Hummingbird Gardens: Plants That Feed and Attract Nature’s Flying Jewels
- The Economic Botanist
- Jun 10
- 7 min read
This blog post is about how to create a vibrant hummingbird garden with plants that attract these flying jewels. Learn about the best hummingbird-friendly plants!
“A garden touched by hummingbirds is a place where stillness listens and blossoms breathe in wingsong” – The Economic Botanist
There’s something truly magical about hummingbirds—their shimmering feathers, lightning-fast wings, and delicate visits to flowers captivate gardeners and nature lovers alike. These tiny birds are not only enchanting to watch but also play a vital role in pollination and ecosystem health. If you want to invite these “flying jewels” into your garden, planting the right flowers and shrubs is key.
In this post, I’ll explore the best plants to feed and attract hummingbirds, share a bit of history about why these birds have become so beloved, and explain why they should be a staple in your garden design.
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A Brief History: Why Hummingbirds Became So Loved
Hummingbirds have fascinated people for centuries. Their extraordinary ability to hover mid-air, fly backward, and their dazzling iridescent feathers have earned them a special place in folklore and art across the Americas. Long before modern birdwatchers celebrated them, Native American tribes revered hummingbirds for their symbolic meanings and spiritual significance.
In many Indigenous cultures, hummingbirds symbolize joy, beauty, and resilience. The Hopi, Navajo, and Aztec peoples associated hummingbirds with good luck and healing. The Aztecs, for example, linked hummingbirds to their god of war and fertility, Huitzilopochtli, believing that fallen warriors were reincarnated as hummingbirds. This reverence reflects the birds' perceived power and vitality despite their small size.
Ecologically, hummingbirds have co-evolved with native flowering plants, forming mutually beneficial relationships that have helped sustain diverse ecosystems. Their specialized feeding habits promote the reproduction of many wildflowers and crops. Today, hummingbirds continue to inspire artists, poets, and gardeners alike, embodying nature’s delicate beauty and tenacity.
The modern gardening movement has embraced hummingbirds not only for their beauty but as ambassadors for pollinator conservation. As habitat loss and climate change threaten many species, planting hummingbird-friendly gardens becomes an act of stewardship that helps protect these remarkable birds.
Understanding Hummingbird Feeding Habits
To attract hummingbirds effectively, it’s essential to understand how they feed and what fuels their high-energy lifestyles. Hummingbirds consume nectar, a sweet liquid found in many flowers, which provides the carbohydrates necessary for their rapid wingbeats — often up to 80 beats per second! Their metabolic rates are incredibly high, requiring them to eat almost constantly during daylight hours.
Besides nectar, hummingbirds also eat tiny insects and spiders, which supply proteins, fats, and essential nutrients. These insects are especially important during breeding seasons when energy demands increase.
When selecting plants for a hummingbird garden, consider several factors that influence a hummingbird’s preference:
Flower shape: Hummingbirds have long, slender bills adapted to extract nectar from tubular flowers. The more a flower’s shape matches the hummingbird’s bill, the easier it is for the bird to feed.
Color: Hummingbirds have excellent color vision and are particularly attracted to bright reds, oranges, and pinks. These colors often signal a rich nectar source. Interestingly, hummingbirds are less attracted to blues and yellows compared to red hues.
Nectar quality and quantity: Flowers that produce abundant, high-sugar nectar attract more hummingbirds. Some plants even adjust nectar production based on environmental conditions to maximize pollination efficiency.
Bloom timing: To support hummingbirds throughout their active seasons, plant a variety of species that bloom from early spring through late fall.
By planting a diverse range of flowers with these traits, you create a buffet that appeals to hummingbirds at different times and life stages.
Fun Facts
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Best Plants to Attract and Feed Hummingbirds
Choosing the right plants is the cornerstone of a successful hummingbird garden. While hummingbirds will visit many flowers, they have clear favorites, especially native species that evolved alongside them.
Top Perennials for Hummingbirds
Perennials come back year after year, providing reliable nectar sources:
Bee Balm (Monarda): A favorite among hummingbirds, bee balm offers vibrant red, pink, or purple flowers with rich nectar. Its spiky blooms bloom midsummer and attract multiple pollinators.
Columbine (Aquilegia): These delicate, nodding flowers come in a variety of colors, many tubular-shaped perfect for hummingbird bills. They bloom in spring and early summer.
Coral Bells (Heuchera): With bright red or coral flowers on tall stalks, coral bells provide nectar well into summer. They also offer attractive foliage for garden interest.
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans): Known for its bright orange trumpet-shaped flowers, this vigorous climber attracts hummingbirds in droves. It’s perfect for trellises or fences.
