Hummingbirds are tiny, acrobatic birds with dazzlingly colorful plumage. At least a dozen species frequent U.S. gardens, but fortunately, you don’t need a fancy bird feeder to attract them. By planting native plants for hummingbirds and offering them water and shelter, you can create a safe haven for these fluttering beauties.
Here, we will introduce 27 beautiful nectar-producing native flowers for hummingbirds, plus some tips for welcoming these birds to your landscape.
Quick Tips for a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
Hummingbirds can eat several tiny insects but are best known for feeding on calorie-rich flower nectar. Native plants provide an ideal source of nectar for hummingbirds. Research shows that they are especially attracted to red tubular and trumpet-shaped flowers, although they also feed on flowers of various colors and shapes.
If you want to provide a safe-haven environment for hummingbirds, remember to:
- Keep your cats inside
- Grow native nectar-rich flowering plants
- Include plants that bloom from spring through fall
- Don’t use pesticides
- Provide nearby trees, shrubs, or bare branches for perching
- Spread out your flower garden to avoid territorial fights between birds
- Provide water – an occasional misting, sprinkler, or special hummingbird bath
- If using a hummingbird feeder, keep it clean and fresh
These 27 native plant species are sure to lure in these fascinating birds.
Anise Hyssop
| BOTANICAL NAME | Agastache foeniculum |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 4 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 8 |
Anise hyssop, or blue giant hyssop, is native to the northern United States and Canada. Anise hyssop is a member of the mint family and has fragrant leaves, making it resistant to browsing deer. This plant has a long flowering period, blooming throughout the summer and into early fall. The flowers are fragrant and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The flower heads are showy spikes of densely-packed, small, pale purple blossoms.
Anise hyssop grows well from seed and will self-seed in ideal conditions. Plants will also be spread by rhizomes, and larger clusters can be easily divided. Grow anise hyssop in full sun with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Provide good air circulation to minimize powdery mildew and avoid wet soils, which can lead to root rot.
Bearberry
| BOTANICAL NAME | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
| PLANT TYPE | Evergreen shrub |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 0.5 to 1 foot |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 2 to 6 |
Bearberry, sometimes called kinnikinnick, is a low-growing shrub that thrives in cooler climates. This plant is native to northern and western North America, often growing in higher elevation sites with rocky soil. In the home landscape, grow bearberry in full sun or partial shade, with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil.
Bearberry has tough, glossy leaves that remain evergreen throughout the year. In the spring, clusters of small drooping white flowers bloom. The flowers are bell-shaped and attract hummingbirds. Fruit-eating birds enjoy the berries that develop later in the summer. Plants stay low, spread slowly, and make a good ground cover.
Beebalm
| BOTANICAL NAME | Monarda didyma |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 4 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 9 |
Beebalm, or scarlet beebalm, is a perennial wildflower native to eastern North America. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Plant it in moist, well-drained soil. Beebalm is easily grown from seed and will spread by self-seeding and rapidly growing underground stolons. If colonies grow too large or thick, they can be thinned by hand-pulling unwanted plants.
Scarlet beebalm produces copious dense clusters of scarlet-red blossoms. Each individual flower is a narrow tubular shape. With so many flowers per plant, there are plenty of feeding opportunities to keep hummingbirds and other pollinators returning for more. Beebalm is a member of the mint family, so the leaves have a distinctive aroma when crushed, which can deter deer and rabbits.
Blue Lobelia
| BOTANICAL NAME | Lobelia siphilitica |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 3 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 9 |
Blue lobelia, also known as blue cardinal flower, is a very showy wildflower native to eastern North America. This perennial plant will grow well in cooler northern climates in full sun. In warmer southern climates, it is best grown with partial shade. Soil should be constantly moist, as this plant is not tolerant of dry conditions. However, it tolerates rather wet soil and would grow well alongside streams and ponds.
Blue lobelia blooms during mid to late summer. The stunning pale purple flowers bloom along tall spikes. Because each plant can produce massive flowering stalks, they may need to be staked to stay upright. The flowers are uniquely shaped and very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants will naturalize and spread over time, forming very showy colonies.
