Table of Contents
Why Do Hummingbirds Love Flowers?
Hummingbirds’ favorite flowers are also their primary source of nectar. The flowers that require pollination from birds are known as ornithophilous plants. Hummingbirds get nectar from these plants, and in exchange, they provide the necessary fertilization for these plants to thrive.
Unlike other species of birds that eat seeds and bugs, Hummingbirds live on a diet of primary nectar. To attract Hummingbirds to your yard, sow brightly colored and tubular flowers that are considered ornithophilous plants.
Tube-shaped plants provide the most amount of nectar in a single flower.
Before you break out those garden gloves to get planting, let’s explore what flowers Hummingbirds are most attracted to.

What flowers are Hummingbirds most attracted to?
Hummingbirds are pollinators that love flowers, specifically Honeysuckle, Monarda, Butterfly Bush, Salvia, Cardinal Flower, Foxglove, and Fuchsia.
If you want to turn your yard into a Hummingbird buffet, consider planting the following flowers in your garden.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is known for its very fragrant blooms. If you plant Honeysuckle in your backyard, the early spring blooms fill your yard with a beautiful sweet smell that attacks many Hummers.
Before planting Honeysuckle, lay mulch at the bottom of the hole to ensure the plant has plenty of drainage, and place it in an area with full sun. Remember that Honeysuckle is an aggressive flowering bush, so it works best in larger yards or around the parameters of expansive cottage gardens.
Monarda
Monarda is a super low-maintenance plant that loves full sun, but it can also tolerate part shade to full shade in warmer climates. It produces a rich red flower that looks gorgeous and attracts Hummingbirds.
When shopping for Hummingbird plants, it’s important to note that Monarda is also referred to as Bee Balm. An interesting fact about Monarda (aka Bee Balm) is that the flower has soothing properties that can also be used medicinally to soothe bee stings!
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bushes are super low-maintenance perennials that produce thousands of seeds every year. If you opt for a butterfly bush, remember that the thousands of seeds spread like wildfire.
It produces droopy flowering spikes that bloom in the late summer into early fall. The blooms range from magenta, pink, blue, yellow, or maroon flowers, although purple blooms are most common.
It’s an aggressive plant that works best in large and expansive gardens.
Salvia
Salvia, aka Sage, loves full-sun areas with plenty of drainage. It produces beautiful tube-shaped purple flowers and prefers slightly acidic soil. The great thing about Salvia is that once it’s established in the soil, it’s very low maintenance.
Plus, one Salvia plant can grow up to 5 feet tall, even in a single season! Remember that Salvia loves to spread out, so you may need to go into your garden every few years to separate and move large clumps to give your Hummers more room to move about your garden.
Cardinal Flower
Do you want to add a pop of show-stopping color to your Hummingbird garden? The Cardinal Flower produces fire-red flowers that grow up to three feet tall and spread around one to two feet.
The great thing about the Cardinal Flower is that it’s relatively low maintenance and can take some pretty harsh conditions. It loves full sun and doesn’t require much drainage.
While it’s considered a perennial, its life cycle is short-lived, so you may need to replace Cardinal Flowers every few seasons.
Foxglove
Foxglove checks all of the boxes for what Hummingbirds love. It’s brightly colored, host tube-shaped flowering overflowing with nectar, and supplies plenty of nutrition for your backyard Hummers.
Foxgloves are a little tricky to establish in your garden, however. They demand vibrant soil with plenty of drainage.
It’s also important to note that they are a biennial plant. This means that their life cycle only lasts around two years before more foxgloves need to be planted.
Fuchsia
Fuschia is yet another Hummingbird-loving plant. If you have a small space, Fucsia works wonderfully in hanging baskets, window boxes, or planters.
In most areas, they won’t come back every year. If you live in a warmer climate, Fuchsia may be able to survive the winter.
For cooler climates, planting Fuschia in hanging baskets is your best option for attracting Hummingbirds.

What is a Hummingbird’s favorite color flower?
Red. Hummingbirds can see all colors but favor the warmer end of the color spectrum. That means warmer shades of flowers such as yellow, orange, and red will attract the most Hummingbirds to your yard.
Blue and purple flowers are pretty, and some Hummers may visit them, but warmer shades of flowers are always best.
Should I Stick To Native Plants?
Sticking to native plants is a great way to ensure that your plants survive. Sure, a particular type of flower may look pretty, but no one gets to enjoy them if they don’t survive the winter.
Over manicured lawns are the biggest culprit that drives native species of insects and animals away, including Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds thrive on the native plants in your region, so it’s always best to find what native plants are best for your yard. Plus, native plants require less maintenance over time and will only grow bigger and stronger season after season.
Everyone wins when you opt for native plants!

How to plant a Hummingbird Garden?
Building a small (or large) cottage garden is a great way to attract Hummingbirds and create an outdoor space that you’ll also love. Don’t worry; a simple cottage garden doesn’t have to be fancy and well-manicured.
Start by selecting plants that you know will attract Hummingbirds. Opting for perennials means that these plants will reseed themselves and grow more significantly yearly.
It’s also essential that you don’t overcrowd your garden. Hummingbirds need plenty of space to navigate from flower to flower, so make sure you give them enough freedom to roam.
How to Build a Hummingbird Garden In Any Space
You don’t need a large backyard to build a Hummingbird garden. If you have a tiny yard or even just a patio, you have all the space you need to attract these flower-loving birds.
For small spaces, opt for things ling hanging baskets with Fuscia or other warm-colored flowers. If you have the right flowers, the neighborhood Hummers will find you!