How To Attract Hummingbirds

Flowers and Vines That Will Make a Difference

Hummingbirds are attracted to many bright colors so the plants and flowers you choose can have blossoms that span the rainbow. Let’s review flowering plants that are “Hummingbird Specials”. Bee Balm, also known as Monarda, is a perfect plant to draw hummingbirds to your yard. It grows about two to four feet high and has pink, red or white blossoms in early summer. It needs to be planted in soil that drains well, and located in a place where it will get a good deal of sunlight.

Delphinium is also a beautiful flower and hummingbirds love their purple and blue blossoms; you will see them zipping around these flowers in no time. They grow at different heights so you can purchase them accordingly, giving you some flexibility in tailoring them to your new or existing landscape. They need well-drained soil and protection from wind – and grow nicely along fences or walls.

Coral Bells are a terrific low-maintenance option. Known for their unusual foliage, they range in height from 6-18 inches. Bell-shaped flowers emerge from late spring to early summer. If you live where temperatures get hot, plant your Coral Bells where they will be in light shade. If you have mild summers, you can plant them in full sunlight. Blossoms come in a variety of shades of pink, coral, red and white.

Four O’Clocks are another excellent hummingbird attractor – they get their name because they bloom around 4 in the afternoon. When it's cloudy, they will stay open all day long. Blossoms range from red to pink to white, but also come in yellow. As an added benefit, Four O'Clocks produce a strong, pleasant fragrance. Another is that they have few problems with insects or disease.

Here is a list of the many, but not all of the flowers and vines hummingbirds are attracted to: Coral Honeysuckle, Cypress Vine, Morning Glory, Canna, Cardinal Flower, Columbine, Coral Bells, Firespike, Foxglove, Flowering Tabacco, Fuchsia, Geranium, Begonia, Hollyhocks, Hosta, Hummingbird Mint (Agastache), Impatiens, Jewelweed, Jacobiana, Little Cigar, Lupine, Penstemon, Petunia, Scarlet Runner Bean, Shrimp Plant, Trumpet Creeper, Vines Honeysuckle and Yucca.

What Trees and Shrubs Mean to Hummingbirds

Trees and shrubs are important to the overall design of your yard because they provide critical shelter, nesting and over-night roosting spots for hummingbirds. Here are some of the attention-getting, “hummingbird popular” trees and shrubs you might consider when planning your bird-scape: Azalea, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Cape Honeysuckle, Flame Acanthus, Flowering Quince, Lantana, Manzanita, Mimosa, Red Buckeye, Tree Tobacco, Turk's Cap and Weigela.

If you are uncertain as to what vegetation will flourish in the geographical area where you live, check with your local nursery for guidance.