warm colors like red, orange, yellow, and pink will be especially attractive to hummingbirds searching for nectar-rich flowers.
Bloom Times
Choose a variety of plants that bloom at different times to provide nectar through the seasons:
| Season | Peak Bloom Period | Example Plants |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March – May | Penstemon, lilac, sage, fuchsia, azalea |
| Summer | June – August | Bougainvillea, orchids, canna lily, sage |
| Fall | September – November | California fuchsia, firespike, pineapple sage |
| Winter | December – February | Coral vine, cape honeysuckle, aloe, sage |
Water Needs
When selecting plants, pay attention to water requirements. Hummingbirds are drawn to flower beds and borders with these traits:
- Low Water Plants – California fuchsia, California buckwheat, ceanothus, sage, agave
- Moderate Water Plants – Lantana, fuchsia, coral vine, aloe vera
- Medium to High Water Plants – impatiens, canna lily, petunias, vines
Prioritize plants adapted to low water/drought conditions. Most hummingbird flowers thrive in full sun exposure.
Flower Colors
Hummingbirds see visible light spectrum plus some ultraviolet colors. They are attracted to tubular flowers in these hues:
- Red – California fuchsia, penstemon, salvias, coral vine
- Orange – California poppy, aloes, trumpet vine, lantana
- Yellow – Sages, buckwheat, lantana
- Pink – Coral vine, fuchsia, penstemon
- Purple – Sages, lilac, verbena, hyssop
- White – Ceanothus, island bush snapdragon, sage
Have several flower colors in bloom at once to appeal to the most hummingbird species.
Flower Shapes
Hummingbirds favor tubular-shaped flowers which perfectly suit their long, slender beaks and tongues. Good flower shapes include:
- Trumpet-shaped
- Salverform (short tube with flat face)
- Tubular
Avoid daisy-like flowers with exposed nectar since hummingbirds prefer probing for nectar hidden inside flowers.
Plant Types
Gardens that mimic native habitats will attract more hummingbirds. Focus on these plant types:
- Perennials – Penstemon, sages, fuchsia
- Shrubs – Lantana, ceanothus, fuchsia, vines
- Trees – Eucalyptus, melaleuca, mimosa
- Succulents & Cacti – Agave, aloe vera, coral aloe
- Vines – Trumpet vine, coral vine
- Annuals – Zinnia, petunia, fuchsia, salvia
Aim for at least one tall plant, one vine, several bushes, and plenty of flowering perennials.
Favorite Flowers
All hummingbirds need nectar flowers for energy. Some species have preferences for certain blooms:
- Anna’s hummingbirds – California fuchsia, sages, buckwheat, monkeyflower
- Black-chinned hummingbirds – Penstemon, desert willow, trumpet vine, aloe
- Broad-tailed hummingbirds – Indian paintbrush, columbine, larkspur, pineapple sage
- Calliope hummingbirds – Fuchsia, penstemon, honeysuckle, coral bells
- Rufous hummingbirds – Fuchsia, salmonberry, columbine, honeysuckle, pineapple sage
- Allen’s hummingbirds – Fuchsia, tree tobacco, sages, bush snapdragon, currant
Research the species in your area and add their favorite flowers.
Flower Beds & Borders
Planting beds and borders offer handy foraging for hummingbirds. Create multi-level beds with:
- Tall backdrop plants like fuchsia trees or vines on fences
- Mid-height shrubs such as lantana or Texas ranger
- Low-growing perennials like aloe, sages, buckwheat
- Ground cover succulents like Sedum
Use clusters and drifts of the same plants for visual impact. Save lawn space for pathways and hummingbird viewing areas.
Container Gardens
It’s easy to welcome hummingbirds with container gardens on patios, porches, and decks. Try these container combos:
- Verbena, petunia, fuchsia, and trailing lantana
- Red salvia, dwarf canna lily, and geranium
- Cape honeysuckle, orange geanothus, lobelia
Use a thriller/filler/spiller formula: Thrilling tall plants like ornamental grasses or small trees, filling mid-height flowers, and spilling cascades of bloom from vines and trailing plants.
Water & Feeders
Provide clean fresh water for drinking and bathing with features like:
- Water fountain or mister
- Water garden
- Rain garden
- Bird bath changed weekly
Supplement flowers with sugary nectar feeders, especially in winter and migration seasons when blooms are scarce. Use a hygienic feeder design that’s easy to clean and refill with fresh nectar (four parts water to one part white sugar).
Shelter & Nesting
Add shelter such as trees, shrubs, trellises, and arbors. Leave standing deadwood and leaf litter for nesting materials. Avoid disturbing active nests February through July during breeding season.
Natural Pest Control
Reduce pesticide use which can be toxic to hummingbirds. Encourage natural insect predators like lady bugs, praying mantises, lacewings, and birds. Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap instead of chemicals.
Location Ideas
When planning your yard, note microclimates and landscape aspects that hummingbirds favor:
- Full sun exposure
- Protected from wind
- Near trees/shrubs for perching
- Away from loud noises
- Near water sources
- Areas facing south or west
A little observation will reveal the spots hummingbirds prefer to forage and rest.
Gardening Tips
Follow these tips to ensure your garden flourishes all season long for hummingbirds:
- Deadhead spent blooms to promote new flowers
- Apply slow-release organic fertilizer in spring
- Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses
- Mulch beds to conserve moisture
- Prune shrubs lightly after bloom periods
- Divide crowded perennials in fall or spring
- Control weeds by hand-pulling or with natural mulch
Well-cared for plants with abundant blooms will keep hummingbirds returning to your garden year after year.
Conclusion
By landscaping with diverse nectar-rich plants, providing clean water and feeders, and practicing organic gardening, you can create a welcoming habitat for hummingbirds right in your San Diego backyard. Native plants adapted to the region’s climate offer time-tested sources of food for hummingbirds. Supplement with non-native flowering plants, annuals, vines, shrubs and trees in the colors, shapes and blooming seasons hummingbirds favor. A garden with continuous flowers through the seasons planted in drifts and beds that mimic nature will attract a rainbow of hummingbird species to your outdoor sanctuary.