Blue Sage
| BOTANICAL NAME | Salvia azurea |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 3 to 5 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 5 to 9 |
Blue sage is a low-maintenance wildflower native to the southeastern United States. It grows best in full sun with dry to medium-moisture soil. Plants do best in very well-drained soil and are not tolerant of boggy conditions. Blue sage is tolerant of drought, deer, and poor-quality soil. Grow it in a naturalized area, prairie garden, or butterfly garden.
The flowers of blue sage are pale purplish-blue. They grow in loose spikes and bloom from mid-summer through mid-fall. The flowers are showy and attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. Removing spent flower stalks can help prolong the blooming period, and if flower stalks grow long and top-heavy, use stakes or cages to help keep them upright.
Buttonbush
| BOTANICAL NAME | Cephalanthus occidentalis |
| PLANT TYPE | Deciduous shrub |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 5 to 12 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 5 to 9 |
Consider growing a buttonbush if you have a larger area with consistently moist soil. This native shrub grows best in moist to wet soil and can be planted in a poorly drained area where other plants struggle to grow. Buttonbush grows well in full sun or partial shade. In its natural environment, buttonbush often grows along a forested edge near a pond, stream, or other low, moist area.
Buttonbush blooms in early to mid-summer. The flowers are spherical white orbs, like little pincushions or fluffy snowballs. The highly fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and many butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. After flowering, round, reddish-brown seedheads adorn the shrub, lasting into the autumn months.
Cardinal Flower
| BOTANICAL NAME | Lobelia cardinalis |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 4 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 3 to 9 |
Cardinal flower is very showy and extremely attractive to hummingbirds. The bright scarlet-red flowers are tubular with prominent surrounding lobes. Flowers bloom from mid to late summer and make a spectacular addition to your hummingbird garden or along a moist streamside.
Cardinal flower is a plant that needs constant soil moisture. It does well in full sun in cooler climates, but it prefers a bit of afternoon shade in warmer climates. Plants can be started from seed and will self-seed in ideal conditions. Over time, clusters of cardinal flowers fill small areas, but since this is a short-lived perennial, colonies rarely become too dense.
Columbine
| BOTANICAL NAME | Aquilegia canadensis |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 3 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 3 to 8 |
Columbine is an early spring-blooming perennial wildflower native to eastern North America. It has showy pale red flowers with yellow centers. The flowers are very uniquely shaped and hang on the stems, nodding downwards. Early-season hummingbirds will visit the flowers, performing extra acrobatics to access the nectar inside.
Columbine does best in a location with moist, well-drained soil and partial shade but also grows well in full sun. The leaves may stay green throughout the growing season in cooler climates, but in hotter, sunnier areas, the foliage tends to brown and fade shortly after blooming. Columbine is easily grown from seed and will readily spread by self-seeding.
Coral Honeysuckle
| BOTANICAL NAME | Lonicera sempervirens |
| PLANT TYPE | Vine |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 8 to 15 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 9 |
Coral honeysuckle is a vigorously growing vine that looks beautiful growing up a tall trellis, arbor, or climbing along a fence. This plant is native to the southeastern United States, growing in moist, open woodlands. It grows well in full sun or partial shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Coral honeysuckle blooms from mid-spring until mid-summer. The flowers are bright red, long, and tube-like, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Coral honeysuckle is also a butterfly larval host plant. After flowering, vines bear small reddish-orange fruits which persist through the summer. If vines become too large for the allotted space, they can be pruned back after flowering.
Fire Pink
| BOTANICAL NAME | Silene virginica |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 1 to 1.5 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 8 |
Fire pink is an attractive spring-blooming wildflower native to open woodlands and grassy thickets of eastern North America. It grows best in full sun or partial shade and dry to medium-moisture well-drained soil. This short-lived perennial plant can be grown from seed and readily self-seeds in optimal conditions.
Fire pink has bright red, 5-petaled flowers. They bloom singly atop tall flowering stems that tower above a simple leafy basal rosette. The flowers are very showy and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Fire pink would look nice growing in a naturalized area along a woodland edge.
