What plants do hummingbirds pollinate the most?

Hummingbirds are one of the primary pollinators for many flowering plants, particularly in the Americas. Their long beaks and tongues allow them to reach nectar that other pollinators cannot. As hummingbirds move from flower to flower accessing nectar, pollen sticks to their heads and bodies and is transported to other blossoms enabling pollination. But what types of plants do hummingbirds frequent and pollinate the most? Here we will explore the preferred flowers of hummingbirds and the vital role they play in the pollination of these plants.

What Makes a Flower Attractive to Hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers with certain characteristics:

• Bright red, orange, pink or purple colors – these colors attract hummingbirds from a distance
• Nectar rich in sucrose and fructose – hummingbirds prefer sweeter nectar
• Tubular or funnel shaped blossoms – allows easier access for the long hummingbird beak and tongue
• No scent – hummingbirds have a poor sense of smell so fragrance does not attract them

Flowers that display these traits are more frequently visited and pollinated by hummingbirds. Let’s examine some of the most popular flowering plants for these nectar-loving birds.

Native Plants Hummingbirds Love

Here are some of the top native plants found in North America that attract hummingbirds and rely on them for pollination:

Scarlet Sage

Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) is a popular hummingbird plant native to the southern United States. As a member of the mint family, it produces bright red tubular flowers in the summer and fall. Hummingbirds like broad-tailed, black-chinned, ruby-throated and rufous are frequent visitors to these blooms. The nectar is their main draw, fueling the high metabolisms of these tiny energetic birds. As they move between flowers, scarlet sage pollen is transferred enabling fertilization and seed production.

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a twining vine native to the eastern United States. It produces clusters of bright red tubular flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible. Ruby-throated hummingbirds in particular are the primary pollinators of this climbing plant. They are drawn by the nectar and the flowers’ convenient shape allows them easy access. Trumpet honeysuckle blooms throughout the summer and hummingbirds faithfully visit the flowers throughout their long bloom period.

Indian Blanket

Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) is another summertime bloomer that beckons hummingbirds with its bright flowers. These short-lived perennials produce flowers in vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow. Their daisy-like shape is perfect for hummingbird feeding and pollination. As the birds probe the tubular ray flowers for nectar, pollen covers their heads and faces. When they travel to the next Indian blanket, pollination quickly occurs. These native flowers rely almost exclusively on hummingbirds for this vital task.

Cardinal Flower

With spikes of brilliant red blooms, it’s easy to see why cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is so loved by hummingbirds. This wildflower thrives along stream banks and moist meadows across much of North America. In mid to late summer, the bright flowers attract breeding hummingbirds fueled by the urge to store energy. The rich nectar provides them carbohydrates and the opportunity to transfer pollen from flower to flower. Primary pollinators include ruby-throated hummingbirds in the east and rufous and allen’s hummingbirds out west.

Columbine

With their elegant, bell-shaped blooms, columbine flowers (Aquilegia) put on a showy display that draws in hummingbirds. Their sweet nectar is contained at the base of long tubes which gives hummingbirds exclusive access. Over 30 species of columbine are native to North America. Depending on the region, they are pollinated by black-chinned, broad-tailed, calliope, rufous and other species during their spring and early summer bloom time. The co-dependent relationship between columbines and hummingbirds has existed for thousands of years.

Non-Native Flowering Plants

In addition to native species, hummingbirds also visit and pollinate many garden flowers and naturalized plants that originated in other parts of the world:

Fuchsia

With their drooping tubular flowers, fuchsias are hummingbird superstars. These popular ornamental shrubs produce hundreds of blooms in shades of red, purple, orange, white and pink. Hummingbirds can’t resist the bounty of nectar. As they move from flower to flower, the pollen is spread enabling these non-native plants to produce seeds. Ruby-throated hummingbirds in the east and Anna’s and rufous hummingbirds out west frequent these plants in backyard gardens.

Bee Balm

Also called monarda, bee balm produces dense clusters of tubular flowers in summer. The shaggy blossoms come in shades of red, pink, purple and white. The red varieties are particular favorites of hummingbirds including ruby-throated, black-chinned, broad-tailed and rufous species. They feast on the nectar while simultaneously pollinating the flowers. Hummingbirds continue visiting bee balm through its long summer bloom period. A single plant can have hundreds of blossoms providing ample nourishment.

