Hummingbirds are one of nature’s most captivating creatures, their tiny, fast wings a blur as they flit from flower to flower. Beyond their beauty, they play a crucial role in pollination, ensuring that our yards and native habitats continue to thrive. By adding hummingbird plants to your garden, you’re not only inviting these tiny birds to visit, but you’re also helping the ecosystem around you.
Certain plants have evolved to attract hummingbirds, especially those with tubular flowers and high nectar content. These plants not only bring hummingbirds to your yard but also add dynamic color and movement to your landscape. With the right plant choices, you can create a garden that is both visually stunning and buzzing with life.
Best Plants for Hummingbirds
When choosing the best plants for hummingbirds, it’s important to focus on the characteristics that hummingbirds love—bright colors, nectar-rich flowers, and blooms that appear throughout the growing season. Here are some of the top hummingbird magnet plants to consider.
1. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): The Ultimate Hummingbird Favorite
Few plants can compete with bee balm when it comes to attracting hummingbirds. It features clusters of red, pink, or purple tubular flowers that are irresistible to these birds. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil, making it a great addition to any yard. Its nectar-rich flowers bloom in early summer, keeping hummingbirds well-fed during this critical time.
Hummingbirds love it for its high nectar production, but it also attracts other pollinators like butterflies and bees. Companion plants like coral bells or hummingbird mint can enhance the hummingbird-friendly environment, creating a varied, beautiful lawn that blooms all summer long. For the best effect, plant it in clusters to make it more noticeable to your feathered visitors.
2. Larkspur (Delphinium): Tall, Striking Blooms
Larkspur is another stunning option for attracting hummingbirds, with its tall spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers that tower above other plants. These herbaceous perennials grow in partial sun to full sun and require well-draining soil to flourish. Their height makes them an excellent backdrop for a hummingbird garden.
The tubular shape of larkspur’s flowers makes them a perfect match for a hummingbird’s long beak and tongue, which are perfectly adapted to access deep nectar sources. By planting larkspur alongside other plants like salvia or phlox, you can ensure your lawn has continuous blooms from late winter through summer, keeping the hummingbirds coming back for more.
3. Hollyhocks (Alcea): Classic Cottage Garden Charm
Hollyhocks add a touch of old-fashioned charm to any yard with their tall, dramatic flower spikes. These hummingbird plants bloom in a wide range of colors, from orange to pink, and their tubular flowers are perfect for attracting hummingbirds. Hollyhocks prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they’re drought-tolerant once established, making them a low-maintenance choice for hummingbird-friendly lawns.
Because of their height, hollyhocks are perfect for growing at the back of flower beds or along fences. Pair them with shrubs like the butterfly bush for a vertical layer of food sources, and don’t forget to add a bird bath nearby so your hummingbirds can rest and rehydrate between feeding sessions.
4. Phlox (Phlox paniculata): Colorful and Fragrant
If you want to create a sweet-smelling paradise for both yourself and the hummingbirds, consider adding phlox to your lawn. This herbaceous perennial is known for its vibrant, fragrant blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. It thrives in partial shade or full sun, making it adaptable to different garden conditions.
Phlox is an excellent companion for hummingbird gardens, especially when paired with native plants like blue lupine or red columbine. By growing phlox in clusters, you make it easier for hummingbirds to spot them from afar. The plant’s fragrant blooms not only attract hummingbirds but also butterflies and other pollinators, making it a true asset to any wildlife-friendly yard.
5. Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): A Springtime Delight
Red columbine is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, offering a crucial energy source for early-arriving hummingbirds. Its vibrant red and yellow tubular flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, as they provide ample nectar during a time when few other plants are in bloom. Red columbine thrives in partial shade and is drought-tolerant, making it a versatile plant for various yard settings.
For best results, plant it alongside other flowers that grow later in the season, like salvia or hummingbird mint, ensuring there’s always something blooming for your feathered visitors. This plant is especially well-suited to woodland gardens or areas with dappled sun.
6. Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis): A Native Beauty
For those looking to include more native plants in the lawn, blue lupine is a fantastic choice. This hummingbird plant features tall spikes of blue or purple flowers. As a native plant, it’s perfectly adapted to the local habitat, requiring minimal care once established. It thrives in well-draining soil and does best in full sun to partial shade.
Grow blue lupine with other hummingbird-friendly species like salvia to create a diverse, layered lawn that attracts hummingbirds throughout the growing season. Not only will this provide a continuous food source, but it will also help create a vibrant, colorful landscape that you and the hummingbirds will enjoy.
7. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa): A Flavor-Rich Powerhouse
When it comes to hummingbird plants, salvia is a must-have. Its tall flower spikes and rich nectar make it a magnet for hummingbirds and other pollinators. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, producing vibrant blooms in shades of blue, purple, and red.
Salvia pairs well with other plants like phlox, and it adds height and structure to any garden. By planting it in clusters, you create a more noticeable food source for hummingbirds, encouraging them to stay and visit your yard repeatedly. Don’t forget to place hummingbird feeders nearby to supplement their diet!
Conclusion
By choosing the best plants for hummingbirds, you’re not just beautifying your garden; you’re creating a habitat that supports local wildlife. Plants like larkspur, and salvia offer the nectar hummingbirds need to thrive, while also adding vibrant color and movement to your landscape. Whether you plant native species like blue lupine or mix in some show-stoppers like hollyhocks, the key to attracting hummingbirds is to provide a continuous source of food, shelter, and water throughout the season.
As you plan your garden, remember that hummingbirds love a variety of colors, heights, and bloom times. Plant flowers in clusters, offer partial shade for variety, and create a garden that’s as beautiful for you as it is for your feathered friends. With a little planning, your garden can become a true hummingbird magnet, buzzing with life all season long.
