Top Annual and Perennial Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

A hummingbird’s darting flight and iridescent colors can transform any garden into a breathtaking spectacle. To invite these tiny wonders into the landscape, gardeners should choose nectar-rich flowers that provide food, cover, and vibrant color from early spring through fall. This article explores the best annuals and perennials for attracting hummingbirds, reveals essential growing tips, and touches on herbs that offer forage and habitat—all essential to building a hummingbird haven.

Why Do Hummingbirds Visit Gardens?

Hummingbirds depend on sugary nectar as a primary food source, which fuels their high-energy metabolism. They seek out flowers with long, tubular shapes and vibrant colors—especially red, orange, and hot pink. Planting a mix of annual and perennial blooms in varied heights ensures hummingbirds will visit frequently.gardendesign+2

Top Annual Flowers for Hummingbirds

Annuals provide reliable, season-long bloom—and thus, an ongoing supply of nectar even in new or rotating garden beds. Here are the best annual performers for attracting hummingbirds:

Salvia (Annual Firecracker Plant)

Garden annual salvias burst with nectar-rich tubular blooms in red, pink, purple, and blue. Plants like Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens) and Red Salvia reach up to 2 feet and bloom until frost. Their upright stalks offer easy feeding sites and vivid color.birdsandblooms

Petunia

Petunias’ wide, trumpet-shaped flowers are a hummingbird favorite for both color and nectar supply. Available in many forms and colors, they bloom prolifically in containers or ground beds.fairviewgardencenter+1

Calibrachoa (Million Bells)

Resembling small petunias, calibrachoa are low maintenance, come in a rainbow of shades, and attract hummingbirds reliably. These trailing plants are perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes.gardendesign

Fuchsia

Fuchsias thrive in shady conditions and offer pendant, tubular blooms in brilliant pinks and purples—ideal for feeding hummingbirds in sheltered garden corners.birdsandblooms+1

Cleome (Spider Flower)

Spider flowers produce tall, spiky blooms with abundant nectar, drawing hummingbirds throughout the season. Their airy shape suits cottage-style and pollinator gardens.fairviewgardencenter+1

Impatiens

Best for shady beds, impatiens yield soft clusters of blooms all season. While not a top nectar producer, their color and shape still attract hummingbirds—especially newer cultivars.birdsandblooms+1

Nasturtium

Nasturtiums have brilliant orange and yellow flowers with nectar spurs perfect for hummingbird feeding. They also deter pests and brighten vegetable beds.jccwmg+2

Zinnia

Zinnias’ bold, daisy-like flowers in reds, hot pinks, and oranges are highly visible to hummingbirds and bloom steadily through summer.parransgreenhouse+1

Verbena

Verbena produces clusters of small, brightly colored tubular flowers on airy stems. It’s beloved by hummingbirds and easy to grow in borders.gardendesign+1

Pentas

Pentas, or Egyptian stars, bear dense clusters of star-shaped flowers in red, pink, or lavender. They bloom tirelessly in sun and attract hummingbirds all summer.gardeningwithcreekside+1

Top Perennial Flowers for Hummingbirds

Perennials create a lasting foundation for hummingbird gardens, returning year after year with minimal effort. These top selections bloom in succession, offering food from spring through fall:

Monarda (Bee Balm)

Monarda’s firework-like blooms in red, magenta, and pink are packed with nectar. Border plantings of bee balm guarantee hummingbirds return, and its fragrant foliage repels deer.rareroots+2

Agastache (Hummingbird Mint, Anise Hyssop)

Agastache’s spiky blooms in purple, coral, and blue emit a sweet scent and last for months. Agastache is drought tolerant and reliable—try ‘Blue Fortune’ or ‘Black Adder’.nittygrittylife+2

Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Penstemon features upright stems of tubular flowers in red, purple, or pink, for easy hummingbird access. A must in cottage, prairie, or xeriscape gardens.usperennials+2

Salvia (Perennial Sage)

Both tender and hardy salvias provide nectar from spring through autumn. Red-flowering forms are particularly attractive; ‘Hot Lips’ and ‘Caradonna’ are top choices.rareroots+2

