There is something magical about watching a hummingbird hover over a flower, pause for a split second, and disappear almost as quickly as it arrived. If you want to bring these tiny, energetic birds into your yard, choosing the right plants can make a remarkable difference.
The best flowers for hummingbirds generally produce nectar-rich blooms that are easy for hummingbirds to reach. Many have tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers, while others attract hummingbirds because of their abundant nectar and bright, visible blooms.
From perennial favorites and colorful annuals to hanging basket flowers for hummingbirds and plants that also attract butterflies, there are plenty of choices for almost every garden.
What Are the Best Flowers for Hummingbirds?
If you’re wondering what are the best flowers for hummingbirds, start with plants that offer plenty of nectar and bloom at different times of the year. Hummingbirds have extremely high energy requirements, so a garden with a succession of flowers can provide a dependable food source.
Some excellent choices include:
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Salvia
- Trumpet honeysuckle
- Columbine
- Penstemon
- Fuchsia
- Hummingbird-friendly flowering shrubs
- Zinnias
- Jewelweed
A combination of native plants, perennials, annuals, and container plants can give hummingbirds more reasons to return throughout the growing season.
1. Bee Balm
Bee balm (Monarda) is one of the classic favorite flowers for hummingbirds. Its clusters of tubular flowers are packed with nectar, making them particularly attractive to hummingbirds.
Depending on the variety, flowers can appear in shades of red, pink, purple, or white. Bee balm is also attractive to butterflies and bees, making it an excellent choice if you’re creating a pollinator garden.
Best for: Full sun, perennial gardens, hummingbirds and butterflies.
2. Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is famous for its brilliant red blossoms. Its tall flower spikes stand out in the garden and provide tubular blooms that hummingbirds can easily access.
It naturally favors moist conditions, so it can work particularly well near rain gardens, ponds, streams, or consistently damp garden beds.
Best for: Moist soil, native gardens, red flowers for hummingbirds.
3. Salvia
Salvia is one of the most versatile choices when it comes to flowers for hummingbirds and butterflies. There are annual and perennial salvias, so you can find a variety suited to your climate and growing conditions.
The tubular blossoms are especially well suited to hummingbird feeding. Many varieties also have a long flowering season, which helps keep nectar available for extended periods.
Best for: Containers, borders, sunny gardens, long flowering seasons.
4. Trumpet Honeysuckle
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a native North American vine known for its colorful, tubular flowers. The red-orange blooms are particularly appealing to hummingbirds.
Unlike some invasive honeysuckle species, trumpet honeysuckle is a much better choice for wildlife-friendly landscapes when planted in appropriate regions.
Best for: Trellises, fences, vertical gardens, hummingbirds and butterflies.
5. Columbine
Columbine (Aquilegia) produces distinctive flowers with long nectar spurs. Those elongated structures make the plant particularly suitable for hummingbirds, which can reach nectar that may be less accessible to some other pollinators.
Native columbine species are especially valuable because they can provide food for local wildlife while adding delicate color to woodland or cottage-style gardens.
Best for: Part shade, woodland gardens, perennial beds.
6. Penstemon
Penstemon is another excellent choice if you want tubular flowers for hummingbirds. Its flowers come in several colors, including red, pink, purple, and white.
Different species have different growing requirements, but many penstemons prefer sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Best for: Native plant gardens, dry climates, sunny borders.
7. Fuchsia
Fuchsia is particularly useful if you have limited garden space. Its hanging, tubular flowers can thrive in containers and baskets, making it one of the most attractive hanging flowers for hummingbirds.
Many fuchsias prefer cooler conditions and protection from intense afternoon sunlight, so they can be particularly useful when you’re looking for shade flowers for hummingbirds.
Best for: Hanging baskets, containers, partial shade.
8. Zinnias
Zinnias are colorful, easy-to-grow annuals that can attract a variety of pollinators. They are especially useful for gardeners who want quick color without waiting several years for perennial plants to mature.
Planting several varieties can create a long-lasting display of pink, orange, red, yellow, and other bright colors.
Best for: Annual gardens, beginner gardeners, butterflies and pollinators.
9. Jewelweed
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) produces orange, tubular flowers that can be especially attractive to hummingbirds. It naturally grows in moist, partly shaded environments.
Because it can readily reseed, jewelweed can fit into the category of self seeding flowers for hummingbirds. However, its ability to spread means you should give it room rather than placing it in a tightly controlled flower bed.
Best for: Moist shade, naturalized areas, self-seeding gardens.
10. Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is almost tailor-made for hummingbirds. Its large, trumpet-shaped flowers contain nectar that hummingbirds can reach with their long bills and tongues.
However, this vigorous vine can spread aggressively in some areas. Before planting it, check whether it is appropriate for your region and be prepared to provide strong support and regular maintenance.
Best for: Large spaces, trellises, fences, vertical gardens.
Best Flowers for Hummingbirds and Butterflies
If you want to attract more than just hummingbirds, choose plants that provide accessible nectar for several types of pollinators.
