Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers with lots of nectar. Their favorite flowers tend to be tubular in shape, which allows the hummingbird to insert its long, thin beak deep inside to reach the nectar. Some of the most popular hummingbird flowers and bushes include:
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vines produce bright, tubular orange or red flowers that hummingbirds love. They bloom throughout the summer, providing a constant nectar source. Trumpet vines are aggressive growers and climbers, so they need ample space and can be trained to climb up trellises, fences, or arbors.
Bee Balm
Also known as monarda, bee balm produces dense clusters of tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Hummingbirds are highly attracted to bee balm, which blooms in mid to late summer. Bee balm thrives in full sun and spreads rapidly, so it’s a great robust choice for attracting hummers to your yard.
Fuchsia
The pendulous flowers of fuchsia come in a wide range of colors like purple, red, pink, white, and orange. Hummingbirds love the nectar-rich, petite blooms. Fuchsia does well in partial shade to full sun and can be grown in pots or planted in borders and beds. There are many different fuchsia hybrids and varieties to choose from.
Coral Honeysuckle
A flowering vine, coral honeysuckle produces clusters of brightly colored tubular blooms in summer and fall. Hummingbirds are highly attracted to the flowers, which come in shades of orange, red, yellow, and pink. This vine does well in full sun to partial shade and can be trained to climb up trellises, fences, and poles.
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flower produces tall spikes covered in bright red tubular flowers. This perennial blooms from mid-summer into early fall, providing an ongoing nectar source. Cardinal flower thrives in full to partial sun and moist soil. It attracts ruby-throated hummingbirds as well as orioles and butterflies.
Petunias
Petunias are popular flowering annuals that come in a wide range of colors. Hummingbirds are especially attracted to red and purple varieties, as these tubular flowers tend to yield more nectar. Petunias bloom all summer into fall and can be planted in beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
Lantana
Lantana is a heat and drought tolerant perennial that produces clusters of small, tubular flowers. Blooms come in red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white. Lantana attracts hummingbirds with its nectar-rich flowers and blooms from spring into fall. It thrives in full sun and hot, humid weather.
Salvia
Also known as sage, salvia includes over 900 species. Hummingbirds love the tubular flowers of many salvia varieties, especially the reds and oranges. Popular types include pineapple sage, scarlet sage, Mexican bush sage, and Gregg’s sage. Salvia blooms from spring until frost in some zones.
Butterfly Bush
As its name suggests, butterfly bush attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds. Its dense clusters of tubular flowers come in shades like purple, blue, pink, red, and white. Butterfly bushes bloom summer through early fall and thrive in full sun and hot conditions. Regular pruning is needed to promote flowering.
Gladiolus
The tall, dramatic flower spikes of gladiolus feature ruffled, tubular-shaped blooms that attract hummingbirds. Flower colors include red, orange, pink, white, yellow, and purple. Gladiolus blooms in mid to late summer. The cut flowers also make beautiful additions to flower arrangements.
Firecracker Plant
Also known as cigar plant, firecracker plant has tube-shaped red flowers that bloom spring to fall. Hummingbirds are highly attracted to the nectar. Firecracker plant thrives in hot conditions and can be grown as an annual or houseplant. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall in containers or beds.
Marigold
Marigolds produce pom pom-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, and white. Hummingbirds visit marigolds for their sparse but adequate nectar. These hardy annuals bloom spring until fall. Plant marigolds in beds, borders, and containers in full sun.
Woodland Tobacco
In the wild, woodland tobacco (Cerinthe major) can be found growing in Mediterranean woodlands and meadows. In the garden, its blue flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds seeking nectar. This annual thrives in average to dry conditions and blooms spring into summer.
Shrimp Plant
Shrimp plant is named for its colorful bracts that resemble a shrimp. Tubular flowers emerge from these red, pink, orange, or white bracts. Hummingbirds and butterflies frequent shrimp plant for its nectar. This heat-loving annual does best in full sun and warm climates.
Columbine
Columbine produces delicate, hanging tubular flowers with curved spurs that contain nectar. Blooms come in colors like red, yellow, pink, purple, blue, and white. Columbine blooms in spring and thrives in partial shade and average soil. Hummingbirds especially like the red varieties.
Weigela
Weigela is a spring-blooming shrub that produces clusters of colorful tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. Varieties come in pink, red, white, and purple. Weigela is easy to grow, tolerates most soils, and does best with full sun. It’s a great, low-maintenance shrub for hummingbirds.
Penstemon
Also known as beardtongue, penstemon produces tubular flowers on tall, vertical spikes. Flower colors include purple, pink, red, white, and blue. Penstemon blooms in late spring through summer and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Hummingbirds flock to its plentiful nectar.
Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush refers to Callistemon shrubs that produce fuzzy, cylindrical flowers resembling a bottle brush. Hummingbirds love the abundant nectar found in the red and orange bottle brush blooms. Bottlebrushes bloom spring into summer and do best in full sun and warm climates.
Foxglove
Foxglove is a biennial or short-lived perennial that produces tall stalks lined with tubular flowers in late spring and early summer. Flower colors include purple, pink, yellow, red, and white. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar-rich blooms. Foxglove does best in part shade and average soil moisture.
Crocosmia
Crocosmia produces spikes of tubular orange, red, and yellow flowers in summer. Hummingbirds seek out these nectar-rich blooms. Crocosmia is hardy in zones 6-9 and thrives in full sun to part shade. It spreads readily, making it a great low maintenance plant for attracting hummingbirds.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is an annual flowering herb that produces colorful red, orange, and yellow blooms. The funnel-shaped flowers have a mild, sweet nectar that appeals to hummingbirds. Nasturtiums bloom summer to fall, thrive in full sun, and are super easy to grow. Plant them in beds, borders, and containers.
Hollyhock
Hollyhock is known for its tall flower stalks covered in ruffled, tubular blooms. Flower colors include red, pink, yellow, white, and purple. Hummingbirds visit the nectar-rich flowers from mid to late summer. Hollyhocks do best in full sun to part shade and average soil.
Canna Lily
Canna lily produces large, tropical-looking flowers in shades like yellow, orange, red, and pink. The tubular blooms provide nectar that attracts hummingbirds. Canna lily blooms from summer into fall. It thrives in full sun and moist, organically rich soil. Plants grow 3-6 feet tall.
Wild Columbine
Unlike garden columbine, wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is native to eastern and central North America. It produces red and yellow tubular flowers with elongated spurs. Wild columbine grows best in partial to full shade and moist, rich soil. Hummingbirds feed on its nectar from spring to summer.
Delphinium
Delphinium produces tall flower stalks blanketed in tubular blooms during spring and early summer. Flower colors include blue, purple, pink, white, and red. The nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds. Delphinium thrives in full sun and fertile, well-draining soil.
Coral Vine
Coral vine, also known as queen’s wreath, produces dangling clusters of tubular orange, red, and yellow blooms that hummingbirds love. It blooms summer into fall. A vigorous climber, coral vine can be trained up trellises, arbors, and fences. It thrives in full sun and hot conditions.
Azalea
Azaleas are spring blooming shrubs that produce colorful tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, white, orange, and yellow. Hummingbirds feed on azalea nectar in early spring when fewer nectar sources are available. Azaleas thrive in acidic, organically rich soil and partial shade.
Impatiens
Impatiens produce flowers in a wide variety of colors like red, pink, purple, white, and orange. The tubular blooms provide nectar that hummingbirds seek out all summer long. Impatiens thrive in shade and need regular water. Plant them in beds, borders, pots, and hanging baskets.
Beard Tongue
Beard tongue (Penstemon digitalis) is a perennial native to North America. It produces clusters of tubular white or purple flowers on tall spikes in late spring. Hummingbirds are attracted to the plentiful nectar. Beard tongue grows best in full sun to light shade and average soil.
Lupine
Lupine blooms in late spring and early summer, producing dense spikes of pea-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, yellow, white, red, and blue. Hummingbirds visit for the abundant nectar. Lupine thrives in full sun and dry, sandy soil. It re-seeds readily.
Cigar Plant
Cigar plant (Cuphea ignea) features tubular orange and yellow flowers with long, protruding stamens resembling cigars. It blooms year-round in tropical climates and attracts hummingbirds with its nectar. Grow cigar plant in containers or beds in full sun.
Firebush
Firebush (Hamelia patens) is a tropical and subtropical shrub known for its bright red, tubular flowers. It blooms periodically year-round. Firebush thrives in full sun and warm climates. Hummingbirds are highly attracted to its nectar-rich flowers.
Sage
Many salvias produce the tubular flowers favored by hummingbirds. Pineapple sage, scarlet sage, autumn sage, and Texas sage are just a few that attract hummers. Their blooms come in reds, purples, blues, oranges, yellows, and pinks depending on variety. Salvias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Golden Currant
Golden currant (Ribes aureum) is a western native shrub that produces bright yellow, tubular flowers in early spring. The blooms provide early season nectar for hummingbirds as they migrate north. Golden currant grows well in full sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds favor tubular-shaped flowers with adequate nectar to fuel their high metabolism. Trumpet vines, bee balm, fuchsia, and other nectar-rich plants with red, orange, and pink blooms will attract these tiny energetic birds. Plants that flower sequentially or nearly year-round offer repeated nectar sources. By landscaping with a variety of hummingbird favorites, you can provide the food these special birds rely on.