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13 Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

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Flowering plants are a great addition to any garden. Not only do they look very appealing, but they also attract all sorts of beautiful creatures to your garden.

Flowering plants attract insects like butterflies, honeybees, and ladybugs. They also attract birds like some songbirds or even Hummingbirds. A garden that is full of butterflies and Hummingbirds feels like a piece of heaven on Earth.

You can’t just plant any kind of flowers in your garden and expect Hummingbirds to show up. The best flowers for Hummingbirds are ones that are bright

In this article, we will be listing the best flowers for Hummingbirds. We will also be mentioning how you can take care of these plants and also the flying guests they invite to your garden.

But first, let’s take a look at which type of plants actually attract Hummingbirds.

Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds love brightly colored tubular flowers. These types of flowers generally tend to hold the most amount of nectar.

Hummingbirds are also particularly attracted to red-colored objects. So, you can even attract Hummingbirds with bright-red feeders in your garden.

One interesting fact about Hummingbirds is that they use spider silk in their nest construction. Some Hummingbirds may even pick off small insects that are stuck on spider webs. 

Now that we know what properties Hummingbirds find attractive in a plant, let’s list all the different plants you can use to attract these beautiful creatures:

1. Hosta

Hosta Best Flowers for Hummingbirds
Hosta and Hummingbird via Flickr.com

Hostas are perennial garden plants that are very easy to care for. These plants form beautiful foliage that is great for covering the empty spots in your garden and, of course, attracting Hummingbirds.

There are hundreds of varieties of these plants, and each has different looks. You can choose from pale yellow foliage colors to even deep blue-green greens. Their leaf shapes also vary quite a bit; some varieties have sword-like leaves while others have round leaves.

These plants tend to bloom in late spring or summer. You can even grow these plants indoors.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Hostas prefer to grow in moist but well-drained soils. They prefer to live in shaded areas but can also live in partial shade. Overall, they do not require much maintenance. You just need to fertilize them every spring and watch out for snails and slugs.

The USDA hardiness zones for Hostas are 3–9.

2. Catmint

Catmint Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Catmint is a type of herb that produces a beautiful contrast of colors in the garden. Their foliage is grey-green, and their flowers are blue-purple colored. 

Catmints are easy to grow and are hardy plants. They are quite resistant to pests and can tolerate heat. Their blooms are also known to be long-lasting.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants prefer to be in the sun or have partial shade conditions. Their soil should be well-drained. They are drought-tolerant, so they can even be grown in drier soils.

The USDA hardiness zones for Catmints are 4–8.

3. Daylily

Daylily Best Flowers for Hummingbirds
Daylily and Black Chin Hummingbird via Flickr.com

These plants produce bright orange flowers and require minimal care to grow. They are almost impossible to kill. Daylillies are virtually disease-free, and they don’t have many pests. 

Daylilies can survive in poor soil conditions, uneven sunlight and can even survive droughts. 

There are also other varieties of Daylilies that produce red or pink-colored flowers. 

Ideal Growing Conditions:

While they can survive just about anything, these plants prefer to be in sunny conditions. Keep them in full sun or lightly shaded areas. The soil should ideally be moist and well-drained.

The USDA hardiness zones for Daylillies are 3–9.

4. Sunflower

Sunflower Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

These iconic plants love to be in the sun and have large, beautiful blooms. These are fast-growing plants and are also don’t require too much care.

Sunflowers are native to the American continent and have been used in gardens for a very long time. One interesting fact about Sunflowers is that they will track the sun throughout the day, something that kids love to observe.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants should be in direct sunlight. They should ideally be watered frequently, and they are not too picky about soil conditions as long as it is well-drained and is slightly acidic. The USDA hardiness zones for Sunflowers are 4–9.

5. Cardinal Flower

Cardinal Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Cardinal flower plants have intense, red-colored flowers that are great for attracting Hummingbirds. Their flowers have a unique look, which not only makes them great for attracting Hummingbirds but also a striking addition to any garden.

Cardinal flowers are native to North and Central America. These plants can grow up to 4–5 feet in height and bloom during late summer or early fall. Their blooms generally last 6 weeks.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Generally, these plants should be kept away from intense sunlight unless the atmosphere is cold, where they require bright sunlight.

The soil should be moist and fertile. These plants can do well in soggy soil.

The USDA hardiness zones for Cardinal flowers are 3–9.

6. Columbine

Columbine Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Columbines have beautiful, rounded flowers with a nice contrast between the different parts. There are many varieties of these plants, so you can easily find these plants with a huge variety of flower colors. 

These plants are easy to grow and are drought tolerant. They bloom in late spring or early summers, with their blooms lasting about 4 weeks. 

