What Flowers Attract Hummingbirds?

Did you know that hummingbirds can drink nectar from up to 2,000 flowers daily? Because of their fast metabolism, they need to consume food that’s up to half of their body weight. With its sweet and filling nature, no wonder why flower nectar is a hummingbird’s favorite treat!

If you want to attract hummingbirds into your garden, you’ll need to plant a variety of blooming perennials, annuals, and shrubs to keep them interested. Their color won’t matter as long as their shape makes them easy to drink from.

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How do you choose flowers that hummingbirds like?

Hummingbirds can be attracted to hundreds of flower species. Unless you have a massive yard, it would nearly be impossible to plant all of them! 

Although hummingbirds have the tendency to favor red, yellow, or orange flowers, they will still be attracted to other blooms as long as they’re brightly colored and have a tubular shape. You’d also need to prioritize flowers that produce nectar for your garden since that’s what hummingbirds look for in the first place!

Planting blooms native to your region will also make it easier for hummingbirds to feed on since they’re already familiar with them. This will also make it easier to pollinate the flowers because they’re already acclimated to your weather.

8 Flowers that attract hummingbirds

If you want to build a perfect hummingbird-friendly garden, curating a variety of the right plants can make them readily flock to these colorful blooms. To help you narrow down your options, here are some of the best flowers that attract hummingbirds: 

1. Petunia

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For some reason, plenty of gardeners are drawn to the annual blooms of petunias. They’re great for beginners because they’re versatile and easy to grow. They also come in almost any shade of color and have different pattern varieties. 

As long as you keep them under full sun, petunias can repeatedly bloom. That’s why they’re ideal for feeding hummingbirds and bees.

2. Bee balm

Contrary to its name, bee balm flowers are not only exclusive to bees. Hummingbirds and butterflies are also common visitors of this spiky beauty. They can come in red, purple, pink, or white shades and tolerate partial to full sun exposure.

But cut off any dead and dying flowers if you want them to bloom from summer to fall.

3. Lupine

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Lupines are known for their purple, blue, pink, or yellow tubular blooms, making them a wonderful attraction to your garden. Although wild lupines can be difficult to grow in your backyard, their hybrid cultivars can tolerate zones four to eight.

A great thing about lupines is they bloom early in spring, allowing hummingbirds to feed from them when insects are still scarce.

4. Salvia

Don’t be fooled by the delicate buds of salvias because they’re hardy plants that can tolerate drought. Their clumped blooms make them abundant with nectar. That’s why they’re a common favorite among hummingbirds and butterflies.

You can plant salvias in areas with partial to full sun exposure. But if you keep its soil moist, you can have them blooming throughout summer.

5. Fuchsia

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With their dangling blooms, Fuchsia proves to be a unique addition to your garden. Because hummingbirds often feed from them, evolution has made it easier to harvest nectar.

Fuschias have a number of varieties, so you can choose to have them as sprawling plants, shrubs, or hanging plants. Since their blooms are two-toned, they can come in striking reds, violets, pinks, or whites.

6. Zinnia

Vibrant zinnias are easy to grow, so they’re a popular favorite for hummingbird gardens. You can find almost any color of their blooms except for shades of blues and browns.

They can grow up to four feet tall, so hummingbirds can safely drink their nectar with little distractions. A notable thing about them is that they produce seeds after hummingbirds feed on them, attracting other seed-loving bird species to your yard.

7. Trumpet vine

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These fast-growing vines do well under the full sun but ensure you’ll provide them with a sturdy surface to climb onto. They usually have red, yellow, or orange shades, which makes them easy for hummingbirds to spot.

But if you plan to plant trumpet vines in your garden, make sure to prune them regularly – or else they’ll take over your yard in a blink of an eye! 

8. Wisteria

Wisterias can give your garden a romantic aesthetic that can attract hummingbirds and people alike! 

Their dangling clusters of purple flowers make them easy for hummingbirds to feed on. But like trumpet vines, you’ll need to prune them regularly to prevent them from taking over your yard.

Purple Flowers that Hummingbirds Like

It’s no secret that purple flowers that hummingbirds like are the perfect addition to any garden. These vibrant, nectar-rich blooms not only beautify your outdoor space, but they also attract these tiny, iridescent creatures.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into some of the most stunning purple flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds.

The Allure of Purple Blooms

Purple flowers are known for their enchanting beauty and their ability to attract a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds.

The color purple represents a balance between energy and tranquility, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to create a serene yet lively atmosphere.

Salvia: The Ultimate Hummingbird Magnet

One of the most popular purple flowers that hummingbirds like is Salvia.

This versatile plant boasts a wide range of flower shapes and sizes, making it a favorite among both gardeners and hummingbirds alike.

Not only is Salvia a stunning addition to any garden, but it’s also a hardy, low-maintenance plant that can thrive in various conditions.

Buddleja: The Butterfly Bush

Another standout in the world of purple flowers that hummingbirds like is Buddleja, more commonly known as the Butterfly Bush.

This striking plant produces large, cone-shaped flower clusters that provide an abundant nectar source for hummingbirds.

Buddleja is also a favorite among butterflies, making it an excellent choice for those looking to create a pollinator-friendly garden.

Lavender: A Soothing Sanctuary

Lavender is not only known for its soothing scent, but it’s also one of the purple flowers that hummingbirds like.

These fragrant plants produce delicate purple blooms that hummingbirds can’t resist.

In addition to attracting these winged visitors, lavender is also highly valued for its therapeutic properties and culinary uses.

Agastache: A Flavorful Feast

Agastache, also known as Hyssop, is another fantastic option for those seeking purple flowers that hummingbirds like.

These plants produce tall spikes of tubular flowers that provide an easy-to-access nectar source for hungry hummingbirds.

As a bonus, Agastache is also a favorite among bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Penstemon: The Hummingbird Highway

Penstemon, or Beardtongue, is a group of plants that produce an abundance of tubular purple flowers that hummingbirds like.

These blooms are not only visually stunning, but they also provide an essential nectar source for hummingbirds throughout the summer months.

Penstemon is a versatile plant that can thrive in various conditions, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to attract hummingbirds.