20 Plants That Attract Hummingbirds To Your Garden
Wondering which flower varieties to plant to get your garden humming? These beautiful flowers are ideal for hummingbirds, with their long, narrow beaks designed to reach deep into the necks of tubular flowers. There are also some small flower varieties if you don't have a lot of room in your garden.
Building a garden with diverse trees, shrubs, and flowers helps draw these nectar-loving birds to your landscape. Discover these cheerful flower species that not only look stunning but will invite hummingbirds to visit.
Here are our top picks to attract hummingbirds.
Lydia? Tecoma
Botanical Name: Tecoma
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.1-6.5)
Unlike traditional varieties, Lydia blooms from early spring until the first frost. This flower grows more compactly and has fewer seed pods than Tecoma, so it's an excellent choice for smaller gardens. Continuously blooming in bright yellow petals, the Lydia Tecoma makes great cut flowers. Plant in full sun in well-draining soil. Water well until established, and then the plant is drought-tolerant. Deadhead flowers to promote new growth.
Bells of Fire? Tecoma
Botanical Name: Tecoma
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.1-6.5)
An evergreen mid-sized shrub with a subtropical to tropical appearance and red-orange bell-shaped flowers, this new variety is more compact and has more color range than other Tecomas. This fast-growing plant flowers from summer to fall, but deadheading will promote new growth. It tolerates full sun and heat. Butterflies also love this species.
Saucy? Wine Salvia
Botanical Name: Salvia splendens
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5)
This stunning Salvia variety has a neat but vigorous plant habit, lush green foliage covered with burgundy-red flowers, and spikes from April to November. It is low-maintenance, sterile, and self-cleaning, so there is no need to deadhead. This flower always looks full yet tidy. Plant in full to partial sun in loamy or sandy soil, and provide average water.
Saucy? Red Salvia
Botanical Name: Salvia splendens
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5)
A gorgeous Salvia variety with a neat but vigorous plant habit and lush green foliage, Saucy Red is covered with a sizzling scarlet-red flower that spikes from April to November. Grow this Salvia in a cutting garden or as a border or container plant. The plant is sterile and self-cleaning, so there's no need to deadhead. Plant in full to part sun in rich, fertile soil that is loamy or sandy. Use mulch one or two inches deep around the plant, but avoid the stem.
Stars and Stripes? Pentas
Botanical Name: Pentas lanceolata
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.0)
Hummingbirds will buzz around these vivid red flowers with pink centers. Stars and Stripes? Pentas produce abundant clusters of blooms from spring to fall. Attractive variegation marks the foliage. They don't require much care other than lots of sun, water, and heat. Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms.
Ultra Violet? Buddleia
Botanical Name: Buddleia
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
The lush violet, drooping flowers of buddleia (commonly referred to as butterfly bush) will also draw honeybees and hummingbirds to your yard. Plant this deciduous shrub in a border garden or a container, give it full sun for best results, and watch it rebloom from spring to fall. Removing blooms for cut flowers will help promote new growth.
Ever Sapphire? Agapanthus
Botanical Name: Agapanthus
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, chalky, clay, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (5.5-7.5)
This semi-dwarf, drought-tolerant plant produces vibrant blue blooms on stalks that can grow up to two feet tall. It grows quickly, is resistant to many pests, and comes back every year. It blooms in early spring and reblooms throughout summer. Cut showy stems for a seasonal arrangement.
Solar Glow? Sunbow? Azalea Series
Botanical Name: Rhododendron
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (4.5-6.0)
This brilliant spring-blooming deciduous azalea has larger, more colorful, and more showy blooms. Bright orange blossoms stand out against small green leaves. It works great in light shade and sunny locations. They are fairly drought tolerant but provide supplemental water during extended dry spells. With the added attraction of honey-suckle fragrance, these are a great addition to your garden.
Related: Native Azaleas Deserve A Spot In Your Southern Garden
Crazy Pink? Echinacea
Botanical Name: Echinacea
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
Large daisy-like flowers with drooping, pink petals surround a large orange button-shaped cone. Blooms appear earlier than other coneflowers. This flower brings power blooming to the border garden, capable of over 100 flowers on a mature plant. Give them full to partial sun and well-draining soil. Prune after the fall bloom.
Love and Wishes? Salvia
Botanical Name: Salvia
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5)
These tough plants bloom in deep purple flowers from early spring until the first frost. This Salvia will form a display of color in your yard with no pruning or deadheading unless you want to promote new growth. These flowers are deer-resistant and blossom on dark, glossy green leaves. Grow these in full sun with well-draining soil. They do well in container gardens.