Lobelia

Lobelia’s electric blue and red flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a standout for moist or woodland sites.jccwmg+1

Physostegia (Obedient Plant)

Obedient plant offers spikes of lavender-pink tubular flowers, creating a magnet for hummingbirds in mid- to late summer.usperennials

Chelone (Turtlehead)

Chelone’s snapdragon-like pink or white blooms are well-structured for hummingbird feeding. It prefers moist garden spots and bright shade.usperennials

Aquilegia (Columbine)

Columbines produce unique nectar spurs in red, blue, violet, or yellow, blooming in spring when hummingbirds are migrating. Native species are best for wildlife gardens.jccwmg+1

Hemerocallis (Daylily)

Daylilies’ long-blooming, trumpet-shaped flowers provide midday nectar snacks for hummingbirds in every color but blue.jccwmg+1

Lonicera (Honeysuckle)

Noninvasive honeysuckle vines bear cascades of fragrant tubular blooms, usually in orange, coral, or yellow. Lonicera attracts hummingbirds and provides vertical interest.rareroots+1

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Heuchera’s delicate spikes of tiny bell-shaped flowers come in a multitude of shades, making them excellent options for shady borders.fairviewgardencenter+2

Phlox

Garden phlox yields fragrant heads of tubular flowers in pale pink, red, or purple—perfect for hummingbirds in sun or part shade.fairviewgardencenter+1

Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)

Bleeding heart’s dangling blooms in pink and white attract hummingbirds in woodland gardens and shade beds.usperennials

Echinacea (Coneflower)

While coneflowers primarily attract bees and butterflies, some varieties with tubular petals will entice hummingbirds, especially in mixed perennial beds.swansonsnursery+1

Herbs That Attract Hummingbirds

Herbs are not just for the kitchen—a number of culinary and medicinal herbs support hummingbirds, either via attractive flowers or nectar.nittygrittylife+1

Anise Hyssop

Tall spires of purple blooms lure hummingbirds and provide dual-use as a respiratory herb. Anise hyssop creates vertical drama in gardens and long nectar seasons.nittygrittylife

Rosemary

Rosemary’s sky-blue flowers blossom in early spring, offering food while little else blooms. Its fragrant stems deter deer as well.nittygrittylife

Mint Family: Mint, Basil, Oregano, Thyme

All mints (Lamiaceae family) feature tiny tubular blossoms perfect for hummingbirds. Allow herbs to bloom rather than snipping buds, especially African Blue basil and Thai basil, for sustained color and nectar.jccwmg

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm’s minute white flowers supply nectar, especially if allowed to grow tall and bushy.jccwmg

Planting and Habitat Tips for Maximum Hummingbird Attraction

Use Color and Shape

Red, orange, and hot pink tubular flowers are most attractive, but hummingbirds will also visit purple and blue, provided the blooms offer easy access to nectar.audubon+2

Layer Annuals and Perennials

Combine quick-blooming annuals with reliable perennials for a season-long display. Place tall perennials at the back and fill front with compact annuals for “layers” of color.usperennials

Provide Water and Perches

Shallow birdbaths or misters, plus small trees or trellises, support hummingbird feeding and resting behaviors.audubon

Avoid Pesticides

Chemicals can harm hummingbirds or reduce the insect population they also require for protein. Choose organic gardening practices to maintain a safe environment.audubon

Choose Native Varieties

Whenever possible, select native plants that hummingbirds rely on naturally. These bloom at just the right time to support migrating and local birds. Avoid invasive exotics that offer low nectar.audubon

Bloom Calendar: Succession of Flowers

Designing the garden for continuous blooms ensures nectar is available for migrating, breeding, and resident hummingbirds throughout the year:

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Top Flowering Plants Table for Hummingbirds

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Conclusion

Cultivating a garden that attracts hummingbirds is as much about thoughtful design as flower choice. A mix of bountiful annuals and resilient perennials, interwoven with blooming herbs, can transform any outdoor space into a living tapestry of color, motion, and life. By selecting plants that offer nectar across seasons, avoiding chemicals, and layering blooms at many heights, gardeners can enjoy the spectacle of hummingbirds for months on end—all while supporting the health of these beloved, magical pollinators.