Hummingbirds are a delight to watch as they bring vibrant energy into gardens. While hummingbird feeders are popular, nothing beats the attraction of natural flowers for these tiny creatures.
By incorporating perennial flowers into your garden, you can create an irresistible haven for hummingbirds to feed upon year after year. Top choices of perennial flowers that attract hummingbirds include columbine, bee balm, hyssop, and red cardinal.
Discover the colors and shapes of blooms that not only add beauty to an outdoor space but also support the essential role hummingbirds play in pollination.
Get ready to welcome a delightful array of buzzing visitors by growing a variety of flowers as discussed below.
Tips To Consider When Choosing Hummingbird-Friendly Plants
The following are best to keep in mind when choosing perennial flowers:
- Choose plants suitable for your hardiness growing zone.
- Diversify your garden with a variety of hummingbird-attracting plants.
- Include a variety of plants that bloom at different times throughout the year. This ensures a continuous supply of flowers for hummingbirds, especially during the fall when food sources start to dwindle.
- Understand the sunlight, soil, and nutrient requirements of the chosen plants to promote their health and nectar production.
- Focus on red or tubular-shaped flowers, although hummingbirds will also visit other colors.
- Consider using a mister on a regular garden hose. Hummingbirds are attracted to the fine mist and often use water for bathing and grooming.
- Include and maintain a hummingbird feeder in your garden as an additional food source to attract hummingbirds. Ensure the feeder is properly maintained by using a safe dye-free nectar solution and regularly cleaning and refilling it.
- Keep pets and children away from potentially toxic plants.
Please note: This list below features popular plants, but availability may vary by zone. Some plants may be annuals or perennials due to the zone’s climate.
15 Perennial Flowers That Are Hummingbird-Friendly
1. Bee Balm
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
Blooming Seasons: summer – fall
Colors: red, white, pink, purple
Scientific Name: Monarda
Bee balm, a member of the mint family, is a native North American plant. Its attractive flowers draw in pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
These vibrant plants, with their large spikes and spherical shape, are popular in landscapes and serve as a beautiful addition to attract hummingbirds. They typically grow to a height of 2 to 4 feet.
By deadheading the spent flowers, you can prolong the blooming period throughout the summer. Allowing the flowers to go to seed enables self-seeding and regrowth.
Bee balm plants benefit from periodic division to maintain their health and prevent root binding.
2. Bleeding Heart
Hardiness Zone: 2 – 9
Blooming Season: spring
Colors: red, rose, pink, yellow, white, violet, wine, or a combination
Scientific Name: Dicentra
The bleeding heart is an easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial that thrives in shady or semi-shady areas. With its arching branches and heart-shaped blooms, this delicate plant adds beauty to gardens.
It reaches heights of 24 to 36 inches in cooler climates and can be divided or propagated with cuttings for more plants.
Although its foliage may die back in the intense summer heat, the bleeding heart reliably regrows each season.
It prefers well-drained soil that remains moist and benefits from hanging or staking for support.
3. Cardinal Flower
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
Blooming Seasons: summer – early fall
Colors: purple, pink, red, blue, white
Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis
The cardinal flower is known for its tubular blooms, primarily pollinated by hummingbirds. While it is a short-lived perennial, it produces abundant seeds for self-reseeding.
With tall spikes of brilliant flowers, reaching up to 4 feet in height, it adds elegance and attracts hummingbirds to the garden.
It’s best suited for the back of garden beds, fences, or walls due to its towering size.
Cardinal flower prefers organically rich, moist soil and can tolerate partial sun to full sun exposure.
4. Catmint
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
Blooming Seasons: late spring – summer
Colors: lavender-blue, pink, white
Scientific Name: Nepeta cataria
Catmint, an easy-to-grow perennial herb, is deer-resistant and fast-growing.
Its upright spikes of flowers create a bush-like appearance. Catmint prefers a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil. It can tolerate some shade but will produce more flowers in full sun.
Catmint is relatively low-maintenance. Regularly deadhead the spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.
In late winter or early spring, cut back the plant to stimulate new growth. Divide the plant every 2 to 3 years in early spring or fall to maintain its vigor.
However, be cautious as the scent of catmint may attract cats, posing a potential danger to birds since cats are one of their predators.
5. Columbine
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Blooming Seasons: spring – summer
Colors: pink, red, orange, yellow, white, purple, blue
Scientific Name: Aquilegia
Columbine plants are easy to grow and offer a delicate appearance. The red columbine is particularly favored by hummingbirds.
