25 Ways to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Lantana is perfect for beginners because it's easy to care for. It loves full sun and well-draining soil. The clusters of small, colorful flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds. In addition to their beauty, lantanas are drought-tolerant once established, making them a practical choice for gardens in hotter climates. They can reach up to 6 feet tall and are hardy in USDA zones 6 through 11.

Lantanas also attract other pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to a vibrant, buzzing garden ecosystem. To ensure healthy growth, water them moderately until they are well established, then reduce watering frequency.

Bee Balm, also known as Monarda, is great for USDA zones 4 to 9. It should be divided every few years to keep it healthy. The bright flowers attract not only hummingbirds but also butterflies and bees. Bee Balm prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, making it versatile for different garden spots.

The plant produces aromatic leaves that are often used in teas, adding another layer of utility. Bee Balm can reach heights of up to 4 feet, creating a stunning display of red, pink, purple, or white flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. Regular deadheading can encourage more blooms and a bushier appearance.

The Cardinal Flower is known for its striking red blooms. It grows well in USDA zones 3 to 9 and needs mulch to keep the soil moist. This flower can grow tall and will come back year after year. Cardinal flowers thrive in partially shaded areas with rich, moist soil, making them perfect for damp spots in your garden. They can grow up to 4 feet tall, producing vibrant red flowers that are particularly attractive to hummingbirds during their late summer to early fall blooming period.

To keep your cardinal flowers healthy, ensure they have consistent moisture and consider adding organic compost to enrich the soil.

Zinnias are easy to grow and come in many bright colors. They attract various pollinators, including hummingbirds. They do well in full sun but can get fungal diseases if it's too humid. Zinnias are annuals, which means they proliferate and provide a burst of color throughout the summer until the first frost.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from dwarf varieties perfect for borders to tall, cutting varieties ideal for floral arrangements. Zinnias prefer well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can help prevent disease.

Salvia grows well in USDA zones 4 to 11. It doesn't need much care and gets bigger over time. The colorful flowers are favorites of hummingbirds and butterflies. Salvias come in many varieties, including both annuals and perennials, with colors ranging from blue and purple to red and pink.

These plants thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, making them easy to grow in a variety of garden settings. Salvia's tubular flowers are perfect for hummingbirds, providing easy access to nectar. Additionally, many salvia varieties are drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, adding to their appeal for low-maintenance gardens.

Columbine flowers come in many colors and are suited for USDA zones 3 to 8. Cutting the flower stems after blooming can encourage more flowers. These plants add a touch of elegance to any garden. Columbines are known for their unique, spurred flowers that bloom in spring and early summer. They prefer well-drained soil and can grow in both full sun and partial shade, making them versatile for different garden areas.

Columbines are relatively short-lived perennials but often self-seed, ensuring a continuous presence in your garden. Their delicate flowers and lacy foliage make them a beautiful addition to woodland gardens and shaded borders.

Trumpet Creeper has vibrant blooms but can be invasive. It needs regular pruning and grows well in USDA zones 4 to 10. It prefers full sun. This climbing vine can reach impressive lengths, up to 30 feet, making it ideal for trellises, fences, and arbors.

The large, trumpet-shaped flowers are a bright orange-red and bloom from late summer into fall. While they are beautiful and attract hummingbirds, managing their growth is important, as they can spread aggressively. Ensure your Trumpet Creeper has plenty of space, and consider planting it in an area where it can be controlled.

Hibiscus requires daily watering when it's warm and should be brought indoors when temperatures fall below 50 degrees. Its bright flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds. Hibiscus plants thrive in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Depending on the variety, they can grow up to 15 feet tall and produce large, showy flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white.

These tropical plants bloom from late spring to early fall, providing a long season of vibrant color. To keep your hibiscus healthy, fertilize it regularly and protect it from strong winds, which can damage the delicate blooms.

Morning Glory thrives in full morning sun and needs balanced fertilization. It's suitable for USDA zones 3 to 10 and is known for its climbing habit and colorful blooms. Morning glories grow quickly, reaching heights of 10 to 15 feet, and produce an abundance of trumpet-shaped flowers in blue, purple, pink, and white.

These flowers open in the morning and close by afternoon, hence the name. They are perfect for covering fences, trellises, and arbors, adding vertical interest to your garden. Morning glories prefer well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering, especially during dry spells.

Petunias are great for containers and borders. They need deadheading to keep blooming and do well in USDA zones 10 to 11. Petunias come in a wide range of colors and patterns, from solid hues to striped and speckled varieties. They bloom from spring to frost, providing continuous color throughout the growing season.

Petunias prefer full sun and well-drained soil enriched with compost. Regular watering and fertilizing will help them thrive. These versatile plants can be used in hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden beds, making them a popular choice for adding color to any garden space.

Foxgloves are beautiful but poisonous. They need enriched soil before planting and bloom in the spring. This tall flower adds drama to garden beds. Foxgloves can grow up to 5 feet tall and produce spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. They thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

While foxgloves are biennials, meaning they bloom in their second year and then die, they often self-seed, ensuring a continuous presence in your garden. Be cautious when planting foxgloves if you have pets or small children, as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.

Bleeding Heart loves shade and needs regular watering. It's suitable for USDA zones 2 to 9 and blooms in the spring, going dormant in late summer. The delicate, heart-shaped flowers hang from arching stems, adding a romantic touch to shaded garden areas.

Bleeding Hearts prefer moist, well-drained soil and benefit from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool. They can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide, creating a lush, green backdrop for their pink or white blooms. These plants are perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and areas under trees.

Fuchsia needs good drainage and should be brought indoors during the winter. It blooms all season long and adds a tropical feel to your garden. Fuchsias are known for their pendulous, two-toned flowers that come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white.