Salvia: Salvia species bloom over long periods and produce nectar-rich flowers in reds, purples, and blues. They’re drought-tolerant and easy to grow.
Penstemon: Often called beardtongues, penstemons offer tubular flowers in red, pink, or purple, blooming from late spring to summer.
Fuchsia: A shade-loving favorite, fuchsias have dangling, tubular flowers that hummingbirds adore. They’re great in hanging baskets or partial shade beds.
Top Annuals for Quick Blooms
Annuals provide immediate color and nectar but need replanting each year:
Zinnia: These bright, daisy-like flowers come in many colors and bloom throughout summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Petunia: Easy to grow with trumpet-shaped flowers, petunias are great for containers and garden beds.
Lantana: Known for clusters of small, brightly colored flowers, lantana blooms continuously and thrives in heat.
Nicotiana: Also known as flowering tobacco, nicotiana blooms in fragrant tubular flowers perfect for evening feeders.
Shrubs and Vines
Shrubs and vines add structure and shelter in your garden while providing nectar-rich flowers:
Honeysuckle (Lonicera): The sweet scent and tubular flowers of honeysuckle attract hummingbirds and provide cover.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja): While known for attracting butterflies, the bright flowers also appeal to hummingbirds.
Scarlet Sage: Its bright red flowers bloom from summer to fall and thrive in full sun.
Planting Tips
Plant in clusters or drifts rather than single plants to increase visibility and feeding efficiency.
Focus on flowers with tubular shapes and red or orange hues, as these are most attractive to hummingbirds.
Include a variety of bloom times to provide nectar across seasons.
Use native plants whenever possible—they’re better adapted to local conditions and support local wildlife.
How to Build a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
Creating a hummingbird haven means combining thoughtful design with practical care.
Garden Design Tips:
Layer plants: Use a mix of tall, medium, and low-growing plants to create shelter, perching spots, and feeding zones.
Continuous blooms: Plan for early, mid, and late-season flowering plants to provide nectar year-round.
Bright colors: Group red and orange flowers together to maximize attraction.
Shelter and water: Include shrubs and trees for roosting, and shallow water features or misters for drinking and bathing.
Feeders:
While natural flowers are ideal, hummingbird feeders filled with a simple sugar-water solution can supplement food sources, especially during dry periods or migration. Use feeders made of red plastic or glass to attract birds, and clean them weekly to prevent mold and disease.
Organic Practices:
Avoid pesticides and herbicides, which can harm hummingbirds directly or reduce their insect food sources. Opt for organic fertilizers and companion planting to naturally deter pests.
Benefits of Including Hummingbirds in Your Garden
Beyond their enchanting beauty, hummingbirds offer multiple benefits:
Pollination: They help fertilize many native plants and crops, supporting biodiversity and food production.
Biodiversity: By attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators, you support a balanced ecosystem with birds, insects, and plants.
Connection to nature: Watching hummingbirds brings joy, reduces stress, and fosters a deeper appreciation for wildlife.
Conservation: Planting hummingbird gardens helps mitigate habitat loss, providing essential resources as natural areas decline.
Hummingbird gardens are not just beautiful—they’re ecological powerhouses that sustain life and delight the senses.
The Bottom Line
Hummingbirds are more than just beautiful visitors—they’re essential pollinators and a source of wonder in any garden. By thoughtfully selecting and planting hummingbird garden plants, you can create a vibrant habitat that attracts these flying jewels year after year. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, keep hummingbirds in mind and watch your garden come alive with color, movement, and life.
Start planting today, and share your hummingbird garden stories with fellow nature lovers!
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Ready to transform your garden into a hummingbird paradise? Start by choosing a few of the plants we’ve highlighted and watch as these dazzling little birds begin to visit, feeding and bringing life to your outdoor space. Don’t forget to share your hummingbird garden photos and stories with us — we’d love to see how your garden blooms with these flying jewels!
If you’re looking for more tips or personalized advice, subscribe to our newsletter or reach out in the comments below. Happy gardening and may your garden always buzz with the wings of hummingbirds!
Science Reading:
Interacting with hummingbirds at home: Associations with supplemental feeding, plant diversity, plant origin, and landscape setting: This study uses plant and hummingbird data from the Hummingbirds at Home program to determine whether common wildlife-gardening recommendations correlate with intended outcomes. Learn more here
The evolution, ecology, and conservation of hummingbirds and their interactions with flowering plants: This article examines plant–hummingbird interactions in the wider context of their evolution, ecology, and conservation. Check it out here |
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