While feeders are a wonderful supplement, nothing compares to the natural nectar sources that hummingbirds have evolved alongside for millions of years. Native plants provide the perfect nutrition and attract the insects that hummingbirds also need for protein.
The Top Five
Here are our top picks for native plants that attract hummingbirds across a wide range of US climates:
- Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) — A vigorous native vine with clusters of tubular red flowers. Blooms spring through fall.
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) — Vibrant red blooms that hummingbirds can't resist. Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) — Brilliant red spikes that bloom in late summer. Prefers moist soil and partial shade.
- Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) — Delicate red-and-yellow flowers that bloom in early spring when hummingbirds first arrive.
- Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) — Large, showy orange-red flowers that bloom all summer. A hummingbird magnet.
Planning for Continuous Bloom
The key to keeping hummingbirds in your garden all season is to have something blooming from early spring through fall. Choose a mix of plants with staggered bloom times, and your yard will become a natural hummingbird haven.
