Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures that captivate our attention with their vibrant colors, tiny size, and rapid wing beats. These small birds are renowned for their ability to hover in mid-air and move swiftly from one flower to another while feeding on nectar. To attract these delightful creatures to your garden, it is essential to provide the right plants that offer them food and shelter. Here are 10 beautiful plants that you can add to your garden to attract hummingbirds and create a little slice of paradise in your backyard.
1. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Known for its vibrant red, pink, and purple flowers, bee balm is a favorite of hummingbirds. This fragrant plant produces tubular flowers that are rich in nectar, making them irresistible to these tiny birds. Bee balm also blooms throughout the summer, providing a continuous food source for hummingbirds.
2. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
With its trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow, the trumpet vine is a popular choice for attracting hummingbirds. This fast-growing vine can reach heights of up to 30 feet, making it an excellent choice for covering pergolas, fences, and arbors. The trumpet vine blooms in the summer and fall, providing a long-lasting food source for hummingbirds.
3. Salvia
Salvia plants, also known as sage, are another favorite of hummingbirds. These plants produce spikes of tubular flowers in shades of red, purple, and blue, which are rich in nectar. Salvia blooms throughout the summer and fall, providing a continuous food source for hummingbirds.
4. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
The cardinal flower is a striking plant with bright red tubular flowers that are a favorite of hummingbirds. This perennial plant blooms in late summer and early fall, providing a late-season food source for these tiny birds. Cardinal flowers also attract butterflies and bees to the garden.
5. Penstemon
Penstemon plants, also known as beardtongue, produce tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. These plants are highly attractive to hummingbirds, as the tubular flowers provide easy access to nectar. Penstemon blooms throughout the summer, providing a continuous food source for hummingbirds.
6. Columbine (Aquilegia)
Columbine plants feature delicate flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and blue, which are a favorite of hummingbirds. These plants bloom in the spring and early summer, providing an early-season food source for these tiny birds. Columbine plants also attract butterflies and bees to the garden.
7. Lantana
Lantana plants are a popular choice for attracting hummingbirds to the garden. These plants produce clusters of colorful flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, which are rich in nectar. Lantana blooms throughout the summer and fall, providing a long-lasting food source for hummingbirds.
8. Fuchsia
Fuchsia plants feature unique pendulous flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white, which are highly attractive to hummingbirds. These plants bloom throughout the summer and fall, providing a continuous food source for these tiny birds. Fuchsia plants also attract butterflies and bees to the garden.
9. Black and Blue Salvia (Salvia guaranitica)
Black and Blue Salvia is a stunning plant that produces tubular flowers in shades of blue and purple, which are a favorite of hummingbirds. This plant blooms throughout the summer and fall, providing a long-lasting food source for these tiny birds. Black and Blue Salvia is also highly attractive to butterflies and bees.
10. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Butterfly bush plants produce long spikes of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white, which are highly attractive to hummingbirds. These plants bloom throughout the summer and fall, providing a long-lasting food source for these tiny birds. Butterfly bush plants also attract butterflies and bees to the garden.
In conclusion, attracting hummingbirds to your garden can be a rewarding experience that brings beauty and joy to your outdoor space. By planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers that bloom throughout the year, you can create a haven for hummingbirds and other pollinators. Consider adding some of these beautiful plants to your garden to attract hummingbirds and create a thriving ecosystem in your backyard. With their dazzling colors and cheerful presence, these tiny birds are sure to bring delight and wonder to your garden for years to come.
