The Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are one of my favorite parts of summer. I am always eagerly awaiting the first hummer sighting of the Spring! Hummingbirds are like tiny flying jewels, zipping around the garden and bringing so much joy with their presence. If you want to invite these little wonders into your yard, the best way is to plant flowers rich in nectar. Lucky for us, there are plenty of gorgeous plants that hummingbirds can’t resist!
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the best plants to attract hummingbirds, whether they’re annual or perennial, what zones they thrive in, if they’re beginner-friendly, when to expect blooms, and some tips to keep them flowering longer. Let’s get started!
1. Bee Balm
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 3-9.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes!
- Bloom Time: Mid to late summer; prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade.
- Tip for More Blooms: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
2. Salvia
- Perennial or Annual? Both—some varieties are perennial in zones 4-10, while others are grown as annuals.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes.
- Bloom Time: Late spring to fall; loves full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Regular pruning after blooming helps encourage new flowers.
3. Cardinal Flower
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 3-9.
- Beginner Friendly? Somewhat—requires moist soil.
- Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall; prefers partial shade but tolerates sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Keep soil consistently moist and cut back stems after flowering.
4. Trumpet Vine
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 4-9.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes, but it spreads aggressively.
- Bloom Time: Summer through fall; thrives in full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Prune in early spring to control growth and encourage more flowers.
5. Columbine
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 3-9.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes!
- Bloom Time: Spring to early summer; prefers partial shade.
- Tip for More Blooms: Remove spent flowers to encourage reblooming.
6. Lupine
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 4-8.
- Beginner Friendly? Somewhat—requires well-drained soil.
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer; prefers full sun to partial shade.
- Tip for More Blooms: Cut back after first bloom to encourage a second round of flowers.
7. Foxglove
- Perennial or Annual? Biennial or short-lived perennial in zones 4-9.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes, but be cautious they are toxic if ingested.
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer; enjoys partial shade.
- Tip for More Blooms: Allow some flowers to go to seed for natural reseeding.
8. Penstemon (Beardtongue)
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 3-9.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes!
- Bloom Time: Late spring through summer; loves full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Deadhead regularly to encourage extended flowering.
9. Red Hot Poker
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 5-9.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes, if soil drains well.
- Bloom Time: Summer to early fall; thrives in full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Remove spent flower spikes to prolong bloom time.
10. Zinnias
- Perennial or Annual? Annual.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes!
- Bloom Time: Summer through fall; needs full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Cut flowers often to promote more blooming.
11. Fuchsia
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in warm climates (zones 9-11), annual elsewhere.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes, but prefers cool temperatures.
- Bloom Time: Spring through fall; prefers partial shade.
- Tip for More Blooms: Keep soil evenly moist and deadhead often.
12. Lantana
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 8-11, annual elsewhere.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes!
- Bloom Time: Summer to frost; full sun is best.
- Tip for More Blooms: Prune lightly to shape and remove faded flowers.
13. Hollyhock
- Perennial or Annual? Biennial or short-lived perennial in zones 3-8.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes, but needs staking.
- Bloom Time: Mid to late summer; prefers full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Remove spent flowers and provide support for tall stems.
14. Butterfly Bush
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 5-10.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes!
- Bloom Time: Summer through fall; loves full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Prune in early spring to promote fresh growth.
15. Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
- Perennial or Annual? Perennial in zones 4-10.
- Beginner Friendly? Yes!
- Bloom Time: Summer through fall; thrives in full sun.
- Tip for More Blooms: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
My Final Thoughts
If you want to attract hummingbirds, planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers with different bloom times will ensure that they have a steady food source throughout the growing season. Choose plants that suit your garden’s sun and soil conditions, and don’t forget to keep flowers deadheaded and pruned for the best results.
With just a little effort, your garden will soon become a hummingbird haven for years to come!