Sun or Shade? Top Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden
The days are getting shorter, and it will be getting cooler soon. For me, the sight of a hummingbird zipping up to my smart hummingbird feeder is a sure sign of the changing season, and this fall, I’ve been getting more visitors than ever. After watching these little hummers for weeks, I’ve decided it’s finally time to get out in the yard and build the hummingbird garden I’ve been dreaming of for years.
If you’re like me on a budget, so I’m thinking about starting plants from seed or getting cuttings and starts from generous friends and neighbors. The good news is that many of the best hummingbird plants are actually easy to grow this way. So, what plants should we keep a lookout for? The answer really depends on your yard's unique conditions—specifically, how much sun it gets.
The Hummingbird's Menu: What Do They Crave?
Before we dive into specific plants, let's talk about what makes them so attractive to these birds. These tiny birdy have incredibly high metabolisms and are constantly on the hunt for fuel. They’re naturally drawn to red, orange, and pink tubular flowers that are packed with high-energy nectar. Nothing attracts hummingbirds quite like red, orange and yellow trumpet vines - with their massive number of horn like flowers with tons of nectar.The shape of these flowers is perfect for their long, slender beaks. By planting a variety of these, you’ll be creating a reliable, natural buffet for them that's far more vibrant than any bird feeders.
Sunny Spots: Annuals for Non-Stop Nectar
Annuals are a fantastic choice for sunny garden beds and containers. They grow quickly and provide a continuous show of color and nectar from spring until the first frost.
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Zinnias: You can’t go wrong with these. They are a true workhorse in the yard, incredibly easy to grow from seed, and the blooms just keep coming.
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Cypress Vine & Cardinal Climber: I’ve heard these are perfect for trellises or fences. They are fast-growing vines that produce a profusion of bright, tubular flowers that are an absolute hummingbird magnet.The Cypress Vine will come back if you let it go to seed
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Salvia & Vermillionaire Cuphea: These are fantastic for containers and flowerbeds. I’m hoping to get some cuttings from a friend's established plants because they are super dependable and hummingbirds can’t resist them, if you can find the red or purple.
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Million Bells (Calibrachoa): If you're looking for something for hanging baskets or containers, these are perfect. Their little bell-shaped flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds.
Shady Sanctuaries: Perennials That Return Every Year
Don't have a lot of sun? No problem. Many of a hummingbird's favorite plants actually prefer cooler, less intense light.
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Fuchsia: These are a must-have for a shady spot. Their unique, pendulous flowers look like tiny dancers and are beloved by Anna's hummingbirds. Just know that they prefer cooler temps, so they might struggle a bit in the peak of summer heat.
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Hosta: We usually grow these for their beautiful foliage, but their long flower stalks that emerge in mid-summer are a pleasant surprise. They're a great addition to any shade garden and hummingbirds will find them.
Perennial Powerhouses for Sunny Gardens
For a low-maintenance garden that gets better every year, perennials are the way to go. These plants die back in the winter and return bigger and stronger each spring.
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Salvia & Agastache (Hummingbird Mint): I’m a huge fan of these. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and attract hummingbirds by the dozen.
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Monarda (Bee Balm): With their spiky, unique flower heads, bee balm is a visual treat that also attracts bees and butterflies, living up to its name.
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Honeysuckle: A classic choice for a climbing vine. Its fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers are a hummingbird favorite. Just be sure to plant a native variety, as some can be invasive.
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Butterfly Bush (Buddleia): I know a lot of people who have this in their garden, and they swear by it. Just make sure to choose a sterile or non-invasive variety, as they can take over if not managed properly.
Building Your Hummingbird Garden: A Few Tips I've Learned
As I get ready to start my own garden project, I’ve been gathering a few tips to make it a success:
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Plant in Clumps: Put several of the same plant together. It makes the flowers more visible and appealing to a hummingbird flying by.
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Provide Perches: Hummingbirds are always on the lookout for a place to rest. Consider adding some dead branches or a trellis nearby.
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Ditch the Pesticides: Pesticides can harm hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. Embrace a natural, chemical-free garden.
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Add a Water Source: Hummingbirds love to bathe and preen. A mister or a shallow birdbath with a dripper will bring them to your yard for a refreshing drink and wash.
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Keep the bird feeders out. Use a small amount of sugar water simply to waste less when changing them if they don’t drain them. They will return. Once they start drinking from the feeders you can fill them up with more sugar water. A feeder is always there for the hummers, flowers don’t always have an unlimited supply of nectar so they won’t necessarily hang out all the time in flower beds.
I placed two hummingbird feeders at least 10 feet apart, (because males are territorial) and a Hummingbird swing between them. (A lookout) I also hung potted red Nasturtiums next to feeders & I open my compost bin lid every morning for a bit to let the flying insects out since they need protein too. One of the feeders is next to a mini pond with a solar fountain. Lots of natives.
FAQ of Plants for Hummingbirds
Q: Which flowers attract both hummingbirds and butterflies?
A: Many plants that attract hummingbirds are also beloved by butterflies. Some great choices include Zinnias, Salvia, Monarda (Bee Balm), and Butterfly Bush (Buddleia). These plants offer nectar for both and a fantastic show of pollinators.
Q: Do hummingbirds prefer feeders to be high or low?
A: While there’s no strict rule, hummingbirds generally feel safer when nectar feeders are placed high enough to be out of reach of predators, like cats. A height of around 5 to 6 feet is a good balance—it's high enough for the birds' comfort and low enough for you to enjoy the view.
Q: Is "hummingbird mint" the same as regular mint?
A: No, they are two different plants. "Hummingbird mint" is the common name for plants in the genus Agastache, like Agastache 'Tangerine Sage.' While it belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), its leaves don't have the same flavor as culinary mint (Mentha), and its flowers are far more attractive to hummingbirds.
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