Hummingbirds are attracted to certain trees and bushes that provide them with food in the form of nectar and insects. The main things that attract hummingbirds to trees and bushes are bright tubular flowers that provide nectar, an abundance of small insects that they eat, and safe places to perch, nest and roost. By landscaping with plants that offer these things, you can create an ideal habitat to view and enjoy hummingbirds.
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and the small insects that are attracted to flowers. Their long slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for reaching into tubular flowers to extract the nectar. While they get some insects from flowers, they also hawk flying insects and glean other small insects from leaves and branches. A good habitat will provide both nectar-rich flowers and insects.
What do hummingbirds look for in trees and bushes?
Hummingbirds are attracted to trees and bushes that provide:
- An abundance of tubular flowers that produce lots of nectar
- Small insects on the flowers and leaves
- Protected perching locations
- Nesting sites
- Safe roosting spots for the night
When landscaping to attract hummingbirds, choose a variety of trees and shrubs that will provide these things from early spring through late summer. The plants should include both native and exotic species with different bloom times to supply nectar throughout the season.
Best Flowering Trees to Attract Hummingbirds
Here are some of the best trees that hummingbirds are attracted to because they produce an abundance of tubular flowers rich in nectar:
Mimosa
The mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) is also known as the silk tree. It produces large, fluffy pink flowers that bloom in summer. Mimosa trees grow quickly and can reach 30 feet tall. The flowers look like pink powder puffs and attract hummingbirds with their high nectar content. Mimosas also provide good insect habitat.
Tulip Tree
The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) provides copious nectar from its large, yellow-orange, tulip-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. Tulip trees are very tall, reaching over 100 feet. Their height provides good visibility for spotting hummingbirds.
Trumpet Creeper
Trumpet creepers are woody vines that produce bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers in summer. Hummingbirds love trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) for its tubular nectar-rich blooms. It’s an aggressive spreader and needs a trellis or fence for support. Trumpet honeysuckle is another good vining plant.
Royal Paulownia
Royal paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) is a fast-growing tree that can reach 40 feet tall. In spring it is covered with large clusters of light purple flowers. The abundant nectar attracts hummingbirds. It is known as the princess tree or empress tree.
Beech
Beech trees like the American beech (Fagus grandifolia) provide early spring flowers. The small red flowers emerge right when hummingbirds arrive from migration. Beech trees also support lots of insects for hummingbirds to eat.
Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush refers to Callistemon species of ornamental trees from Australia with fluffy, bottle brush-like flowers. Bottlebrushes produce bright red, nectar-rich, tubular flowers in summer that attract hummingbirds. They grow 10-15 feet tall.
Crabapple
Crabapple trees bloom very early in spring with lots of pretty pink or white flowers that provide nectar for hummingbirds. The spring blooms are also an important early source of nectar for bees. Crabapples grow 15-25 feet tall.
| Tree | Flowers | Height | Bloom Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mimosa | Pink, powder puff | 20-30 ft | Summer |
| Tulip Tree | Orange-yellow, tulip shaped | Over 100 ft | Spring |
| Trumpet Creeper | Orange, trumpet shaped | Vining | Summer |
| Royal Paulownia | Purple clusters | 40 ft | Spring |
| Beech | Small red | 50-70 ft | Early spring |
| Bottlebrush | Red, bottle brush shaped | 10-15 ft | Summer |
| Crabapple | Pink or white | 15-25 ft | Early spring |
Best Flowering Bushes for Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are also attracted to many species of flowering shrubs. Here are some of the best bushes for hummingbirds:
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bushes (Buddleia) are aptly named because their fragrant, nectar-laden blooms attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. Butterfly bushes produce flowers in shades of purple, pink, red and white on long panicles from summer to fall. They grow 5-12 feet tall.
Fuchsia
The drooping, tubular flowers of fuchsia bushes hold lots of nectar for hummingbirds. Fuchsias bloom prolifically in shades of red, purple and pink from spring to frost. Hummingbirds love them. Winter hardy varieties grow 3-6 feet tall.
Abelia
Abelia is a semi-evergreen bush with arching stems of small, tubular white to pink flowers from summer to fall. Hummingbirds feed on the nectar. Abelia grows 4-6 feet tall and wide.
Firethorn
Firethorns or pyracantha produce clusters of tiny white flowers in spring followed by bright orange berries. The spring flowers attract hummingbirds. Firethorn is an evergreen shrub that grows 6-12 feet tall.
Weigela
Weigela is a deciduous flowering shrub that blooms prolifically in spring with trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. Most varieties have red or pink blooms, but there are also white and yellow varieties. Weigela grows 5-10 feet tall.
Honeysuckle
Non-vining honeysuckle shrubs produce colorful, nectar-rich tubular flowers that hummingbirds love. Bush honeysuckles like winter honeysuckle and Lonicera tatarica have white or pink blooms and grow 6-10 feet tall.