Fireweed
| BOTANICAL NAME | Epilobium angustifolium |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 5 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 2 to 7 |
Fireweed is a perennial wildflower native to northern North America. It grows best in full sun to partial shade. This plant benefits from consistently moist soil with good drainage. Fireweed can be aggressive and spread quickly. Control unwanted growth by deadheading spent flowers and pulling unwanted new seedlings. It can also be grown in a container to help control unwanted spreading.
Fireweed blooms during the summer months. Tall flowering spikes produce a loose assortment of pale pinkish-purple flowers. These flowers are showy and attract hummingbirds and insect pollinators. A large colony of fireweed in full bloom is quite impressive.
Foxglove
| BOTANICAL NAME | Penstemon spp. |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 1 to 3 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 3 to 8 |
Foxglove, also known as beard tongue, is a varied genus (Penstemon) of plants with many beautiful species and cultivars. There are several species native across the United States, inhabiting different regions. In general, foxglove grows well in full sun to partial shade. These plants may perform well in dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil and generally tolerate browsing deer.
Foxglove comes in various colors, including white, pink, and purple. They typically bloom in spring and summer, although some varieties bloom into the early fall. The trumpet-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and various insect pollinators, including honeybees. They can be grown from seed or divided from larger clusters as plants naturally spread over time.
Golden Currant
| BOTANICAL NAME | Ribes aureum |
| PLANT TYPE | Deciduous shrub |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 3 to 7 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 8 |
The golden currant, also known as buffalo currant, is native to the central and western United States. This attractive deciduous shrub can be planted as part of a hedge row or in a garden area with dappled shade. It grows well in rich, dry-to-medium moisture, well-drained soil. Plants will spread by suckers to form dense colonies.
Golden currant has attractive, edible orange fruits that can be used for jellies and jams or leave them on the plant to feed the birds. The flowers are relatively small, yellow, and trumpet-like. The flowers bloom in mid to late spring and attract early-season hummingbirds and butterflies. Golden currant is susceptible to an assortment of pests and diseases. Check with your local agricultural extension agent to see if you can successfully grow this plant in your area.
Hummingbird Trumpet
| BOTANICAL NAME | Epilobium canum |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 1 to 3 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 5 to 9 |
Hummingbird trumpet, sometimes called California fuchsia or Zauschneria, is a shrubby perennial native to the westernmost states. It grows best in full sun with dry, well-drained soil. While this plant closely resembles ornamental fuschia flowers, this species is native to the United States and non-invasive.
Hummingbird trumpet is appropriately named. The bright red-orange flowers bloom in mid to late summer and attract hummingbirds. The flowers are very showy, long, and tubular. These plants don’t mind drought, browsing deer, and poor soil conditions.
Indian Paintbrush
| BOTANICAL NAME | Castilleja coccinea |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 0.75 to 1.5 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 8 |
Indian paintbrush, or scarlet Indian paintbrush, is native to grasslands and open woodlands of central and eastern North America. It can be started from seed but can be challenging to establish in the home garden.
The challenge comes from the fact that the Indian paintbrush is semi-parasitic and requires certain other plants to grow nearby. For this reason, this plant is best grown in a larger naturalized setting that closely mimics its natural habitat.
Indian paintbrush blooms in late spring or early summer. The bright red-orange flowers resemble paintbrushes dipped in brilliantly-colored paint. These flowers are very showy and attract hummingbirds. Plants are biennial or short-lived perennials, blooming in their second year and dying back shortly thereafter.
Jewelweed
| BOTANICAL NAME | Impatiens capensis |
| PLANT TYPE | Annual |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Part shade to full shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 5 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 2 to 11 |
Jewelweed is a fast-growing annual that thrives in rich, moist, shaded areas. This plant is ideal for streamsides, pond edges, or a rain garden. It naturally occurs throughout much of the United States, except in dry, arid regions.
Jewelweed grows into bushy herbaceous masses. Flowers bloom from early summer through frost. The flowers bloom individually along the stems. They are speckled orange or yellow and trumpet-like, delicately dangling from thin stems.
The flowers are very showy and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. After flowering, thickened, oblong seed capsules form. When fully ripe, the seed capsules burst open, sending seeds flying to begin new plants wherever they land.