Regular pruning of spent flowers encourages more blooms. Columbine comes in various species and hybrids, offering a wide range of colors, bloom duration, and hardiness, which attract a variety of pollinators.
It is commonly planted around fences, trees, and flower beds. Columbine grows between 1 to 3 feet in height, with variations depending on the variety.
Columbine prefers part shade to full sun and requires well-drained, medium-rich soil.
6. Coral Bells
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 10
Blooming Seasons: late spring- midsummer
Colors: red, chartreuse, bronze, orange, green, purple, silver, bi-color
Scientific Name: Heuchera
Coral bells are stunning plants with vibrant foliage and tall, bell-shaped blooms. The flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Plant coral bells in a spot with partial shade to filtered sunlight. Avoid areas with intense heat or direct sunlight.
Remove faded flowers and damaged leaves to encourage new growth. Dividing the plants every few years can help rejuvenate them.
Feed these plants with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in late summer. In colder regions, protect the plants with a layer of mulch or straw to insulate the roots during winter.
7. Daylily
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 10
Blooming Seasons: spring – late summer
Colors: pastels, pinks, red, crimson, multicolored, near-white, yellow, orange, blue, purple
Scientific Name: Hemerocallis
Daylilies are versatile and low-maintenance plants that can thrive in various growing conditions.
They are known for their disease and pest resistance, making them an easy choice for yards and gardens.
In colder regions, daylilies are hardy perennials and can withstand freezing temperatures. Mulch the plants with a layer of straw or leaves in late fall to provide some winter protection.
With their trumpet-shaped blooms, daylilies are attractive to hummingbirds and add vibrant colors to any landscape.
With over 80,000 varieties available, it’s recommended to select red, purple, or orange-toned daylilies that are suitable for your specific growing zone to attract hummingbirds.
Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Daylilies can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but well-draining soil is ideal.
Remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage more blooms. Trim back any yellow or brown leaves as needed.
Divide the plants every few years to prevent overcrowding and maintain their vigor.
8. Hosta
Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
Blooming Season: summer
Colors: pale blue, lavender, white, yellow, cream, pink, purple, red
Scientific Name: Hosta
Hostas are resilient shade-loving plants with lush, full foliage that thrive year after year. Their attractive variegated or green leaves add a touch of elegance to any garden.
While hostas are primarily appreciated for their foliage, they also produce tall flower stalks with delicate tubular blooms that are adored by hummingbirds.
They prefer protection from direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Choose a shady or partially shaded area in your garden to plant them.
Hostas require minimal maintenance. Remove any weeds that compete with the plant for nutrients and water.
Divide mature clumps every few years to rejuvenate the plant and create new plants.
9. Hyssop
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 7
Blooming Seasons: midsummer – late autumn
Colors: pink, white, purple-blue
Scientific Name: Hyssopus officinalis
Hummingbird Mint, or Hyssop, is a vibrant and long-blooming perennial that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It thrives in various soil and weather conditions and is resistant to many pests and diseases.
Hyssop can be started from seeds indoors or directly sown into the ground after the last frost. Transplants can also be used for quicker establishment.
Choose a well-draining location with full sun to partial shade to plant Hummingbird Mint. Hyssop prefers sandy or loamy soil.
Regularly remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooming. Prune the plant in early spring to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
10. Lupine
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
Blooming Seasons: late spring – early summer
Colors: red, pink, yellow, blue, purple, white
Scientific Name: Lupinus
While wild lupines may not be suitable for home gardens, hybrid varieties make excellent garden perennials. These early-blooming flowers attract hummingbirds by providing a food source through the insects found on lupine plants.
Typically reaching 3 to 4 feet tall, lupines display dense spikes of flowers. As lupines grow tall, it’s beneficial to provide support like stakes or cages to prevent them from flopping over. Dwarf varieties are also available, growing under 2 feet tall.
Lupines can be grown from seeds or transplants. If using seeds, nick the hard outer coat or soak them in water overnight before planting. Sow the seeds directly in the garden in early spring or late fall. Alternatively, plant nursery-bought transplants in spring.
Plant lupines in a spot in your garden that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. Lupines prefer slightly acidic soil, so amend it if needed.
Deadhead the flowers once they fade to encourage further blooming and prevent self-seeding, as lupines can become invasive in some areas.
Lupines do not require division, but in most regions, they die out after about 2 to 5 years and need replacement. In hotter climates, lupines are commonly treated as annuals.
