Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to nectar-rich and tubular flowers. Popular choices include Agastache (also known as hummingbird mints), bee balm, Turk’s Cap, rosemary, delphinium, hollyhocks and cardinal flowers.
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds prefer nectar-rich flowers of all colors. They also take pleasure in flowers that smell sweet, though they will quickly ignore those without nectar.
Agastache
Agastache, also known as hummingbird mints, is a perennial that adds year-round interest and beauty to gardens. It can thrive in various growing conditions like full sun or part shade and once established becomes drought tolerant.
This genus of aromatic herbaceous plants includes 22 species and one hybrid, all native to North America. It includes anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and Korean mint (Agastache rugosa).
Both species are edible and can be used in recipes for cooking as well as garnishes on drinks and desserts. Some species also possess medicinal properties which have been employed in herbal remedies for centuries.
Anise hyssop, also known as agastache foeniculum, is grown for its leaves and flowers that possess a delightful mint-like flavor that makes them a delightful addition to beverages like iced tea or lemonade. It has been used to treat digestive problems, coughs, fevers and is sometimes combined with scutellaria to help alleviate morning sickness in pregnant women.
For an eye-catching, low maintenance display, plant agastache in large numbers in beds and borders or a butterfly garden. It also thrives well in containers.
High Country Exclusive! This charming native hummingbird mint features delicate wands of rose-pink foliage waving over gray-green foliage. For optimal viewing by hummingbirds, plant it in a sunny border or container where it will be easily seen by them. Additionally, this hardy groundcover makes an excellent addition to gardens that receive regular foot traffic.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm is a beloved flowering herb among gardeners and hummingbirds alike. This native herb requires little upkeep once established, preferring full sun and well-drained soil. Its vibrant flowers add plenty of visual interest for both humans and wildlife alike.
In addition to its flowers, this perennial herb also makes a lovely garnish for salads or can be steeped into tea. Both fresh and dried leaves have an invigorating peppery flavor that makes it an attractive ingredient in herb tea recipes.
One advantage of this attractive and easy-to-grow plant is its power to combat various bacteria and fungi. It contains high levels of thymol, which helps reduce bacterial infections and inflammation.
Bee Balm, a native of North America, is an evergreen perennial that can be grown in a perennial border, butterfly garden or edge of woodland or prairie gardens. For best results it prefers full sunlight but will tolerate part shade as well.
Although this herb is generally hardy, it is susceptible to powdery mildew – a fungal disease that causes defoliation of the plants’ foliage. To prevent mildew from ruining your plants, keep them well spaced and allow ample air circulation.
If the foliage becomes severely affected by mildew, you can cut it back to ground level. Doing this will ensure the plant continues to produce blooms next summer.
Turk’s Cap
Turk’s Cap is an attractive plant that attracts hummingbirds and other beneficial insects to your garden. Its bright red tubular flowers make a wonderful addition to any pollinator garden.
Turk’s Cap is an adaptable member of the hibiscus family native to Central and South America. It requires little care, flourishing in both shade and sun conditions alike – just make sure it gets plenty of water! To maintain its health, provide regular fertilization with high levels of potassium.
These heart-shaped leaves are covered with soft fuzz. They’re highly nutritious and can be consumed raw or cooked; they even make an invigorating herbal tea!
This native perennial is winter hardy in Texas and often grows wild along stream banks or limestone canyon walls.
It has a long bloom period and attracts hummingbirds as they migrate south in the fall. Its fruit, enclosed in vibrant capsules, are enjoyed by many birds and other wildlife.
If you want to grow this plant in your garden, be sure to place it in a sunny spot and provide it with some moisture. Doing so will encourage its growth.
Turk’s Cap is unique in that it requires less watering during winter and more frequently during active growing seasons such as spring and autumn. This is because cooler temperatures and fewer evaporating breezes cause soil moisture to be retained more effectively.
Overwatering a plant can be disastrous, so it’s best to catch it early on before it becomes completely submerged. Doing this prevents the roots from becoming rotting and allows your plant to recover more quickly.
Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It’s widely used in culinary preparations and as an essential oil. Rosemary has numerous health benefits, such as improving memory and focus, reducing inflammation, stimulating hair growth, treating dandruff, and protecting against certain bacteria and insect bites.
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region and thrives in warm climates with low humidity and water. While it prefers full sunlight, it will tolerate some shade or dry conditions. You can even grow rosemary indoors in pots or containers for seasonal use throughout wintertime.
