Watching the voracious, agile wing motion of a tiny hummingbird, radiant in color, is nothing short of mesmerizing. Beyond that, though, hummingbirds are also known for their roles as pollinators, carrying pollen from the male part of a flower (the stamen) to the female part of the same or another flower (the stigma). Along with other pollinators like butterflies and bees, their flights make sure garden blooms are more abundant.
But the gardener plays a role in this process too by planting flowers that are best for pollinator garden, and it's best if they are are native to your region too. You should also consider adding an outdoor fountain to to the area since hummingbirds are fond of water, especially moving water.
When it comes to selecting particular plants, remember that hummingbirds use color to find food, so radiant blooms are best. You'll want to find flowers that produce nectar that attracts them as well as tubular, bell, or conical blooms that welcome hummingbirds' elongated bills. There are many flowering plants to choose from—including flowering shrubs, flowering vines, and plants that grow in the shade. And now for 15 of our favorite flowers for welcoming hummingbirds to inspire your garden.
1
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Named for its cardinal-red flowers, the cardinal flower’s tubular blooms are what grabs a hummingbird’s attention along with its sweet nectar. They grow quickly and usually bloom in the first year. Plant them in moist, fertile soil, and you can let them reseed themselves.
When it blooms: Summer into fall
Where to plant: Full or partial sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 1-10
2
Delphinium
These spiky blooms show off shades of vibrant blue, pink, white, and purple and are known to grow quite tall. Given their height, consider planting them at the back of a border in a perennial garden. They prefer cool, mild summers and need adequate moisture.
When it blooms: Summer
Where to plant: Full sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
3
Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
These dangling, heart-shaped pink and white flowers bloom on an arched stem and attract hummingbirds to their nectar. The woodland plant loves shade, and its springtime blooms only last a few weeks. Plant it in a shady bed or woodland border.
When it blooms: Spring
Where to plant: Partial or full shade
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-9
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4
Petunia
With a long flowering period from spring until first frost, petunias are one of the most popular flowers for gardeners. They require full sun in order to thrive and add nice color to beds, hanging baskets or other containers, and borders. Plant as an annual after the last spring frost.
When it blooms: Spring into fall
Where to plant: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
5
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
The beautiful tubular flowers on this fast-growing perennial vine, which bloom in shades of yellow, orange, and red, attract hummingbirds. After they flower, trumpet vines (also called trumpet creeper) produce attractive bean-like seedpods. Prune regularly to keep its growth under control.
When it blooms: Summer into fall
Where to plant: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
6
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
As it name suggests, this flowering shrub is great for attracting butterflies as well as hummingbirds, which are drawn to it due to its high nectar count along with conical-shaped clusters of delicate flowers in bright colors. Butterfly bushes bloom repeatedly from summer into fall and come in a wide array of flower colors, such as pink, purple, red, white, and yellow.
When it blooms: Summer
Where to plant: Full sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 10
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7
Columbine (Aquilegia)
Also known as Granny's Bonnet, this easy-to-grow perennial provides colorful interest in a garden throughout much of the year. After producing bell-shaped blooms in a variety of shades in the spring, its dark green foliage turns maroon in the fall. Columbine seeds can be sown in spring through summer.
When it blooms: Mid-spring to early summer
Where to plant: partial shade to sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
8
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
This low-maintenance, easy-to-grow perennial produces abundant, tubular-shaped flowers. Though each individual bloom only lasts for one day, each stem produces multiple blooms in succession. Plant in spring in an area that receives at least six hours of full sun.
When it blooms: Mid-spring into fall
Where to plant: Full sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
9
Foxgloves (Digitalis)
Capable of growing up to six feet high, foxgloves are known for adding vertical interest and brilliant color in gardens. Their flowers, which appear in clusters of tubular blooms in shades of white, lavender, yellow, pink, red, and purple, may be grown from seed can be toxic to consume, though hummingbirds are attracted to their nectar.
When it blooms: Early summer
Where to plant: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10
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10
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
This short-lived perennial adds romance and height to any garden bed, as they can grown up to nine feet tall. The most common are actually biennials, which complete their life cycles in two years, but there are varieties that behave more like perennials. Hollyhocks' cup-shaped flowers attract butterflies and bees, as well as hummingbirds. Seeds can be sown just before the last frost.
When it blooms: Mid-to-late summer
Where to plant: Full sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
11
Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana)
Named for its "leggy" foliage shape and tall, showy blooms, this colorful annual is easy to grow and care for as it seeds prolifically and returns every year. Once established, spider flowers are drought-tolerant. Consider planting in vegetable beds as spider flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, which may deter insects that are harmful to vegetables.
When it blooms: Summer to fall
Where to plant: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11
12
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Also known as "Busy Lizzie," this flowering annual makes for a colorful bed, window box, or other container plant, and requires moisture and shade. Transfer them after the last spring frost for a vivid harbinger of brighter days to come.
When it blooms: Late spring through first frost
Where to plant: Partial shade
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11
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13
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias are some of the easiest annual flowers to grow, producing bright blooms in nearly every shade imaginable. They can grow up to four feet high, and they attract not just hummingbirds but butterflies and other birds as well. After the last threat of frost, zinnia seeds can be sown through the end of June.
When it blooms: Late spring to early fall
Where to plant: Full sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11
14
Bee Balms (Monarda)
Also known as wild bergamot, this perennial is native to North America, produces spiky blooms in white, pink, purple, or red, and is an excellent addition in pollinator gardens. Its flowers attract bees and butterflies in addition to hummingbirds, and its seed heads will attract birds during the fall and winter.
When it blooms: Summer
Where to plant: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
15
Salvia (Salvia officinalis)
Also known as sage, these drought-tolerant perennials are beloved by bees and butterflies, as well as hummingbirds. Thanks to their clusters of spiky, fragrant purple blooms, salvia flowers are best when planted in groups of at least two or three and make excellent additions to beds and borders.
When it blooms: Summer to fall
Where to plant: Full sun
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-11
Steele Marcoux
Editor in Chief, VERANDA
Steele Marcoux is the Editor in Chief at VERANDA, covering design trends, architecture, and travel for the brand.