Cape Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) is tropical shrub with beautiful orange-red flowers most of the year. Cape honeysuckle blooms heavily in winter in frost-free climates, providing nectar when other flowers are scarce. It grows 6-8 feet tall.
| Bush | Flowers | Height | Bloom Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Bush | Purple, pink, red, white | 5-12 ft | Summer-Fall |
| Fuchsia | Red, purple, pink | 3-6 ft | Spring-Frost |
| Abelia | White, pink | 4-6 ft | Summer-Fall |
| Firethorn | White | 6-12 ft | Spring |
| Weigela | Red, pink, white, yellow | 5-10 ft | Spring |
| Bush Honeysuckle | White, pink | 6-10 ft | Summer |
| Cape Honeysuckle | Orange-red | 6-8 ft | Year-round |
Plants to Avoid
Some common garden plants that people mistakenly think attract hummingbirds should be avoided. Here are some of the top ones to steer clear of:
Chinese Lantern
Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi) has bright orange pods that look like flowers, leading some people to assume hummingbirds are attracted to them. But the pods do not produce nectar, so hummingbirds have no interest in them.
Petunias
Petunias are popular garden flowers, but their wide, flat shape makes it impossible for a hummingbird to access any nectar. So petunias don’t bring in the hummingbirds. Tubular flower shapes are needed.
Dahlias
Like petunias, dahlias have open face flowers with no tubular corollas for hummingbirds to insert their long beaks into to reach any nectar. So dahlias won’t attract these nectar-loving birds even though they come in bright, vivid colors.
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart appears to have tubular drooping flowers that would appeal to hummingbirds. But the shape is deceiving. Their flowers do not produce any nectar, so bleeding hearts are not a good plant for attracting hummingbirds.
Nasturtiums
No matter how bright and cheery their flower colors, nasturtiums do not attract hummingbirds. Their open, shallow flowers lack accessible nectar. Plant tubular flowers instead.
Hostas
The colorful leaves of hostas are eye-catching in shady gardens but they have no flowers and do not appeal to hummingbirds. For shade choose tubular-flowered plants like impatiens and fuchsias.
When and Where to Plant for Hummingbirds
Early Blooms
Hummingbirds arrive back from migration as early as January in warm climates and February and March in more northerly regions. Having very early flowering plants in your landscape will provide a welcome food source. The earliest blooms come from trees like ornamental cherries and pears, magnolias, crabapples and redbuds. Early flowering perennials include columbine and coral bells.
Continuous Bloom
Hummingbirds start nesting in late winter and spring. To provide nectar for the energy needs of breeding, nesting and rearing chicks, plant for continuous bloom from early spring through late summer. Summer flowering trees, vines, bushes and perennials will ensure bloom overlap so there’s always a nectar supply.
Feeders as Supplements
It’s best to rely mainly on flowering plants to nourish hummingbirds rather than feeders. But well-maintained feeders can be a helpful supplement. Use sugar-water mixes made specifically for hummingbirds, change it frequently, and clean feeders thoroughly to prevent mold and bacteria.
Sheltered Locations
Hummingbirds appreciate protected locations out of strong winds and rain where they can rest and take shelter. Trees, trellises, tall shrubs and patio covers provide shelter. Place feeders in protected spots. Provide water drippers or fine mist sprayers for bathing.
Night Roosting Sites
Hummingbirds go into a state of torpor at night to conserve energy. Provide protected roosting sites in your yard. Dense trees and shrubs work well, allowing the birds to roost hidden from predators.
Regional Differences
Western States
In the West, hummingbirds arrive in early spring drawn by the blooms of flowering trees like ornamental cherry, crabapple and plum. Summer flowers that attract western hummingbirds include trumpet vine, trumpet creeper, penstemon, lupine, mimulus, columbine and delphinium.
Southwestern States
Desert plants like ocotillo, aloe, agave, chuparosa, and desert honeysuckle provide nectar for southwestern hummingbirds. Flowers of trees like eucalyptus, cassia and silk oak also support these tiny birds. Bottlebrush, pineapple sage and salvia are good plant choices for the Southwest.
Southeastern States
Southeastern hummingbirds get an early spring boost from the flowers of ornamental peach, pear, plum and cherry trees along with red buckeye and eastern redbud. Summer flowers that appeal to them include cross vine, trumpet creeper, coral honeysuckle, bee balm, Turk’s cap lily and cardinal flower.
Northeastern States
In the Northeast, early spring bloomers that hummingbirds rely on include flowering dogwood, apple, crabapple, lilac, honeysuckle and columbine. Summer flowers they visit include bee balm, cardinal flower, hosta, fuchsia, and weigela. Trumpet vine does well if given a protected location.
Midwestern States
Midwestern hummingbirds find food from the flowers of ornamental fruit trees, lilac, honeysuckle, and chokecherry in spring. Summer plants that attract them include mimosa, morning glory, cardinal climber, bee balm, trumpet vine, coral bells and hosta.
Provide Habitat All Season
The key to successfully attracting hummingbirds is providing a diverse habitat with:
- Plentiful tubular flowers that offer nectar from early spring to late summer
- Water for bathing and drinking
- Protected locations for nesting, roosting and shelter from the elements
- Different plant heights for feeding at all levels
- Both native and exotic plant species
- Continuous bloom succession for non-stop nectar
With the right plants and habitat, you can enjoy the excitement, beauty and wonder of hummingbirds all season long. They are amazing little visitors that will brighten your landscape.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are attracted to both native and exotic trees and bushes that provide them with high-energy nectar from tubular flowers. By landscaping with the right mix of plants that bloom in succession from spring through late summer, you can create a hummingbird haven. Choose flowers in colors that attract hummingbirds like red, orange, pink and purple. Plant in protected spots and add other habitat features like small insects, water drippers, sheltering trees and night roosts. With the proper habitat, you’ll be rewarded with hours of special moments watching the lightning-fast antics of ruby-throated, rufous, Anna’s and other remarkable hummingbirds.
