Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds have a poor sense of smell, but excellent vision. Their sight is particularly acute in the red end of the spectrum, which suggests why they are attracted to red flowers such as bee balm, cardinal flower, geraniums, honeysuckle, Canadian columbine and trumpet vine. 

Tubular flowers are also appealing. A hummingbird's long bill and even longer tongue make it easy to access nectar that other pollinators can’t reach. Plants with tube-like flowers include agastache, salvia, ajuga, heuchera, foxgloves, hosta, kniphofia and sage.

If you offer hummers a feeder filled with sugar water, planting appealing flowers nearby will make the feeder easier for them to locate. The flowers will also provide natural vitamins and minerals that are not present in sugar syrup.

In the list below, you'll find dozens of hummingbird favorites. Offering a variety of flowers that are in bloom from spring through late summer will make your yard and garden a popular destination. To learn more about attracting and protecting hummingbirds, read this article from the National Audubon Society.

FAVORITE HUMMINGBIRD FLOWERS

Trees and Shrubs

Azaleas, Butterfly Bush, Crape Myrtle, Glossy Abelia, Mimosa, Weigela

Vines

Coral Honeysuckle, Cypress Vine, Scarlet Runner Bean, Trumpet Vine

 

 Annuals and Perennials

Agastache, Ajuga, Bee Balm (Monarda), Begonia, Blazing Star (Liatris), Bleeding Heart (Dicentra), Butterfly Weed (Ascelpias), Canna, Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Columbine, Coral Bells (Heuchera), Cleome, Dahlia, Dame's rocket, Delphinium, Fire pink (Silene virginica), Four o' Clocks, Foxglove, Fuchsia, Geranium, Gladiolus, Hollyhocks, Hosta, Impatiens, Indian Paintbrush, Iris, Kniphofia, Lantana, Lavender, Lily, Nasturtium, Nicotiana, Penstemon, Petunia, Phlox, Sage, Salvia, Scabiosa, Scarlet Sage, Sweet William, Verbena, Yucca, Zinnia.

You may also be interested in reading: Best Flowers for Bees, How to Design a Bee-Friendly Garden and How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden.