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10 Flowers that Attract Hummingbirds

Want to attract hummingbirds to your yard? Your yard has to have elements that hummingbirds enjoy. Learn 10 flowers that attract hummingbirds.

What Attracts Hummingbirds?

1.) Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red and additional bright colored flowers. For some reason, anytime they see the color red, they like to investigate it.

2.) Plant red annuals right away in spring. If you snag the hummers as they are migrating back for the season, they will stay on your property.

3.) Plant your red and brightly colored flowers in clusters, you will most certainly attract more hummingbirds. Like a large screaming target.

4.) Set out nesting materials. (Read Post )

What Hummingbird Flowers Should You Plant?

The flowers below will attract both hummingbirds and hummingbird moths. If you have never seen a hummingbird moth, I have a picture below.

1.) Bee Balm

A tall summer perennial to most zones that grows 3-5 feet tall and spreads up to 36 inches. Comes in a mix of colors.

In order to keep bee balm blooming all season, you must deadhead all spent blooms. Buy Seeds Here

2.) Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush is a shrub that comes in pink, purple or white and blooms from summer to fall and can grow up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide.Buy here.

3.) Orange Butterfly Weed

Perennial that blooms from summer into fall and can grow up to three feet tall and spread about a foot wide. Loved by butterflies and hummingbirds.

4.) Red Cardinal Flower

It is a climber. Grows about 4 feet tall and two feet wide. Buy Seed on Amazon

5.) Columbine

Perennial comes in blue, pink, purple and red and bloom from spring to mid-summer. The red, wildflower ones attract hummingbirds the most. Can grow up to three feet tall and 24 inches wide. Buy seed on Amazon

6.) Fuchsia

Considered an annual in the North and perennial in zones 10 and 11. Comes in red, pink, purple and white. It is the perfect porch plant for hanging baskets. You will be able to watch the hummingbirds visit your baskets during the day from the window. Blooms until frost. Must deadhead spent flowers and check soil every day. If very hot, twice a day. Buy seed here

7.) Phlox

Perennial to most zones. Comes in blue, pink, purple and red. The plant grows up to three feet tall and two feet around and I consider it to be the backbone of any flower garden. Blooms from spring until fall will you deadhead spent flowers. Purchased seed on Amazon

8.) Red Salvia

Annual plant that blooms until heavy frost. Spikes grow up to three inches tall and the plant will spread about a foot wide. Another plant you will have to deadhead the spent flowers if you want to keep it blooming until frost. Buy seed here.

9.) Snapdragon

The snapdragon is an annual and comes in a variety of colors. The plant will reach 6 inches to 2 feet, depending on type of snapdragon. Deadhead the plant to keep it blooming until frost. Buy Snapdragon Seeds here.

10.) Trumpet Vine

Trumpet Vine is one of my favorite backdrop trellis vines. It is a perennial for most zones. It blooms in summer and has the most beautiful orangish-red flowers. It is a climber, give it plenty of room to roam. Buy trumpet vine seed here.

Tips :

1.) As with all flower gardens, you should be planting low to high. Plant low flowers in front, high flowers in the back. Easy for the birds and butterflies to get in and out.

2.) Do you have time to deadhead all spent blooms so that your plants do not go to seed? If you do not, choose flowers that are low maintenance.

3.) Plant tube-shaped blooms they have the most nectar for the hummingbird because bees can’t reach them.

4.) Hummingbirds generally stay away from fragrant flowers. They are in it for the nectar and stay away from the sweet-smelling blooms because they attract bees.