Weigela

Weigela is a spring-blooming ornamental shrub that produces copious tubular flowers irresistible to hummingbirds. Varieties with red and pink blooms draw the most hummingbird activity, while those with white, yellow or orange flowers are largely ignored. As hummingbirds forage for nectar, weigela pollen covers their heads and faces. When they travel to the next plant, pollination readily occurs. This Asian native relies primarily on hummingbirds rather than bees or other insects for pollination in North America.

Petunia

The common garden petunia produces trumpet-shaped flowers in almost every color except true blue. Hummingbirds favor the red, purple, pink and white varieties over other hues. These non-native flowers bloom spring through fall providing hummingbirds a long season of nectar. As the birds move between plants feeding on the nectar, petunia pollen sticks to them, resulting in thorough pollination. Petunias are annuals that require this yearly transfer of pollen to produce seeds.

Salvia

With nearly 1,000 species, salvia is a large group of plants in the mint family that includes garden sage. Many types produce long clusters of tubular flowers in red, pink, purple and white that attract hummingbirds. Pineapple sage, Mexican bush sage and scarlet sage are popular hummingbird pollinated varieties. Their long bloom season provides food for hummingbirds and their efficient pollination services in return.

Ornamental Flowers Dependent on Hummingbirds

In addition to wildflowers and native plants, many ornamental flowers beloved in gardens rely on hummingbirds as essential pollinators:

Without diligent hummingbird pollinators visiting these flowers as they drink nectar, seed production would decline dramatically. Gardeners wishing to attract more hummingbirds often incorporate plants from this list into their landscape plans.

The Importance of Hummingbird Pollination

Hummingbirds and the plants they pollinate rely on each other for survival. As hummingbirds access nectar inside the flowers for food, pollen sticks to their heads, beaks, chins and throats. When they visit the next flower, some of the pollen rubs off enabling pollination and subsequent seed and fruit production. Without this essential service, many wildflowers and ornamental flowers would fail to reproduce. The plants provide food for the birds in exchange for pollination.

This mutually beneficial relationship has evolved over millennia between hummingbirds and their favorite blossoms. The shapes, colors and nectar perfectly complement the hummingbirds’ needs. In fact, some flowers would not exist without these birds to pollinate them. On the other hand, hummingbirds obtain essential food from the blooms they pollinate. It’s a classic example of the interconnectedness of living organisms.

Threats to Hummingbird Pollination

Anything that threatens hummingbird populations also threatens the many plants that rely on them for pollination. Habitat loss is one of the largest dangers facing hummingbirds. Urbanization and conversion of land for agriculture destroys the open spaces where their preferred flowers grow. Climate change can also disrupt the timing between plant flowering and hummingbird migration. If flowers bloom before or after hummingbirds arrive, pollination will not occur.

Pesticides also impact hummingbird pollination. Chemicals applied to flowers can kill or weaken the birds after they ingest traces while feeding. Herbicides that eliminate flowering plants and weeds strip away food sources hummingbirds need. Providing a chemical-free landscape with diverse nectar flowers can help counteract these threats to hummingbird pollinators.

Ways to Support Hummingbird Pollinators

Here are some steps gardeners and landowners can take to support hummingbirds and the native plants they pollinate:

• Plant a variety of tubular flowers in red, orange, pink and purple hues
• Choose both native and non-native flowers that bloom spring through fall
• Avoid pesticides which can poison hummingbirds
• Install feeders with sugar water to supplement their diet
• Provide shrubs and trees that hummingbirds can nest in
• Eliminate mosquito breeding areas to prevent diseases
• Report sightings and join conservation groups like Audubon

Even small actions like putting up a feeder, planting a pollinator garden or reporting sightings can help preserve hummingbirds. Promoting their populations ensures the survival of the many plants that depend on them for pollination.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds and flowering plants have an interconnected relationship that benefits both groups. Plants provide the essential nectar that fuels these fast-flying birds. In return, hummingbirds transfer pollen between blossoms enabling fertilization and seed production. Some of the top plants frequented and pollinated by hummingbirds include native species like scarlet sage, trumpet honeysuckle, Indian blanket and cardinal flower. Non-native flowers such as fuchsia, bee balm, weigela and petunia also draw in hummingbirds. By supporting these important pollinators through thoughtful gardening practices, we can ensure the survival of the many plants that depend on them to thrive.