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Columbines prefer to be in full sun conditions, but if the atmosphere is too hot, they should be placed in partially shaded areas. These plants prefer moist and well-drained soil.

The USDA hardiness zones for Columbine plants are 3–8.

7. Foxglove

Foxglove Best Flowers for Hummingbirds
Shining Sunbeam hummingbird on Foxglove in the rain via Flickr.com

Foxgloves truly have some of the most unique flowers. Their flower blossoms are tubular and have a bright purple color. These plants are poisonous, though, so you should take care to keep them away from the reach of children or pets.

They also come in other color varieties, like red, yellow, pink, and white. They bloom during early summers but may occasionally bloom later in the season.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants prefer to be in partially shaded areas but also do well in bright conditions. Their soil should be moist and well-drained. Foxgloves are not too picky about the type of soil. They can grow in chalky, sandy, or clay soils.

The USDA hardiness zones for Foxgloves are 4–9.

8. Penstemon

Penstemon Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Penstemons are available in many varieties. They come in different shapes and colors. The different varieties of their colors include blue, purple, red, yellow, white, and more. 

Their flowers are brightly colored, and their foliage also comes in different colors like blue/green or gray/silver. They bloom in spring, summer, or fall, depending on the variety.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Penstemons prefer moist and well-drained soil, and they like to be in full sun or partial shade areas. Young plants should be watered at least once per week, and you can reduce watering once the plant is mature.

The USDA hardiness zones for Penstemons are 6–8.

9. Trumpet Honeysuckle

Trumpet Honeysuckle Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

These are fast-growing vines that bloom beautiful flowers. They don’t require too much care to grow but can be a fire hazard. These plants have an extreme flammability rating, so they must be kept away from any kind of fire source.

They bloom in mid-spring, with blooms lasting into fall. While beautiful, their flowers are generally non-fragrant.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants prefer to be in full sun conditions but can also grow in partially shaded areas. They prefer moist and well-drained soil. Being a fast-growing vine, they require a support structure to grow properly. 

The USDA hardiness zones for these plants are 4–9.

10. Hibiscus

Hibiscus Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Hibiscus plants are well known for their massive and vividly colored flowers. Their flowers and leaves are even used for some medicinal purposes. There are hundreds of varieties of these plants.

Their bloom period is mid to late summers. One downside to these plants is that their blooms don’t last very long. Their flowers generally only last a day. Some varieties bloom for up to 3 days.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Hibiscus plants prefer to be in full sun but can also grow in partially shaded areas. If the sunlight is too intense, then you might have to place them in the shade for some time. 

They like moist and well-drained soils.

The USDA hardiness zones for Hibiscus plants are 9–11.

11. Delphinium

Delphinium Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Delphiniums are a type of perennials that have flowers with very bright shades of blue, white, pink, and purple. These plants are not very easy to grow for inexperienced gardeners as they require a lot of care.

Delphiniums bloom throughout the summer season, and their blooms last for about one week. These types of plants may be tough to grow, but their striking colors make it worth the effort.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. If the light is too intense, you should place them in a shaded area. They need to be watered frequently, and their soil should be fertile, moist, and well-drained.

You will also have to protect these plants from strong winds and sudden rain.

The USDA hardiness zones for Delphiniums are 3–7.

12. Coral Bells

Coral Bells Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Coral bells are famous for their beautiful foliage. These plants are available in many different colors. Their leaves are large and rounded. Some varieties even have heart-shaped leaves.

Their flowers are tiny but numerous and are found in different colors. Coral Bells generally bloom during early to mid-summer. These plants can have long bloom times, depending on the variety.

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Ideally, they should be placed in partially shaded areas. However, if the atmosphere is cold, they can be placed in the sun for some time. They prefer moist and well-drained soil.

The USDA hardiness zones for Coral bells range from 3–11, depending on the variety.

13. Red Hot Poker

Red Hot Poker Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

These plants have a very unique shape. Their flowers have a bright red, orange, or yellow color to them. They are easy to care for and can grow in many kinds of soils.

They bloom during springs and summers. Red Hot Pokers have long-lasting blooms and can bloom for much of the summer season. 

Ideal Growing Conditions:

These plants should ideally be placed in full sun areas. They can be placed in the shade if the sunlight is too intense. These plants aren’t too picky about soil types as long as it is well-drained.

The USDA hardiness zones for these plants are 6–9. 


Conclusion

I am sure you must have noticed a pattern by now. Many of these listed plants have tubular flowers and vivid colors.

Hummingbirds love such types of plants. If you go for a plant that has many color varieties, then you should go with the variety that blooms red flowers.

If you are looking for a plant that does not require a lot of care, then you can go for the Hosta, Catmint, Columbine, or Red Hot Poker. Placed at #1, #2, #6, and #13 respectively.