Larkspur
| BOTANICAL NAME | Delphinium spp. |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 4 to 6 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 3 to 7 |
Many varieties of larkspur are native to different regions of North America. Larkspur is typically found in moist grasslands and open woodlands. It grows best in somewhat cooler climates. Plant larkspur in a location with full sun with medium-moisture, well-drained soil. This plant is easily grown from seed and will naturalize and spread in ideal conditions.
Larkspur typically blooms in spring or summer. Flowers are vibrant shades of pink, purple, blue, and white. The flowers are very showy and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Taller plants may become top-heavy and require staking to stay upright. These plants also require good air circulation to stay healthy and reduce the risk of fungal leaf diseases such as powdery mildew.
Mealycup Sage
| BOTANICAL NAME | Salvia farinacea |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 1 to 3 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 8 to 10 |
Mealycup sage is a beautiful plant native to the prairies and meadows of the south-central United States. It is winter-hardy only in the warmest climates but can be grown as an annual in cooler climates. Mealycup sage does best in full sun or dappled shade. Give it medium-moisture, well-drained soil.
Mealycup sage has a long flowering season, blooming from mid-spring through frost. The tall spikes of deep purple flowers are somewhat trumpet-like and attract a myriad of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Plants are easy to grow, low-maintenance, and are not bothered by deer.
Orange Honeysuckle
| BOTANICAL NAME | Lonicera ciliosa |
| PLANT TYPE | Vine |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 10 to 20 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 5 to 9 |
Orange honeysuckle is native to western North America in open woodlands and brushy thickets. It can trail along the ground as a ground cover or climb up a trellis, arbor, or fence. The bright orange flowers bloom from mid-spring through mid-summer. Flowers are long and tubular, developing in terminal clusters, and very attractive to hummingbirds and bees.
Orange honeysuckle grows best in full sun to partial shade. Plants grown in heavier shade will still do well but may not bloom as profusely. Give it rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Plants can be propagated from seed or cuttings. If vines become too long and cumbersome, they can be pruned back to a desired length after flowering.
Phlox
| BOTANICAL NAME | Phlox paniculata |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 4 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 8 |
Phlox, sometimes called garden phlox or fall phlox, is a beautiful perennial wildflower native to the central and eastern United States. It blooms from early summer until the first frost. The flowers grow in clusters and vary in color from white to pink to pale purple. Flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Phlox grows best in a location with full sun to dappled shade. Plants are susceptible to powdery mildew and benefit from good air circulation. Soil should be medium moisture and well-drained. Phlox is easily grown from seed and will self-seed in the garden. Unwanted spread by seeding can be controlled by deadheading spent flowers and regular thinning of dense clusters.
Red Buckeye
| BOTANICAL NAME | Aesculus pavia |
| PLANT TYPE | Deciduous shrub |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Part shade |
| HEIGHT | 10 to 15 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 8 |
Red buckeye is a medium-sized shrub native to the central and southeastern United States. This plant would be an excellent addition to a shade garden, native hedge, or forested edge. It does best in a partially shaded area with medium-moisture, well-drained soil.
The red buckeye typically forms irregularly shaped crowns with a few prominent stems and large, palmately compound leaves. The flowers bloom in the spring and are very showy. Long flowering stems develop at the terminal ends of branches, lined with deep pinkish-red flowers. The flowers are long and tube-like and perfect for foraging hummingbirds.
Red Flowering Currant
| BOTANICAL NAME | Ribes sanguineum |
| PLANT TYPE | Deciduous shrub |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 5 to 12 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 6 to 8 |
Red flowering currant is an attractive shrub native to western North America. Check with your local agricultural extension agent to determine if currant and gooseberry plants are permitted in your region, as these plants have been associated with carrying and spreading white pine blister rust.
If currants are permitted in your area, they can be grown in full sun with rich, moist, well-drained soil.
The red-flowering currant has beautiful pink flowers that bloom in the spring. The flowers are fragrant and very attractive to hummingbirds. Rough, round, dark purple fruits form in summer and are eaten by birds and small mammals. Currants have good fall colors and can be enjoyed in the autumn landscape.
