For gardeners and bird watchers alike, the visit of a hummingbird to your garden is a rare treat. However, what if we told your these occasional visits could become more frequent. Depending on where you live, hummingbirds have the potential of becoming your new neighbors. With an abundance of nectar-filled flowers and an open landscape that allows them to easily move from flower to flower, you can turn even the smallest spaces into a hummingbird’s paradise. However, not every flower will cause these birds to flock towards your garden. Here are some flowers that are rich in nectar, beautiful, and are perfect for attracting hummingbirds.
Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds
Flowers that attract hummingbirds have specific features that don’t allow access to other types of birds. These flowers are tubular, scentless, brightly colored, and grow where birds can easily hover and sip. Choose a variety of these flowers for your garden to give your birds options of what they want to eat on a specific day.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm’s are perennials that grow best in full sun or partial shade. Growing up to three feet tall and two feet wide, these flowers love moist, well-drained soil. Traditionally found in red, bee balm also comes in pink, violet, and white, helping to attract not only hummingbirds but also butterflies. Plus, their unique bloom shape will add interest to any perennial bed.
Columbine
An early bloomer, columbine is a perennial flower full of red and yellow blooms. These flowers are native to areas of North America, preferring part to full sun and moist, well-drained soil. These flowers grow large too, spanning three feet tall and one foot wide. They are perfect for pairing with other flowers, like blue pansies or bright coralbells, for a beautiful display.
Cardinal Flower
These flowers are bright, making them perfect for attracting hummingbirds to your garden. Cardinal flowers grow best in partial shade and moist soil. They can grow up to four feet high and two feet wide for a stunning display. If you plant several in one spot, you will surely see hummingbirds in your garden.
Salvia
Are you looking at annuals? Try salvia for a bright red stunner in a garden full of annuals. Don’t like red? These flowers also come in cream, purple, and salmon. When grown in full sun and in well-drained soil, these flowers can reach 16 inches tall and wide. Plus, they are drought-tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about surprise rainstorms washing your flowers away!
Butterfly Bush
Don’t let the name fool you! Hummingbirds and butterflies are common visitors to the butterfly bush. This long-blooming shrub can reach 6-12 feet tall and 4-15 feet wide, so give it a lot of space. This option may be too big for some gardens, but offer a real treat, especially when paired with bee balms. Butterfly bushes come in purple, pink, white, or red with an orange throat in the center, making them perfect for any garden aesthetic. However, watch out. These plants have invasive tendencies, so check for local restrictions.
Rose of Sharon
If red isn’t your color, take a peek at the rose of Sharon. This shrub does not have the typical trumpet-shaped flowers typically associated with hummingbird plants, but they do provide plenty of nectar in their pink, purple, white, and lavender flowers. When grown in full sun with moist, well-drained soil, this shrub can reach ten feet tall and six feet wide. For a hardy plant, schedule regular pruning of dead flower heads. Another thing to note is that this shrub has invasive tendencies. It is always best to check local restrictions before you plant.
Cardinal Vine
Thinking about vines? Try the cardinal vine! As the name suggests, these vines will have bright red flowers that will bloom all summer long. They like moist soil and full sun areas. When full grown, cardinal vines can reach eight feet or more! They also grow well with other vines, like climbing roses, and shrubs.
Honeysuckle
The honeysuckle is the perfect choice for summer and autumn blooms. With its large, scarlet flowers, these vines are sure to stand out in a field of green foliage. Plus, this plant likes to grow tall, reaching 15 feet! It may be a good idea to get a trellis to allow them to grow to their maximum height and provide a beautiful display. Keep these flowers in moist, well-drained soil and full sun and you will surely get the most out of their blooms.