Hummingbirds bring color and movement to the garden, and the right flowers can encourage them to visit regularly. Nectar-rich blooms provide an important source of energy, while a garden with shelter, water, and flowering plants that bloom at different times can offer additional habitat throughout the season.

Many hummingbird favorites have tubular flowers that make nectar accessible to their long bills and tongues. Red, orange, and pink blooms are often associated with hummingbird pollination, but these birds also visit flowers in many other colors.

In this guide, you’ll discover flowers that attract hummingbirds, what makes certain blooms particularly appealing, and how to create a garden with nectar, water, shelter, and successive blooms from spring through fall.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds: A Guide to Creating a Hummingbird Garden

Hummingbirds are drawn to gardens that provide reliable sources of nectar, shelter, water, and places to rest. Tubular, nectar-rich flowers such as bee balm, cardinal flower, coral honeysuckle, penstemon, and salvia are especially useful for encouraging these energetic visitors.

Below, you’ll discover some of the best flowers for attracting hummingbirds, along with tips for choosing plants, planning for blooms throughout the season, and creating a garden that provides valuable hummingbird habitat.

Flower Lovers Want to Know

What flowers attract hummingbirds the most?
Tubular, nectar-rich flowers such as bee balm, cardinal flower, coral honeysuckle, penstemon, and many salvias are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. Native plants adapted to your region can be especially useful because they support local food webs as well as providing nectar.

What color flowers attract hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are strongly associated with red, orange, and pink tubular flowers, but color isn’t the only factor. They also visit purple, blue, yellow, and white flowers when those blooms provide accessible nectar.

What flowers attract hummingbirds in shade?
Options depend on climate, but columbine, cardinal flower, jewelweed, and some fuchsias can grow with partial shade while providing flowers visited by hummingbirds. Match each plant to its specific light and moisture requirements.

What flowers attract hummingbirds all summer?
Long-flowering plants such as bee balm, salvia, penstemon, zinnias, and some honeysuckles can help provide nectar during summer. Combining several species with overlapping bloom periods is more effective than relying on one plant.

Are native flowers better for hummingbirds?
Native plants can be particularly valuable because hummingbirds may use them for nectar while the plants also support insects and other components of the local food web. The best choices vary by region.

Do hummingbirds eat insects as well as nectar?
Yes. Hummingbirds consume small insects and other arthropods in addition to nectar. These foods provide nutrients that nectar alone does not supply.

Quick Facts

Flower	Type	Light	Typical Bloom Period	Preferred Conditions	Best Garden Use
Bee Balm (Monarda)	Perennial	Full sun–part shade	Summer	Moist, well-drained soil	Borders, pollinator gardens
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)	Perennial	Sun–part shade	Summer–early fall	Moist to wet soil	Rain gardens, pond edges
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)	Vine	Sun–part shade	Spring–summer	Moist, well-drained soil	Trellises, fences, arbors
Columbine (Aquilegia)	Perennial	Sun–part shade	Spring	Well-drained soil	Woodland edges, borders
Penstemon (Penstemon)	Perennial	Mostly full sun*	Spring–summer	Varies by species	Borders, native gardens
Salvia (Salvia)	Annual/perennial*	Mostly full sun	Summer–fall*	Generally well-drained soil	Borders, containers
Fuchsia (Fuchsia)	Tender perennial*	Part shade	Summer–fall	Consistent moisture, good drainage	Hanging baskets, containers
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)	Vine	Full sun–part shade	Summer	Adaptable; best with good drainage	Large trellises, sturdy structures
Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)	Annual/tender perennial*	Sun–part shade	Summer–fall	Well-drained soil	Borders, containers
Fire Pink (Silene virginica)	Perennial	Part shade–sun	Spring–early summer	Well-drained soil	Native gardens, woodland edges
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)	Annual	Part shade	Summer–fall	Moist soil	Damp areas, naturalized gardens
Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)	Shrub/small tree	Sun–part shade	Spring	Moist, well-drained soil	Shrub borders, habitat gardens
Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)	Annual/tropical perennial*	Full sun	Summer–fall	Well-drained soil	Trellises, fences
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)	Annual	Full sun	Summer–frost	Well-drained soil	Beds, borders, containers
Foxglove (Digitalis)	Biennial/short-lived perennial*	Sun–part shade	Late spring–summer	Moist, well-drained soil	Cottage gardens, back of borders

Characteristics of Hummingbird-Friendly Flowers

Hummingbirds visit many different flowers, but certain characteristics can make blooms especially attractive and accessible to them. Flower shape, nectar availability, color, and bloom timing can all influence which plants hummingbirds visit.

