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Thebest hummingbird flowersfeature bright blooms, tubular shapes to accommodate their long bills, and plentiful nectar.
No matter what growing zone you’re in, there are many annual and perennialplants to attract hummingbirds.
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This flower typically grows two to four feet tall and requires dividing every three to four years.
It will self-seed freely in the garden unless you deadhead the flowers after they bloom.
Itsrich red bloomsare delicate, making it attractive as a garden plant and food source for hummingbirds.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Cardinal flowers are relatively short-lived, however they self-seed (no division required) and often colonize permanently.
Cultivars are categorized by growth habit and flower shape, and heights range from 6 inches to 4 feet.
Once hummingbirds have drank the nectar, seeds develop, making them idealplants to feed birdslike finches.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Zinnias like moist soil, but are susceptible to fungal diseases in humidity or when the foliage gets wet.
Give ample space for air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
Salvia
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
The largeSalviagenus has several annual and perennial species.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Cultivars ofSalvia nemarosaorSalviagreggii,also known asautumn sage, are usually grown in the garden.
Tall stems with small flowers make salvia great for the backs or centers of flowerbeds.
Perennial salvia flowers emerge in mid-summer and bloom through late summerand flower repeatedly if kept moist.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Foliage may turn yellow and die in the heat of summer, but the plants reliably return each spring.
It likes moist soil that is well-drained to prevent root rot.
Warning
Buddleia davidiiis aninvasive plantin some regions, so check with local authorities before planting it.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Its dense foliage and long, tubular flowers are perfect for hummingbirds.
It thrives best in full sun to partial shade.
Beware of its invasive properties and aggressive growth.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Frequent pruning is necessary to keep it from overwhelming a garden or escaping into surrounding areas.
No division is necessary, but they should be replanted every three years or so.
In hotter climates, lupines are oftengrown as annuals.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Columbine is most often used as anedging plantaround fences and flower beds.
It grows from 1 to 3 feet high, depending on the variety.
Removing the flower stems after blooming will prompt additional flowers.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Petunia
Petunias are one of the mostpopular annual flowerssince they are very easy to grow and inexpensive.
The flower thrives best in full sun and will bloom repeatedly, providing abundant nectar for hungry hummingbirds.
Penstemon
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.)
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
flowers are an ideal addition to your bird-friendly landscape.
Perennial penstemons are easy to grow from seed, drought tolerant, and provide nectar throughout the summer.
you could train this easy-to-care-for vining plant to grow up a trellis to get sun.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
While trumpet honeysuckles are drought tolerant, regular watering helps promote abundant blooms.
Coral honeysuckle, as it is also known, is a great alternative to the invasive non-nativecommon honeysuckle.
Selecting native plants that thrive inyour area is preferential for supporting local wildlife.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Plant them in a partial-shade location with rich, well-draining soil.
Bydeadheading spent blooms, birds can enjoy flowers from summer to fall.
Be aware the tobacco flower is toxic to humansand pets.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Delphinium
Delphinium are ideal early-summer, long-bloomers.
Their abundant flower spikes make a statement incottage garden designsand beyond.
Plant in the sun in loamy, well-draining soil, and keep them evenly moist.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The perennials do best in regions with cool summers with average temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
While they dislike heavy heat (they thrive between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit), they enjoy humidity.
It loves neutral, well-drained soil and the bright blooms should get about an inch of water per week.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Though, the plants do self-seed and will produce a bevy of flowers year after year.
With heights up to 5 feet tall, these flowers bloom in early summer and love slightly acidic soil.
Daylily
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Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Plant these flowers in early spring or early fall at least one month before a hard frost.
Cuphea
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Not only do tubular cuphea (Cuphea spp.)
blooms attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, but they also resist pests and require little maintenance.
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Also known as cigar or firecracker plants, cuphea are resistant to drought and love full sun.
However, they do produce even more blooms when their soil is kept moist as they grow.
Between the 250 species and numerous cultivars, choose one that is amenable to your areas climate.
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Most have a sprawling growth habit and should be planted in spring or early fall.
These perennials love well-drained soil as amenable to a variety of acidity levels.
Some even have variegated blooms.
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These plants like partial sunlight but will tolerate full sun, and need regular watering during their blooming season.
These herbaceous perennials like well-draining soil and full sun, though some afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates.
Indigenous to Mexico and the southwestern U.S., hummingbird mint has a high heat and drought tolerance.
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It is particularly well planted in containers or xeriscape gardens.
They are often slow to set flowers, but they can bloom by mid summer with regular watering.
Morning glory love full sun and well-drained soil.
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Canna Lily
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Canna lily (Canna spp.)
shows off with petals in vibrant shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, and more.
The best hummingbird flowers for hanging planters include nasturtiums, petunias, fuchsias, and bee balm.
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Native red or orange tubular flowers with ample nectar are most attractive to hummingbirds.
Orange Eye Butterfly Bush.U.S.
Department of Agriculture Plants Database.
Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Nicotiana.
Larkspur, ASPCA
Flowers vs. Feeders: Hummers Buzz for Native Nectar.Project FeederWatch.
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