11. Petunia
Hardiness Zone: 1 – 8 (annual), 9 – 11 (perennial)
Blooming Seasons: spring – fall
Color: bicolor varieties, red, purple, pink, white, yellow, blue
Scientific Name: Petunia
Choose hummingbird-favorite colors like red, purple, or pink. While typically grown as annuals, some varieties can survive as perennials in warmer climates or when protected from frost.
Petunias are excellent for mixed plantings and offer a continuous bloom, providing a reliable nectar source for hummingbirds. They are commonly grown in hanging baskets, planters, and garden borders.
If starting from seeds, sow them indoors about 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date. Transplants can be planted directly in the ground after the danger of frost has passed.
Petunias thrive in full sun, so select a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Feed petunias with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.
Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and prevent seed formation. Trim back leggy stems and pinch back the tips of the plants to promote bushier growth.
12. Penstemon
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
Blooming Seasons: early to mid-summer
Color: purple, white, blue, red, pink
Scientific Name: Penstemon
Penstemon, a native plant with a wide range of heights and colors, produces tubular flowers filled with nectar.
With approximately 280 species to choose from, select varieties that are suitable for your specific growing zone and enjoy their long-lasting blooms throughout the season.
Penstemons prefer full sun to partial shade. Ensure that the planting area has well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging.
Deadhead the faded flowers to encourage additional blooming and maintain a tidy appearance. In late fall or early spring, cut back the foliage to about 3 to 4 inches above ground level.
Over time, penstemons can become crowded and benefit from division. Every 3 to 4 years, lift and divide the plant to maintain its vigor.
Propagation can also be done from stem cuttings or by sowing seeds.
13. Salvia
Hardiness Zone: 5- 9, 4 (cold-hardy species), 10 (heat-tolerant species)
Blooming Seasons: summer – fall
Colors: blue, purple, red, pink, orange, white, yellow, green, multi-color
Scientific name: Salvia
Salvia, a member of the mint family, is known for its fragrant leaves and tall spikes of clustered flowers.
Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to Salvia microphylla with red and white tones, or Salvia greggii in various colors. The unique shape of salvia flowers is well-suited for hummingbird beaks.
This diverse plant family includes both annual and perennial varieties, all of which are great choices for hummingbird gardens. With a height and spread of 18 to 36 inches, these plants are easy to grow and maintain.
Salvia thrives in warm and sunny conditions. It is relatively drought-tolerant and doesn’t require frequent watering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid overwatering.
To encourage bushier growth and more blooms, trim back the spent flower spikes. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
14. Snapdragon
Hardiness Zone: 7 – 11
Blooming Seasons: spring – fall
Color: multi-colored, burgundy, yellow, red, pink, white, bronze, orange
Scientific Name: Antirrhinum
Snapdragon flowers, known for their unique mouth-like shape, are short-lived perennials. When gently pinched, their blooms can open, creating an enchanting display.
The flowers open from the bottom up, prolonging their bloom time. Snapdragons are available in a wide range of sizes and colors, offering a vibrant and diverse selection for your garden.
Select a spot in your garden that receives full sun to partial shade. Snapdragons prefer well-drained soil, so ensure the planting area has good drainage.
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Deadheading also prevents the snapdragons from producing seeds and promotes more flowering.
Depending on the variety and height, some snapdragons may require staking or support to keep them upright as they grow.
15. Trumpet Creeper
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
Blooming Seasons: summer through fall
Color: yellow, orange, red
Scientific Name: Campsis radicans
Trumpet creeper, also known as hummingbird vine, is a fast-growing plant that attracts hummingbirds with its tubular flowers.
Trumpet creeper thrives in various gardens and its vibrant flowers and glossy foliage make it a popular choice for many gardeners.
Select a spot in your garden that receives partial shade to full sun. Ensure that the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter.
It requires support to climb and is often grown in containers to control its spread. Install a trellis, fence, or arbor near the plant to give it something to climb on.
Regular pruning is necessary to control the growth of the trumpet creeper. Remove any dead or damaged branches and trim back excessive growth to maintain its shape and prevent it from spreading too much.
Conclusion
Incorporating perennial flowers that attract hummingbirds into your garden is a wonderful way to create a haven for these delightful creatures.
From the charming bee balm to the elegant cardinal flower, each of the 15 beautiful perennial flowers discussed in this article offers not only beauty but also supports the crucial role hummingbirds play in pollination.
By following the tips provided and selecting the right plants for your zone, you can enjoy a continuous display of vibrant colors and attract buzzing visitors year after year.