Tubular Flower Shape

Many flowers visited by hummingbirds have tubular, trumpet-shaped, or elongated blooms. Their long bills and extendable tongues allow them to reach nectar deep inside flowers such as cardinal flower, coral honeysuckle, penstemon, salvia, and bee balm.

Tubular flowers can also make nectar less accessible to some competing insects, although bees and other pollinators may still visit many of the same plants.

Nectar Availability

Hummingbirds have extremely high energy demands, and flower nectar provides a readily available source of carbohydrates. A garden containing several nectar-rich flowering plants can provide multiple feeding opportunities throughout the day.

Rather than relying on a single type of flower, grow several species suited to your climate and garden conditions.

Flower Color

Red, orange, and pink tubular flowers are commonly associated with hummingbird pollination, which is why plants such as cardinal flower and coral honeysuckle are popular choices for hummingbird gardens.

However, hummingbirds aren’t limited to red flowers. They also visit purple, blue, yellow, white, and other blooms when those flowers provide accessible nectar.

Successive Blooming

A hummingbird garden is most useful when it provides flowers over an extended period rather than producing one brief flush of blooms.

Combining plants with different flowering periods can help provide nectar from spring through fall. This is particularly valuable during migration periods, when hummingbirds may stop in gardens to feed as they travel.

15 Popular Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

The best flowers for a hummingbird garden provide accessible nectar while fitting the sunlight, soil, moisture, and climate conditions of your garden. Tubular flowers are especially well suited to hummingbirds, but these energetic birds visit many different flower shapes and colors.

When choosing plants, consider species native to your region and combine flowers with different bloom periods. This can provide nectar over a longer portion of the growing season.

1. Bee Balm

Bee balm (Monarda) is a summer-flowering perennial known for its distinctive clusters of tubular flowers. Depending on the species and cultivar, blooms may be red, pink, purple, or white and are frequently visited by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Most bee balm grows best in full sun to partial shade with reasonably moist, well-drained soil. Mature size varies considerably, so check the cultivar before planting. Good air circulation can also help reduce problems with powdery mildew. Native Monarda species are excellent candidates for wildlife-friendly gardens where they naturally occur.

2. Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) produces brilliant scarlet-red tubular flowers on upright stems, making it one of the most striking plants for a hummingbird garden. The flowers generally appear from summer into early fall, depending on climate and location.

Unlike many sun-loving hummingbird plants, cardinal flower naturally favors moist conditions and can grow in full sun to partial shade when adequate moisture is available. It works particularly well around rain gardens, ponds, streams, and consistently moist flower beds. This North American native perennial can reach several feet tall when growing under favorable conditions.

3. Coral Honeysuckle

Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a North American native vine that produces clusters of tubular red, coral, or orange-red flowers. Its climbing growth makes it useful for adding a hummingbird nectar source to trellises, fences, arbors, and other vertical structures.

Flowering often begins in spring and may continue intermittently into summer or beyond, depending on climate and growing conditions. Coral honeysuckle performs well in sun to partial shade, although flowering is generally strongest with plenty of light. Unlike some introduced honeysuckles, L. sempervirens is not generally considered an aggressive invasive vine in its native range.

4. Columbine

Columbine (Aquilegia) is an excellent choice for adding early-season flowers to a hummingbird garden. Its unusual nodding or upright blooms have distinctive nectar-containing spurs and appear in an impressive range of colors.

Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), native to eastern North America, produces red-and-yellow flowers that are visited by hummingbirds during spring. Columbines generally prefer well-drained soil and can grow in full sun or partial shade, depending on the species and climate. Their relatively early flowering period makes them especially useful when combined with summer and fall-blooming nectar plants.

5. Penstemon

Penstemons are sometimes called beardtongues and include a large group of plants native primarily to North America. Their tubular flowers are available in red, pink, purple, blue, white, and combinations of these colors, with many species attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Growing requirements vary considerably among species. Some penstemons thrive in dry, sunny, rocky conditions, while others tolerate different soil and moisture levels. Their mature height can range from compact plants suitable for rock gardens to much taller flowering perennials. Choosing a Penstemon native to your region is a good way to match the plant to local conditions.

6. Salvia

Salvias are among the most versatile plants for hummingbird gardens. Depending on the species, their tubular flowers may be red, pink, purple, blue, or white and can appear over an extended flowering season.