Miss Lemon? Abelia
Botanical Name: Abelia Hybrid 'Hopleys'
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5)
Deer-resistant abelia shows off variegated yellow-and-green leaves and produces light pink flowers from summer through fall. Plant this easy-to-care-for shrub along a border, in a raised bed, or in a container in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil. It is heat and drought-tolerant. A mature plant can reach three feet tall and four feet wide.
Cosmic Firestorm? Lantanas
Botanical Name: Lantana
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)
Cosmic Firestorm lantanas deliver year-round color to your yard in red, orange, yellow, and multi-colored options. This long-blooming, drought-resistant plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with its fiery-colored flowers. Lantana is typically cold-hardy, but some species are more tolerant than others. It is easy to grow in almost any average soil if it is moist, well-drained, and given full sun.
Light Show? Red Bottlebrush
Botanical Name: Callistemon viminalis
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy, loamy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0-8.0)
This rugged, drought-tolerant dwarf shrub shows off dense emerald foliage and scarlet red flowers. Light Show? Red Bottlebrush is a heat-tolerant plant that thrives in full sun from spring through summer. Mature plants can reach three to four feet tall and two to three feet wide. This shrub tolerates heat, salt, and dry conditions. Give it full sun and well-draining soil.
Columbine
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Botanical Name: Aquilegia spp.
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)
Tall flower spikes that rise from lobed green foliage attract hummingbirds to the garden. Some flowers have double blooms, face upward, or have spurs. Bright blooms come in nearly every color of the rainbow, including blue, green, purple, pink, white, red, and yellow. Columbine plants are short-lived, cool-weather perennials that self-seed. They grow in partially shaded woodland gardens or sunnier rock gardens and prefer moist, well-drained soil.
Related: How To Grow And Care For Columbine Plants
Bee Balm
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Botanical Name: Monarda didyma
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)
Other than bees, the blooms on this plant attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Open, daisy-like flower heads with tube-shaped petals of red, pink, purple, and white appear in summer. Provide full sun, regular water, and any fertile soil, including clay, as long as it’s moist and well-drained. Prune in late spring. This easy-care plant comes back every year and multiplies.
Petunia
Alison Miksch
Botanical Name: Petunia spp.
Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)
Give petunias full sun to light shade, moderate water, and almost any soil, and they will reward you and garden visitors with colorful flowers from spring through fall. Tubular blooms can be single or double in vibrant colors like pink, red, orange, white, purple, green, and yellow. They tolerate poor soil as long as it is well-drained. Deadhead to promote new blooms.
Heuchera
Getty Images / Gratysanna
Botanical Name: Heuchera
Sun Exposure: Full shade to partial sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral, slightly acidic (6.0-7.0)
Slender, delicate coral-colored flowers rise above heuchera foliage in spring and summer. Also called coral bells, they are not planted for their flowers, but hummingbirds love them. Chartreuse, orange-red, purple, silver, bronze, and purple-black foliage attracts gardeners. Plant in shade or morning sun with afternoon shade in moist, well-draining soil. They tolerate poor soil as long as it’s well-drained, heat, humidity, cold, and a range of lighting conditions.
Related: How To Grow And Care For Heuchera
Cardinal Flower
Botanical Name: Lobelia cardinalis
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (5.5-7.0)
Tall, showy red tubular flower spikes draw attention in the garden. Growing 3-4 feet tall, these North American natives can be found along streams, swamps, and other moist areas. They are fast-growing in full to partial sun and evenly moist soil. They depend on hummingbirds for pollination. Cardinal flower is toxic to pets and humans.
Trumpet Creeper
Botanical Name: Campsis radicans
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, loamy, sandy, clay
Soil pH: Acidic (3.7-6.8)
Clusters of orange trumpet-shaped flowers give this vine its name. It grows quickly, climbing trees, fences, and other structures. Maintain it by growing it on an arbor or trellis away from other structures, planting near concrete to reduce the risk of spread, or planting in an area that can be mowed. Give this vine lots of sun for the most blooms. It is self-seeding and fast spreading, making it invasive in some areas. It is mildly toxic to pets and people.
Related: How To Grow Trumpet Vine Without It Taking Over Your Garden
Delphinium
Botanical Name: Delphinium
Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Alkaline, neutral (6.5-7.5)
These tall, bright spikes can reach 6 feet tall, adding color and drama to the garden. Blooming in shades of pink, red, blue, yellow, white, and lavender, they die back every fall and regrow every spring. Give delphiniums afternoon shade in hotter climates and shelter them from strong wind and rain. They may wilt during hot afternoon temperatures and humidity. Keep humus-rich, well-drained soil consistently moist. Apply mulch to conserve moisture but do not place it close to the stems. Delphinium is toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and people.
Related: How To Grow And Care For Delphinium Flowers
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