They prefer partial shade and cool temperatures, making them ideal for hanging baskets and containers in shaded garden areas. Fuchsias need regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist and benefit from monthly feeding with a balanced fertilizer. Pinching back the stems can encourage bushier growth and more blooms.

Butterfly Bush is drought-tolerant but can be invasive. It grows well in USDA zones 5 to 10 and prefers full sun. The long, cone-shaped flower clusters, which come in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow, attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Butterfly bushes can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide, creating a striking focal point in your garden. To prevent them from becoming invasive, deadhead the spent flowers to prevent seed formation. These hardy shrubs are easy to care for and provide a continuous display of color from summer to fall.

Calibrachoa is perfect for pots and baskets. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and needs well-draining soil. The small, petunia-like flowers come in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, purple, yellow, and white. Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells, blooms profusely from spring until frost, creating a cascade of color in hanging baskets and containers.

These plants prefer full sun to partial shade and benefit from regular watering and feeding with a balanced fertilizer. Pinching back the stems can encourage fuller growth and more blooms.

Cuphea is heat and drought-tolerant and blooms all summer. It's easy to grow and attracts hummingbirds with its small, bright flowers. Cuphea, also known as a cigar plant, produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. These plants are perfect for garden beds and containers, adding a splash of color to sunny spots.

Cuphea prefers well-drained soil and benefits from regular watering during dry spells. They can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide, creating a bushy, colorful display. Cuphea is also resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for any garden.

Catmint has aromatic foliage and lavender-blue blooms. It attracts a variety of pollinators and blooms from late spring to early summer. It's hardy in many USDA zones. Catmint, also known as Nepeta, grows well in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.

The plant's fragrant leaves are often used in teas and culinary dishes, adding another layer of utility. Catmint can reach up to 3 feet in height and spread, creating a lush, green backdrop for its flowers. It is also deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens.

Beardtongue is resistant to deer and rabbits and needs full sun. It blooms beautifully and attracts hummingbirds. It's suited for various USDA zones and adds height to garden beds. Penstemon produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and white.

These plants prefer well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering during dry periods. They can grow up to 4 feet tall, creating a striking vertical element in your garden. Penstemon blooms from late spring to early summer, providing a splash of color when many other plants are just starting to grow.

Daylilies come in many flower sizes and prefer well-drained soil. They bloom throughout the summer and are suitable for various USDA zones. Daylilies are known for their long, arching leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple.

Each flower lasts only one day, but the plants produce many blooms over the course of the season. Daylilies are drought-tolerant and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. They are also relatively pest-free, making them a low-maintenance addition to any garden.

Anise Hyssop, also known as Agastache, is perfect for prairie-style gardens. Its leaves are edible, and it blooms from June to September. It attracts hummingbirds and thrives in well-drained soil. Anise Hyssop produces spikes of tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue.

The plant's aromatic leaves have a licorice-like scent and can be used in teas and culinary dishes. Once established, Anise Hyssop prefers full sun and is drought-tolerant. It can grow up to 4 feet tall, creating a striking vertical element in your garden. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.

Blazing Star is low-maintenance and does well in poor soil. It blooms in the summer and is suitable for many USDA zones. The striking flowers attract hummingbirds. Blazing Star, also known as Liatris, produces tall spikes of purple or white flowers that bloom from top to bottom.

The plant's grass-like foliage adds texture and interest to garden beds. Blazing Star prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for rock gardens and wildflower meadows. It is also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance gardens.

Lungwort blooms in late spring and prefers shade, making it unique among hummingbird favorites. Planting clusters will attract more hummingbirds. It's suited for various USDA zones. Lungwort, also known as Pulmonaria, produces clusters of tube-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white.

The plant's spotted leaves add visual interest and contrast to shaded garden areas. Lungwort prefers moist, well-drained soil and benefits from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool. It can grow up to 1 foot tall and wide, creating a lush, green ground cover in shaded borders and woodland gardens.

Oregon Grape, also known as Mahonia, is an evergreen shrub that provides a cold-weather food source for hummingbirds. It blooms in late winter and is suited for many USDA zones. Oregon Grape produces clusters of bright yellow flowers that are followed by blue-black berries.

The plant's holly-like leaves add texture and interest to garden beds. Oregon Grape prefers partial to full shade and well-drained soil. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide, making it a versatile shrub for hedges and borders. The berries are edible and can be used in jams and jellies.

Flowering Currant grows fast and is great for hedges. It blooms in early spring and attracts hummingbirds with its fragrant flowers. It's suitable for various USDA zones. Flowering Currant, also known as Ribes, produces clusters of pink, red, or white flowers that bloom in early spring. The plant's leaves turn a beautiful shade of yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest to your garden.

Flowering Currant prefers partial to full shade and well-drained soil. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide, making it a versatile shrub for hedges and borders. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.

• Supplemental feeders: Provide a simple sugar-water solution (four parts water to one part sugar) to supplement natural nectar sources. Keep feeders clean to prevent bacteria.
• Feeder maintenance: Avoid artificial sweeteners and red food coloring. Clean feeders every three days in hot weather and weekly in cooler weather.
• Perches and shelter: Add trees and shrubs to provide perching spots and shelter for hummingbirds.
• Water sources: Offer shallow birdbaths or misting devices to attract hummingbirds.
• Avoid pesticides: Use organic gardening methods to protect beneficial insects and maintain a healthy garden ecosystem.

By planting a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the growing season, you can create a vibrant garden that attracts hummingbirds. These plants will not only make your garden beautiful but also support the important role of hummingbirds in pollination. Try different flowers to see which ones work best in your garden, and enjoy watching these energetic birds.