The genus includes annuals, tender perennials, hardy perennials, and shrubs, so growing requirements and mature sizes vary considerably. Many commonly grown salvias perform best in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Red-flowering species such as scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) are particularly associated with hummingbird visits, but hummingbirds also feed from salvias in other colors.

7. Fuchsia

Fuchsias are particularly useful for bringing hummingbird-friendly flowers to containers, patios, porches, and hanging baskets. Their distinctive pendulous flowers often combine shades of red, pink, purple, and white and provide nectar that hummingbirds can reach with their long bills and tongues.

Many commonly grown fuchsias prefer partial shade or protection from intense afternoon sun, although requirements vary among species and cultivars. They also generally perform best with consistent moisture without waterlogged soil. In colder climates, many ornamental fuchsias are treated as annuals or overwintered indoors because they are not reliably winter hardy.

8. Trumpet Creeper

Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) produces large orange to reddish trumpet-shaped flowers during summer. Its flower shape and nectar make the vigorous North American native vine attractive to hummingbirds.

This is a plant that requires careful placement. Trumpet creeper can grow rapidly, become very large, and spread through underground shoots as well as seeds. It may be difficult to control once established and can be aggressive in gardens. If you grow it, provide a sturdy support and plenty of space, and check regional guidance before planting because its behavior varies by location.

9. Scarlet Sage

Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) produces slender spikes of tubular flowers that are often bright red, although cultivated forms are also available in pink, white, and other shades. Its extended flowering period can make it a useful nectar plant for hummingbirds.

Native to parts of the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, scarlet sage is a perennial in warm climates but is often grown as an annual in colder regions. It generally performs best in sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Regular flowering can continue into fall where growing conditions remain favorable.

10. Fire Pink

Fire pink (Silene virginica) is a North American native wildflower with vivid red, five-petaled flowers held above relatively low-growing foliage. The flowers appear primarily during spring and early summer and are visited by hummingbirds.

This perennial is naturally associated with woodlands, rocky slopes, and other well-drained habitats within its native range. It generally performs well in partial shade to sun, depending on local conditions. Fire pink is an especially interesting choice for gardeners looking for a native hummingbird plant that provides brilliant color without the height of larger plants such as cardinal flower.

11. Jewelweed

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is a North American native annual that produces distinctive orange, spotted flowers from summer into fall. Its nectar-rich flowers are visited by hummingbirds, particularly where the plant grows naturally.

Jewelweed prefers moist soil and partial shade and is commonly found near streams, wetlands, woodland edges, and other damp locations. Plants can form sizeable colonies through self-seeding when conditions are suitable. Because it naturally favors moist environments, jewelweed can be a useful hummingbird plant for areas of the garden that would be too wet or shady for many sun-loving nectar flowers.

12. Red Buckeye

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) offers something different from the typical hummingbird perennial. This deciduous shrub or small tree produces showy clusters of red tubular flowers in spring, providing an early-season nectar source for hummingbirds within its growing range.

Native to the southeastern and south-central United States, red buckeye can grow in sun to partial shade and generally performs best in reasonably moist, well-drained soil. Its woody structure also adds height and habitat value to a garden. Gardeners should be aware that buckeye seeds and other plant parts contain toxic compounds and should not be eaten.

13. Cypress Vine

Cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) is a fast-growing annual or tropical perennial vine with delicate, fern-like foliage and small star-shaped tubular flowers. The blooms are usually bright red but may also be pink or white, and hummingbirds commonly visit them for nectar.

The vine prefers warm weather, full sun, and a structure it can climb. In cold climates it is usually grown as an annual, but it can reseed readily. Cypress vine has escaped cultivation and can behave invasively in some regions, so check local invasive-species guidance before planting it. Where it is problematic, choose a locally native hummingbird vine instead.

14. Zinnia

Zinnias (Zinnia elegans and related species) are easy-to-grow annuals that provide colorful flowers from summer until frost when conditions are favorable. Although their blooms aren’t tubular, hummingbirds may visit them for nectar, and the flowers also attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Zinnias perform best in full sun and well-drained soil and are available in a huge range of colors, heights, and flower forms. Their long flowering season makes them particularly useful for filling gaps between perennial bloom periods. They are also easy to grow from seed, making them an accessible option for new gardeners and container gardens.

15. Foxglove

Foxglove (Digitalis) produces tall spikes covered with tubular, bell-shaped flowers that may be pink, purple, white, cream, or yellow, depending on the species and cultivar. The elongated flowers can provide nectar for visiting hummingbirds as well as bees and other pollinators.

Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is typically a biennial or short-lived perennial, producing a leafy rosette before sending up its dramatic flower spikes. It generally grows well in partial shade to sun with moist, well-drained soil, although growing requirements vary among species.

Foxglove can add impressive height to woodland edges, cottage gardens, and the back of flower borders. However, all parts of foxglove are toxic if ingested, so it should be planted with care in gardens accessible to children or pets.

Clarify Native and Non-Native Choices

Both native and non-native flowers can provide nectar for hummingbirds. Native plants can offer additional habitat value because they are part of the local food web, but the best choices depend on your region and growing conditions.

When choosing hummingbird plants:

Start with locally native species – Bee balm, cardinal flower, coral honeysuckle, columbine, penstemon, and red buckeye are native to parts of North America, although their natural ranges vary.
Match plants to your garden – Consider sunlight, soil, moisture, climate, and available space rather than choosing a plant solely because it attracts hummingbirds.
Include non-native flowers carefully – Fuchsias, salvias, and other ornamentals can provide nectar even where they aren’t native.
Avoid invasive plants – Check regional invasive-species guidance before planting vigorous or non-native species that could spread beyond your garden.
Aim for continuous blooms – Combine plants with different flowering periods so nectar is available across more of the hummingbird season.

Local extension services, conservation organizations, botanical gardens, and native-plant groups can help identify suitable plants for your area.

How Hummingbirds Benefit the Garden

Attracting hummingbirds adds color and movement to the garden while also supporting natural interactions between birds, flowers, and insects.

Pollination – As hummingbirds move between flowers to feed on nectar, pollen can collect on their bills, heads, and feathers and be transferred to other flowers. This makes hummingbirds important pollinators for certain plants, particularly flowers adapted for bird pollination.
Insect feeding – Hummingbirds don’t survive on nectar alone. They also eat small insects and other arthropods that provide protein and other nutrients. However, they shouldn’t be considered a substitute for garden pest management.
Habitat value – Nectar-rich flowers, trees and shrubs for shelter, perching locations, water, and reduced pesticide use can make a garden more useful to visiting hummingbirds while giving gardeners opportunities to observe them feeding, resting, and bathing.

Plant for a Continuous Nectar Supply

One of the best ways to create a hummingbird-friendly garden is to grow several types of flowers with overlapping bloom periods. Instead of relying on one plant, aim to have something flowering during spring, summer, and fall.

Exact flowering times vary considerably by species, cultivar, climate, and location, so use the following as a general starting point and adjust your selections for your growing region.

Spring

Early-blooming flowers can provide nectar as hummingbirds arrive or become active in the garden.

Columbine – Its distinctive spurred flowers appear in spring and are available in many colors. Native columbine species can be particularly useful additions to regional hummingbird gardens.
Coral Honeysuckle – This climbing vine produces clusters of tubular coral-red flowers that can begin blooming in spring and continue into summer.
Red Buckeye – A flowering shrub or small tree with showy clusters of red tubular flowers that can provide an early-season nectar source where the plant is suitable for the climate.

Summer

Summer brings some of the widest choices for a hummingbird garden. Combining several long-flowering plants can help maintain a steady supply of blooms.

Bee Balm – Produces clusters of tubular flowers during summer and is available in red, pink, purple, and other shades.
Cardinal Flower – Its brilliant red tubular flowers typically appear from summer into early fall and are especially useful in moist garden areas.
Penstemon – This large group includes many species with tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, blue, and white.
Salvia – Annual and perennial salvias can provide tubular flowers over a long season, depending on the species and local growing conditions.

Late Summer and Fall

Late-blooming flowers can help extend the garden’s nectar supply as the growing season winds down and hummingbirds prepare for or undertake migration.

Late-Blooming Salvia – Some salvias continue flowering well into fall, especially in regions with long growing seasons.
Cardinal Flower – Depending on climate and growing conditions, flowering may continue into early fall.
Jewelweed – This moisture-loving native annual produces orange or yellow flowers and can provide nectar later in the growing season in regions where it naturally occurs.

For the longest possible flowering season, combine early, midseason, and late-blooming plants rather than planting large quantities of a single species. Choosing plants native to your region can also help create a garden that fits local hummingbirds and the surrounding ecosystem.

Designing a Hummingbird Garden

A successful hummingbird garden provides more than nectar. Combine flowering plants with shelter, perching spots, and a clean water source to create a more useful habitat.

Include a variety of plants – Grow a mixture of flowers, shrubs, vines, and other plants with different heights and growth habits. Whenever possible, include plants native to your region that are suited to your garden conditions.
Provide shelter and perches – Trees, shrubs, and vines give hummingbirds places to rest, perch, preen, and take cover. Hummingbirds may also use strands of spider silk when constructing nests, so there’s no need to remove every spider web from the garden.
Add a water source – Hummingbirds use water for drinking and bathing and may be attracted to misters, drippers, small fountains, and other sources of shallow or gently moving water. Keep water features clean and don’t allow stagnant water to accumulate.

Maintaining a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden

Once your hummingbird garden is established, routine care can help keep flowers blooming and habitat healthy. Maintenance should be based on the needs of the individual plants rather than treating every flower in the garden the same way.

Water According to Plant Needs

Newly planted flowers generally need more consistent moisture while their roots become established. After that, watering requirements vary considerably. Cardinal flower and jewelweed prefer relatively moist conditions, for example, while some penstemons perform well in much drier soil.

Group plants with similar moisture requirements together when possible, and water deeply when needed rather than following the same schedule for every plant.

Fertilize Only When Needed

Hummingbird gardens don’t automatically need monthly fertilizer. Many established native plants grow well with little supplemental feeding when planted in suitable soil, while container plants and some ornamental flowers may require more frequent nutrients.

Follow recommendations for the individual plants you are growing and avoid excessive fertilization. Too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers in some plants.

Prune and Deadhead Appropriately

Pruning requirements depend on the species. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased growth when appropriate, but check the recommended pruning time before cutting back shrubs, vines, or woody plants.

Deadheading spent flowers can encourage additional blooming in some annuals and perennials, potentially extending the period when nectar-producing flowers are available. However, leaving some seed heads and plant material later in the season can also provide food and habitat for other wildlife.

Use a Wildlife-Friendly Approach to Pests

Check plants regularly for damaged leaves, distorted growth, or visible pests. If you find a problem, identify the pest before treating it. Small infestations can often be managed by handpicking pests, removing heavily affected leaves or stems, or using a strong stream of water to dislodge aphids and other soft-bodied insects.

Avoid treating minor cosmetic damage, and use pesticides only when other appropriate methods aren’t sufficient. If treatment is necessary, choose a targeted product for the identified pest, follow the label exactly, and avoid spraying open flowers or applying products when pollinators are actively visiting the garden.

Keep Water Sources Clean

If you provide a fountain, mister, dripper, or other water feature, clean it regularly and replace the water as needed. Don’t allow stagnant water to remain in containers where mosquitoes can breed.

Regular maintenance keeps water features safer and more appealing while preventing algae, debris, and other buildup.

Reduce Pesticide Use

A hummingbird-friendly garden should support more than nectar-producing flowers. Hummingbirds also eat small insects, spiders, and other arthropods, which provide protein and nutrients that nectar alone cannot supply.

For that reason, avoid treating every insect in the garden as a pest. Caterpillars, flies, spiders, beetles, and other small creatures are part of the food web, while bees and other beneficial insects may visit many of the same flowers as hummingbirds.

Avoid routine or broad-spectrum pesticide applications, particularly on flowering plants. When a plant develops a pest problem, identify the pest first and determine whether treatment is actually necessary. Simple approaches such as hand removal, pruning affected plant material, or using water to dislodge some soft-bodied pests may be sufficient.

If additional control is needed, choose a targeted method appropriate for the specific pest and plant, and carefully follow the product label. Even products described as natural or organic can affect non-target insects, so they should not automatically be considered harmless in a wildlife-friendly garden.

Maintaining plant diversity and accepting a small amount of insect activity can help create a more balanced garden that provides both nectar and natural food sources for visiting hummingbirds.

Final Sprouts of Wisdom

Creating a garden that attracts hummingbirds starts with choosing flowers that provide reliable sources of nectar. Bee balm, cardinal flower, coral honeysuckle, columbine, penstemon, salvia, and other nectar-rich blooms can all help turn a flower garden into a useful feeding stop.

For the best results, grow a variety of plants that flower at different times from spring through fall. Include native species when appropriate for your region, provide trees or shrubs for shelter and perching, add a clean water source, and avoid unnecessary pesticide use.

Most importantly, choose plants suited to your garden’s sunlight, soil, moisture, and climate. A diverse garden with successive blooms can provide months of color for you while offering nectar, shelter, and other resources for visiting hummingbirds.

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