Hummingbirds are some of the most amazing creatures on earth. Their ability to hover mid-air and fly backwards sets them apart from other birds. To keep up their high energy lifestyle, hummingbirds need to eat often, consuming up to half their body weight in nectar each day. Because of this, planting the right flowers to attract hummingbirds is crucial.
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds get most of their energy from drinking nectar from flowers. They have long slender beaks and tongues that are perfectly adapted for reaching into flowers and lapping up the sweet nectar inside. Hummingbirds also eat small insects for protein. They need this protein boost to build muscle and produce eggs. Some favorite insect foods are fruit flies, mosquitoes, gnats, caterpillars, spiders, and aphids.
What types of flowers do hummingbirds like?
Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers with these characteristics:
- Bright red, orange, pink or purple flowers – they cannot see the color green
- Narrow, tubular shaped flowers that match their long beaks
- Fragrant flowers with little to no scent
- Flowers with high nectar content – at least 25% sugar
Some of their favorite flower varieties include:
- Bee balm
- Cardinals
- Columbine
- Coral bells
- Fuchsia
- Impatiens
- Lantana
- Petunias
- Sage
- Snapdragons
- Trumpet creeper
- Zinnias
Best flowers for hummingbirds by season
Different flowers bloom at different times of the year. Here are some of the best flowers for providing nectar in each season:
Spring
- Azaleas
- Columbine
- Honeysuckle
- Lilacs
- Penstemon
- Sage
- Trumpet vine
Summer
- Bee balms
- Cardinal flowers
- Crocosmias
- Fuchsias
- Hostas
- Petunias
- Sages
- Snapdragons
- Weigelas
Fall
- Cleomes
- Coral bells
- Firebush
- Fuchsias
- Lantanas
- Salvias
- Verbenas
- Zinnias
Planting a variety of the flowers that bloom in each season will provide nectar for hummingbirds from spring through fall.
Where to plant flowers for hummingbirds
When deciding where to plant hummingbird flowers, consider these factors:
- Sunlight – Most hummingbird flowers do best in full sun locations. Look for areas that receive at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
- Color – Group bright colored flowers together to create a target area of color that will attract hummingbirds from a distance.
- Wind protection – Shelter flowering plants from strong wind, which can make it challenging for hummingbirds to hover while feeding.
- Water source – Having a nearby water feature like a fountain, mister or bird bath will provide water for hummingbirds to drink and bathe.
How to organize hummingbird garden plants
There are a few ways to organize the plants in your yard to create an inviting space for hummingbirds:
- Flower beds – Plant hummingbird flowers together in beds around your yard. Go for bold colors and groupings of the same flowers for maximum visual appeal.
- Borders – Use hummingbird flowers as edging plants along fences, walkways, and around the perimeter of planting beds.
- Container gardens – Fill pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets with flowering hummingbird plants.
- Arbors/trellises – Train vining plants like trumpet vines, passionflowers, and honeysuckle on vertical structures.
How to care for hummingbird garden plants
Proper care will keep your hummingbird garden plants healthy and blooming. Here are some tips:
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flower production.
- Apply fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
- Water 1-2 inches per week, adjusting for rainfall.
- Prune shrubs/vines in fall or winter when dormant.
- Divide crowded perennial plants in spring or fall.
- Refresh mulch around plants each year to retain moisture.
- Remove weeds which can compete for water and nutrients.
How to attract hummingbirds
Besides planting flowers, there are some other tactics you can use to encourage more hummingbird activity in your yard:
- Put up feeders with sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Place them near flowers and refill regularly.
- Provide a water source like a mister, fountain, or bird bath for drinking and bathing.
- Supplement flowers with nectar-rich flowering trees/shrubs like fuchsia and weigela.
- Add a tubular feeder with fruit flies or other insects to provide protein.
- Avoid using pesticides which can poison hummingbirds.
- Be patient! It can take 1-2 weeks for hummingbirds to discover new food sources.
Best plants for hummingbirds by US region
The best hummingbird plants vary somewhat by region. Here are top recommendations based on climate:
Northeast
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flowers
- Columbine
- Coral bells
- Hostas
- Impatiens
- Petunias
- Phlox
- Sage
- Snapdragons
- Trumpet creeper
Southeast
- Angel trumpet
- Azaleas
- Columbine
- Fuchsia
- Hostas
- Impatiens
- Lantana
- Petunias
- Sage
- Verbena
- Zinnias
Southwest
- Agastache
- Bird of paradise
- Chuparosa
- Cleome
- Coral bells
- Desert willow
- Fuchsia
- Penstemon
- Salvia
- Texas lantana
- Trumpet vine
Northwest
- Columbine
- Coral bells
- Delphiniums
- Fuchsia
- Honeysuckle
- Lavender
- Lilacs
- Penstemon
- Petunias
- Sage
- Snapdragons
Midwest
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Columbine
- Coral bells
- Delphinium
- Hollyhock
- Hosta
- Lupine
- Petunia
- Phlox
- Sage
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are a joy to watch and have around the garden. With their tiny size and high energy lifestyle, they need to visit hundreds of flowers per day for food. Providing the right types of flowering plants will attract and sustain hummingbirds in your yard. Focus on tubular red, orange and pink flowers, organize into bold beds and borders, and offer supplemental nectar with feeders. With a little planning and tweaking for your region, you can create a lush, colorful hummingbird habitat for these amazing little creatures.