Some of the best flowers for hummingbirds and butterflies include:
- Bee balm
- Salvia
- Zinnias
- Butterfly bush
- Lantana
- Cardinal flower
- Verbena
- Phlox
- Penstemon
- Coneflowers
A diverse garden is usually more useful than filling the entire space with a single species. Different flower shapes, colors, heights, and blooming periods can support a wider range of pollinators.
Red Flowers for Hummingbirds: Do They Really Work?
Red flowers have a strong association with hummingbirds, and it’s easy to see why many hummingbird gardens feature them. Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers based on multiple factors, including color, nectar availability, flower shape, and experience.
That doesn’t mean you need an entirely red garden.
Pink, orange, purple, and other brightly colored flowers can also attract hummingbirds. Rather than focusing exclusively on color, prioritize nectar-rich plants that are well adapted to your climate.
Tubular Flowers for Hummingbirds
The shape of a flower matters. Tubular flowers for hummingbirds are especially useful because their long, narrow structures can hold nectar in a position that hummingbirds can reach with their specialized bills and tongues.
Good examples include:
- Trumpet honeysuckle
- Cardinal flower
- Penstemon
- Salvia
- Fuchsia
- Columbine
- Trumpet vine
Planting several types of tubular blooms can create a garden with a variety of nectar sources throughout the season.
Perennial Flowers for Hummingbirds
Perennial flowers for hummingbirds return year after year, making them a practical foundation for a long-term pollinator garden.
Some good perennial choices include:
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Columbine
- Penstemon
- Salvia
- Coral bells
- Native honeysuckle
- Phlox
When choosing perennials, look for species native or well adapted to your area. Native plants can be especially valuable because local wildlife often has established relationships with them.
Annual Flowers for Hummingbirds
Annuals are useful when you want abundant seasonal color or need plants that can fill gaps while perennial plants become established.
Some annual flowers for hummingbirds include:
- Zinnias
- Annual salvia
- Cleome
- Nicotiana
- Lantana
- Cuphea
- Nasturtiums
Annuals can also be useful for renters or gardeners working with containers because you can redesign the display each growing season.
Long Blooming Flowers for Hummingbirds
A flower that blooms for only a few weeks can be valuable, but a garden with several long blooming flowers for hummingbirds can provide a more consistent nectar supply.
Salvia, zinnias, lantana, and some fuchsia varieties can flower for extended periods when growing conditions are suitable. Deadheading certain plants can also encourage additional blooms, although the response depends on the species.
For the best results, don’t rely on one plant. Combine early-, mid-, and late-season bloomers.
Fall Flowers for Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds still need energy as summer fades, and fall flowers for hummingbirds can help provide nectar when fewer plants are flowering.
Good options can include:
- Late-blooming salvia
- Cardinal flower
- Zinnias
- Lantana
- Late-blooming native perennials
- Some asters and other late-season flowering plants
The exact best choices depend heavily on your region and the hummingbird species that visit your garden.
Shade Flowers for Hummingbirds
Many popular hummingbird plants prefer full sun, but that doesn’t mean a shady yard has to be hummingbird-free.
Shade flowers for hummingbirds can include plants such as fuchsia, coral bells, columbine, and certain native woodland plants. The key is to match the plant with the amount of light available rather than forcing a sun-loving species into deep shade.
Remember that “shade” can mean anything from a few hours of morning sun to almost no direct sunlight. Read the plant’s specific growing requirements before planting.
Best Hanging Basket Flowers for Hummingbirds
Hanging baskets are an excellent way to bring nectar flowers closer to windows, patios, balconies, and porches.
Some of the best hanging basket flowers for hummingbirds include:
- Fuchsia
- Trailing petunias
- Calibrachoa
- Trailing verbena
- Lantana
- Some salvias
Fuchsia is particularly notable because its pendulous flowers naturally hang downward, creating an attractive feeding position for hummingbirds.
Choose a basket with good drainage and keep it somewhere you can water consistently. Container plants can dry out much faster than plants growing in the ground.
Flowers for Hummingbirds in California
If you’re searching for flowers for hummingbirds California, native and drought-tolerant choices deserve special attention.
California has several distinct climate zones, so a plant that thrives along the coast may behave very differently inland or in the mountains. Native plants such as California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) can be excellent choices in suitable areas.
Other possibilities include:
- California fuchsia
- Native penstemons
- California sagebrush-associated flowering plants
- Salvia species
- Monkeyflower (Diplacus species)
- Hummingbird sage in appropriate conditions
For California gardens, choose plants according to your local climate, soil, water availability, and regional native-plant recommendations.
How to Create a Hummingbird-Friendly Flower Garden
You don’t need a huge backyard to create a useful hummingbird habitat. Even a balcony, patio, or small garden can provide nectar plants.
Try these steps:
1. Choose a Variety of Flowers
Select several plants with different flower shapes and blooming periods. This helps provide nectar over a longer portion of the year.