Rough Blazing Star
| BOTANICAL NAME | Liatris aspera |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 3 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 3 to 8 |
Rough blazing star is an extremely showy wildflower native to central and eastern North America. Blazing star is a typical plant in tallgrass prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. It grows best in full sun with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. This native plant is drought-tolerant but will not tolerate constantly wet soil.
Rough blazing star blooms from mid-summer through the first frost. Tall showy flower spikes produce dense clusters of pale purple flowers that appear rounded and densely feathery. The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. After flowering, rough, brown seedheads appear, which are ornamental and enjoyed by seed-eating birds.
Scarlet Gilia
| BOTANICAL NAME | Ipomopsis spp. |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 5 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 6 to 9 |
Scarlet Gilia is a beautiful native wildflower. I. aggregata is native to the western states, while I. rubra is native to the southeastern states. Both produce tall flowering spikes of bright red, tubular flowers. These flowers are very showy and attract hummingbirds. Flowers bloom throughout the summer months.
Grow scarlet gilia in a garden location with full sun. This plant is drought-tolerant and deer resistant and would do well as part of a rock garden, perennial garden, pollinator garden, or native wildflower garden. Soil should be dry to medium moisture and very well-drained. Plants will naturalize in ideal conditions and spread by self-seeding.
Scarlet Sage
| BOTANICAL NAME | Salvia coccinea |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun |
| HEIGHT | 1 to 2 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 8 to 10 |
Scarlet sage, also known as Texas sage, has brilliant red flowers that bloom from mid-summer through early fall. The flowers bloom in loose clusters along flowering spikes and are tube-shaped. Hummingbirds and butterflies love these flowers and will visit frequently during their long blooming period.
Scarlet sage does best in full sun but will tolerate light, dappled shade, especially in hotter climates. Grow it in medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Scarlet sage is easy to grow and low-maintenance. Plants can be started from seed and will self-seed in ideal conditions. Deer do not bother this plant.
Trumpet Creeper
| BOTANICAL NAME | Campsis radicans |
| PLANT TYPE | Vine |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 25 to 40 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 4 to 9 |
Trumpet creeper is a familiar vine native to the southeastern United States. It will readily grow up trees, along fences, or over arbors. It is a fast-growing and vigorous vine, so be prepared to give it plenty of growing space! Unwanted extra runners must be pruned regularly to prevent them from spreading thickly through an area. Mature vines can grow very thick and heavy.
Trumpet creeper does very well in either full sun or partial shade. This plant is not picky about soil type and is not bothered by browsing deer. Trumpet creeper blooms in mid-summer. The flowers are large and showy, growing in clusters along the vines. Hummingbirds willingly visit these long, tubular flowers.
Wild Bergamot
| BOTANICAL NAME | Monarda fistulosa |
| PLANT TYPE | Herbaceous perennial |
| SUN REQUIREMENTS | Full sun to part shade |
| HEIGHT | 2 to 4 feet |
| HARDINESS ZONES | 3 to 9 |
Wild bergamot is a mint family member with fragrant leaves, stems, and flowers. The flowers bloom from mid-summer until the first frost and draw in hummingbirds, butterflies, and various other pollinators. The blossoms are pale purple and tube-like, growing in clusters at the tops of the leafy stems.
Grow wild bergamot in full sun, although it will tolerate some light afternoon shade. This plant grows best in dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It is resistant to deer and drought and will accept poor soil conditions. Plants are easily grown from seed and will self-seed in the garden. Thin densely crowded colonies to reduce unwanted spread and also improve air circulation.
Final Thoughts
Native plants are beautiful additions to the landscape. Many are low-maintenance and easy to grow. Native plants also benefit populations of birds and butterflies, and there are plenty of showy native plants favored by hummingbirds. You can attract hummingbirds by planting many nectar-rich plants that bloom from spring through fall.
You can improve your hummingbird-friendly habitat by providing a water source and perches and keeping your cats inside. Once you have established your plantings, you can enjoy the colorful blossoms, lush foliage, and lively hummingbirds and butterflies that will frequent your garden.