This perennial herb grows as a shrubby form with pine needle-like leaves and small white, pink, purple or blue flowers. It is very hardy and can thrive in many soil types; however it prefers rich, well-drained soil for best results.
Hummingbirds adore this perennial bloomer. Attracted by its flower buds and enjoyed by its delicate fragrance, they make frequent visits.
For optimal rosemary plant health, wait to prune them until after the blooming season has ended. This will promote new growth for next year’s blooms.
The aroma of rosemary acts as a natural bug repellent, keeping pests away from your garden. Additionally, its nutrients contain anti-oxidants which protect against sun damage on skin cells.
Delphinium
Delphiniums, also referred to as larkspur or dolphin flowers due to their resemblance to a leaping dolphin, are an attractive perennial that adds height and color to garden borders. These trumpet-shaped blooms consist of five single or double sepals with an extended tapered back spur which gave them their names.
Delphiniums’ tall flower spikes attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, plus hummingbirds! Additionally, these plants are deer and rabbit resistant – making them an ideal choice for gardens where wildlife is a problem.
Plant delphiniums in a sunny, well-drained location that has plenty of organic matter. Delphiniums thrive best in neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.0 to 7.5). When planting your delphiniums, mix aged manure or compost into the soil and conduct a soil test beforehand to make sure everything is suitable.
Water deeply but not too often. Standing water can lead to crown and root rot, so be sure to avoid wet conditions and keep the soil dry between irrigations.
For optimal bloom, plant delphiniums in an area of your garden that receives 6-8 hours of direct sun each day. Provide shelter from wind and rainstorms which could damage delicate flower stalks.
Encourage more blooms with regular application of 10-10-10 or other slow-release fertilizer that meets their requirements. Doing this can also prevent insects from harming this plant, so use an effective insecticide. Slugs and snails may be a problem too, especially in humid or wet climates; use slug and snail bait to protect your delphiniums from these pests.
Hollyhocks
Hollyhocks are a beloved flower among cottage gardeners. They come in an array of jewel-toned shades and can be planted against walls and fences as a focal point, or used as part of the background for other blooming plants.
Hollyhocks can be started from seed indoors or outside, or purchased as plants at your local nursery or garden center. In temperate climates, hollyhocks prefer rich, moist soil that drains well; for optimal bloom timing in temperate climates, feed them a balanced fertilizer every two to four weeks during bloom time.
Hollyhocks typically are biennials, meaning that they spend their first year growing foliage and storing nutrients for the following season’s flowers. In their second year, however, they create blooms and seeds while using up a lot of energy in the process.
Hollyhocks often self-seed, allowing you to grow them in large numbers. Additionally, you can collect their seed pods throughout the season and scatter them directly in your garden.
Once your hollyhocks are planted, it is essential to water them regularly – at least once a week in temperate climates and daily in warmer ones. Use either a soaker hose or drip irrigation, but make sure not to wet the leaves as this promotes powdery mildew and rust disease.
Once hollyhocks have finished blooming, they should be pruned back to their base of stalks. Doing this helps avoid seed heads that could reseed and keeps them free of rust disease.
A Simple Of Plants Hummingbirds Like
I’m frequently asked what plants attract hummingbirds; while I know them, I have never made a list of them. So, here is a quick list of plants, which in addition to your hummingbird feeder, will help attract hummingbirds to your yard.
- Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Beardtongue (Penstemon)
- Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
- Catmint (Nepeta)
- Cigar Plant (Cuphea)
- Clove pink (Dianthus)
- Columbine (Aquilegia)
- Coral bells (Heuchera)
- Desert candle (Yucca)
- Firebush (Hamelia patens)
- Flag (Iris)
- Flame Acanthus (Aniscanthus wrightii)
- Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
- Foxglove (Digitalis)
- Jatropha (integerrima)
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Larkspur (Delphinium)
- Lily (Lilium)
- Lupine (Lupinus)
- Mandevilla (Mandevilla)
- Pentas (Pentas)
- Petunia (Petunia)
- Pincushion flower (Scabiosa)
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
- Red-hot poker (Kniphofia)
- Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ (Salvia guaranitica)
- Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens)
- Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Soapwort (Saponaria)
- Summer phlox (Phlox paniculata)
- Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
- Verbena (Aloysia Virgata)
- Weigela (Weigela)
Related References
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