2. Plant in Groups
Instead of planting one flower of each kind, consider grouping several plants together. A larger patch of flowers can be easier for visiting pollinators to locate.
3. Avoid Pesticide Overuse
Broad-spectrum pesticides can harm insects and other wildlife. Use an integrated pest management approach and identify a pest before deciding whether treatment is necessary.
4. Provide Water and Shelter
Hummingbirds don’t just need flowers. Trees, shrubs, and dense vegetation can provide places to rest and shelter.
Hummingbirds may also use shallow water sources, although traditional birdbaths aren’t always ideal for them. Moving or fine-misted water can be more attractive than deep, still water.
5. Think About the Whole Season
One of the biggest mistakes is choosing plants that all bloom at the same time. Instead, plan for spring, summer, and fall nectar sources.
Are Hummingbird Feeders Better Than Flowers?
Hummingbird feeders can supplement a garden, but they shouldn’t necessarily replace flowering plants.
Flowers provide nectar while also contributing to a larger habitat. A well-designed garden can offer food, shelter, insects, and nesting opportunities.
If you use a feeder, keep it clean and replace the nectar regularly, especially during hot weather. A dirty feeder can become unsafe for birds.
What Makes a Flower Good for Hummingbirds?
A good flower for hummingbirds generally has several useful characteristics:
- Nectar that provides substantial energy
- A flower shape that allows hummingbirds to reach the nectar
- A bloom period that complements other plants
- Strong visibility to flying birds
- Good adaptation to the local climate
- Minimal reliance on pesticides
The “best” plant isn’t necessarily the most colorful flower at the garden center. A locally adapted, nectar-rich plant that blooms reliably can be much more useful.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even a beautiful garden can be less helpful to hummingbirds if it’s designed without their needs in mind.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Planting only one flowering species
- Choosing invasive plants without checking their behavior
- Using pesticides unnecessarily
- Ignoring local growing conditions
- Allowing containers to dry out
- Forgetting late-season nectar sources
- Removing every naturally occurring plant that provides wildlife value
A little planning can turn an ordinary flower bed into a much more useful pollinator habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers for Hummingbirds
What are the best flowers for hummingbirds?
Some of the most popular choices include bee balm, cardinal flower, salvia, trumpet honeysuckle, penstemon, columbine, fuchsia, and trumpet vine. The best option depends on your climate, soil, sunlight, and available garden space.
What color flowers attract hummingbirds the most?
Hummingbirds are often strongly associated with red and other bright colors, but they can visit flowers in many colors. Nectar availability and flower shape are also important factors.
What flowers attract both hummingbirds and butterflies?
Bee balm, salvia, zinnias, lantana, phlox, coneflowers, and several other nectar-producing plants can attract both hummingbirds and butterflies.
What are the best tubular flowers for hummingbirds?
Salvia, penstemon, cardinal flower, fuchsia, trumpet honeysuckle, and trumpet vine are excellent examples of tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers that can provide accessible nectar.
Are there shade flowers for hummingbirds?
Yes. Fuchsia, columbine, coral bells, and some woodland plants can work in partial shade. Always check the specific light requirements because deep shade is different from partial shade.
What are the best hanging flowers for hummingbirds?
Fuchsia is one of the standout choices for hanging baskets. Trailing verbena, lantana, calibrachoa, petunias, and suitable salvias can also work well depending on the climate.
What flowers bloom for hummingbirds in fall?
Late-blooming salvia, zinnias, lantana, cardinal flower, asters, and other regionally appropriate late-season plants can provide nectar during fall.
Can I grow flowers for hummingbirds in containers?
Absolutely. Containers are particularly useful for balconies, patios, and small gardens. Choose nectar-rich plants that suit the container’s sunlight exposure and provide adequate drainage.
Do hummingbirds prefer red flowers?
Red flowers can be highly noticeable and are commonly visited by hummingbirds, but hummingbirds don’t exclusively feed from red flowers. They also visit orange, pink, purple, and other nectar-rich blooms.
Should I use native flowers for hummingbirds?
Native plants are often an excellent choice because they are adapted to local conditions and can support native wildlife. However, the best plant list varies considerably by region, so local native-plant recommendations are worth checking.
Conclusion
The best flowers for hummingbirds aren’t limited to one color, plant family, or garden style. Nectar-rich tubular flowers such as salvia, bee balm, cardinal flower, penstemon, fuchsia, and trumpet honeysuckle can give hummingbirds valuable feeding opportunities while adding plenty of beauty to your landscape.
For an especially effective garden, combine perennial flowers for hummingbirds with annuals, long-blooming plants, fall flowers, and suitable hanging basket flowers. If you also want butterflies, choose diverse nectar plants that serve both groups.
Most importantly, think beyond a single flower. A garden with blooms available across multiple seasons, safe shelter, and thoughtful pesticide use can become a welcoming habitat for hummingbirds year after year. Start with a few good flowers for hummingbirds that suit your climate, and let your garden grow from there.
