Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden: Top 15 Plants That Are Good For Them

Plants That Are Good For Hummingbirds

Are you an avid bird watcher or simply want to enjoy the beauty of nature in your backyard? If so, consider attracting hummingbirds to your garden. These tiny birds are not only fascinating to watch but also play a crucial role in pollination. To attract hummingbirds, you need to plant nectar-rich flowers that provide them with the energy they need to fly and thrive. Here are 15 plants that are good for hummingbirds:

1. Bee Balm

Overview

Bee balm, also known as monarda, is a perennial herb that produces fragrant, tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. The flowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall and attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Care Tips

Bee balm prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It requires regular watering during dry spells and benefits from deadheading to prolong flowering.

2. Cardinal Flower

Overview

The cardinal flower is a native wildflower that produces bright red, tubular flowers on tall spikes. The flowers bloom in late summer and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care Tips

Cardinal flower prefers moist soil and partial shade. It can tolerate full sun if the soil is kept consistently moist. It benefits from regular watering and deadheading to promote more blooms.

3. Trumpet Creeper

Overview

The trumpet creeper is a vigorous vine that produces orange-red, trumpet-shaped flowers in mid-summer. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds but can be invasive in some areas.

Care Tips

Trumpet creeper prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It requires regular watering during dry spells and benefits from pruning to control its growth.

4. Salvia

Overview

Salvia, also known as sage, is a perennial herb that produces spikes of blue, purple, pink, or red flowers. The flowers bloom from summer to fall and attract hummingbirds and bees.

Care Tips

Salvia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It requires moderate watering and benefits from deadheading to prolong flowering.

5. Columbine

Overview

Columbine is a perennial wildflower that produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, blue, and white. The flowers bloom in spring and early summer and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care Tips

Columbine prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It requires moderate watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

6. Fuchsia

Overview

Fuchsia is a tender perennial plant that produces pendulous, tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. The flowers bloom from spring to fall and are highly attractive to hummingbirds.

Care Tips

Fuchsia prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It requires regular watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

7. Lantana

Overview

Lantana is a shrub that produces clusters of small, round flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. The flowers bloom from spring to fall and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care Tips

Lantana prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant but benefits from moderate watering during prolonged dry spells.

8. Butterfly Bush

Overview

Butterfly bush, also known as buddleia, is a shrub that produces long, conical spikes of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow. The flowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Care Tips

Butterfly bush prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It requires moderate watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

9. Honeysuckle

Overview

Honeysuckle is a vine or shrub that produces fragrant, tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow. The flowers bloom from spring to fall and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Care Tips

Honeysuckle prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It requires regular watering and benefits from pruning to control its growth.

10. Penstemon

Overview

Penstemon, also known as beardtongue, is a perennial wildflower that produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and blue. The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care Tips

Penstemon prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It requires moderate watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

11. Lupine

Overview

Lupine is a perennial wildflower that produces tall spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, red, and white. The flowers bloom in late spring and early summer and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Care Tips

Lupine prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It requires moderate watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

12. Red Hot Poker

Overview

Red hot poker, also known as torch lily, is a perennial plant that produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. The flowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care Tips

Red hot poker prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It requires moderate watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

13. Yarrow

Overview

Yarrow is a perennial wildflower that produces flat clusters of tiny, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, and white. The flowers bloom from spring to fall and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Care Tips

Yarrow prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant but benefits from moderate watering during prolonged dry spells.

14. Phlox

Overview

Phlox is a perennial wildflower that produces clusters of fragrant, tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. The flowers bloom from mid-summer to early fall and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care Tips

Phlox prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It requires regular watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

15. Zinnia

Overview

Zinnia is an annual or perennial plant that produces colorful, daisy-like flowers in shades of orange, yellow, pink, red, and white. The flowers bloom from summer to fall and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Care Tips

Zinnia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It requires regular watering and benefits from deadheading to promote more blooms.

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, planting nectar-rich flowers is the way to go. The 15 plants listed above are not only good for hummingbirds but also add color and beauty to your garden. By providing these tiny birds with a source of food and shelter, you can create a peaceful and enjoyable environment for both you and the hummingbirds.

FAQs

Q1. How do I attract hummingbirds to my garden?

To attract hummingbirds, you need to plant nectar-rich flowers that provide them with the energy they need to fly and thrive. You can also provide them with a source of water, such as a birdbath or fountain.

Q2. What is the best time of day to see hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon when the temperature is cooler. They may also feed throughout the day if there are enough nectar-rich flowers available.

Q3. How do I care for hummingbirds in my garden?

Aside from providing them with a source of food and water, you should avoid using pesticides and chemicals in your garden, as these can harm hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Q4. Can I feed hummingbirds with sugar water?

Yes, you can make your own hummingbird nectar by mixing one part white granulated sugar with four parts water. Boil the mixture for one to two minutes, let it cool, and then fill your hummingbird feeder with it.

Q5. What else can I do to help hummingbirds?

You can support organizations that protect and conserve hummingbirds, such as the Hummingbird Society or BirdLife International. You can also participate in citizen science projects that track hummingbird populations and migration patterns.