Nectar is the only reason that hummingbirds visit flowers in the first place. They need this sugar solution to fuel their high energy lifestyle. (They flap their wings around 60 times per SECOND)Also, a common trait of many flowers that attract hummingbirds is that they are long and tubular. Insects have a hard time reaching the nectar in these types of flowers, but hummingbirds, with their long beaks and tongues, are perfectly adapted.
I wanted to find hummingbird flowers that were common and typically supplied by your local nursery or easy to buy from a reputable company online.
Trumpet Vine is an excellent flower to attract hummingbirds (it’s even commonly referred to as “hummingbird vine”), as it features long, tubular, bright flowers with lots of nectar.
It’s native to the southeast United States but is easy to grow in most of the country. And I do mean GROW. It has a reputation for growing like crazy, and I can second that with my first-hand experience. It needs to be trimmed regularly, or it will take over an entire area. The vine gets so big that many birds will even nest in its dense foliage! It is widely available, and I can always find Trumpet Vine at my local nurseries. Typically, it takes a year or two after planting to start getting bright and beautiful flowers.
Another vine that is native to the eastern United States, Trumpet Honeysuckle is a favorite of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The birds love the bright clusters of red and orange flowers. It has similar features to the Trumpet Vine, and many people get the two mixed up. A benefit of the Trumpet Honeysuckle is that it’s not as aggressive and does not get as big as the Trumpet Vine. Because of this, Trumpet Honeysuckle may fit better in your hummingbird garden.
Bee Balm is a smaller, perennial flower. Hummingbirds, along with bees and butterflies, love visiting these plants to get nectar. It’s native Bee Balm is a smaller, perennial flower. Hummingbirds, along with beBee Balm, is a smaller, perennial flower. Hummingbirds, along with bees and butterflies, love visiting these plants to get nectar. It’s native to eastern North American and the Pacific Northwest. They are easy to grow, deer resistant, and drought-resistant!
If you have ever seen a Rhododendron in full bloom at the end of May, you will agree that their display is incredibly beautiful. You can’t blame hummingbirds for being attracted. One of the most popular plants at any nursery, there are over a thousand different species of Rhododendron that have been identified, with the majority of them originating from Asia.
But the Rhododendron species that I recommend for hummingbirds is native to North America.
This small flower list is the start to help you attract beautiful hummingbirds to your little flower garden this season.
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