Outdoor plants

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

 
María Belén Acosta
By María Belén Acosta, Landscape and Horticultural Technician. April 25, 2023
Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are one of nature's most fascinating and enchanting creatures. With their iridescent feathers, lightning-fast movements, and ability to hover in midair, these tiny birds are a delight to watch. If you're a bird lover or gardener, you might be interested in attracting these stunning creatures to your yard or garden. One of the best ways to do this is by planting flowers that are known to attract hummingbirds.

The following article from thedailyECO will explore 13 popular flowers that hummingbirds love.

You may also be interested in: Best Climbing Plants with Flowers

Contents

  1. Trumpet Vine
  2. Fuchsia
  3. Tulip tree
  4. Begonia
  5. Duranta
  6. Heliconia
  7. Crane's-bill
  8. Hibiscus
  9. Hollyhock
  10. Honeysuckle
  11. Morning glory
  12. Lantanas
  13. Irises
See more >>

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans), is a deciduous vine native to the southeastern United States. It produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow that are highly attractive to hummingbirds.

The plant can grow up to 9 meters (ca. 30 ft feet) tall and is often used to provide shade or cover on walls, fences, or trellises. The trumpet-shaped flowers, which bloom in the summer and fall, are a favorite of hummingbirds due to their rich nectar and the shape of the flowers, which are perfect for the birds' long beaks.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Trumpet Vine

Fuchsia

Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants that are native to Central and South America. They are widely cultivated as ornamental plants due to their showy, pendulous flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple. The unique shape of Fuchsia flowers, with their long tubular petals and flared sepals, is highly attractive to hummingbirds, who are able to easily access the nectar-rich blooms with their long beaks.

Fuchsia plants typically grow to a height of 0.3-0.9 meters (1-3 feet) and are well-suited to containers, hanging baskets, or as borders in garden beds. Fuchsia flowers are not only a favorite of hummingbirds, but also of gardeners and florists who appreciate their striking beauty and long-lasting blooms.

Keep on reading this other article, where we have listed 9 popular flowers that look like stars.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Fuchsia

Tulip tree

Tulip tree, also known as Liriodendron tulipifera, is a large deciduous tree native to North America. It is known for its distinctive tulip-shaped flowers, which bloom in late spring or early summer and are highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The flowers are a bright shade of yellow-green with orange markings, and are shaped like a cup with a flared top.

If you wish to continue learning about plants, be sure to check this other article, where we explain the main differences between angiosperm and gymnosperm plants.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Tulip tree

Begonia

Begonia is a genus of flowering plants that includes more than 1,800 species. Many species of Begonia are highly attractive to hummingbirds, who are drawn to their nectar-rich flowers. The shape of the flowers, which often have a long, tubular base, makes them a perfect fit for the birds' long beaks.

They are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world and are commonly grown as ornamental plants. Begonia flowers come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, red, orange, and yellow. The flowers are typically small and bell-shaped, but some species produce larger, showy blooms.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Begonia

Duranta

Duranta (Duranta erecta), is a tropical shrub or small tree that is native to the Americas. It produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, or white, which are highly attractive to hummingbirds.

The plant can grow up to 4.57 meters (15 feet) tall and has a sprawling growth habit. In addition to its attractive flowers, Duranta also produces small, berry-like fruit that can be enjoyed by birds and other wildlife. Duranta is a popular ornamental plant due to its showy blooms and ability to attract wildlife to the garden.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Duranta

Heliconia

Heliconia is a genus of flowering plants that are native to tropical regions of the Americas. They are known for their striking, brightly colored flowers, which come in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Hummingbirds find Heliconia flowers highly attractive because of their abundant nectar and long, tubular shape.

The plant typically grows to a height of 1.8-4.5 meters (6-15 feet) and has large, paddle-shaped leaves. For gardeners looking to add a tropical touch to their landscape and attract hummingbirds to their garden, Heliconia is an excellent choice.

Do not miss this other article, where we have listed 10 plants with bell-shaped flowers.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Heliconia

Crane's-bill

Crane's-bill, also known as Geranium, is a genus of flowering plants that are native to many regions of the world. They are valued for their attractive, five-petaled flowers, which come in shades of pink, purple, white, and blue. Crane's-bill flowers have a distinctive shape that makes them highly attractive to hummingbirds, with their long, tubular base and flared top.

The plant typically grows to a height of 0.3-0.9 meters (1-3 feet) and has deeply lobed leaves that are attractive in their own right. Crane's-bill is a versatile plant that can be grown in containers or in garden beds, and is well-suited to rock gardens, borders, and as ground cover.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Crane's-bill

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants that are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are known for their large, showy flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. Hummingbirds find Hibiscus flowers highly attractive due to their distinctive shape, featuring a long, tubular base and flared top.

The plant typically grows to a height of 1.2-2.4 meters (4-8 feet). In addition to their ornamental value, Hibiscus flowers are also used in traditional medicine and as a beverage flavoring.

You might be interested in this other article, where we explain what is the perianth of a flower.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Hibiscus

Hollyhock

Hollyhock is a genus of flowering plants that are native to Europe and Asia, but have been widely cultivated around the world. They are known for their tall, spiky stems, which can grow up to 2.4 meters (8 feet) in height, and their large, showy flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and white.

Hummingbirds need high-energy food sources to maintain their rapid metabolism, and hollyhock flowers provide a rich source of nectar that hummingbirds are able to extract using their long, thin beaks.

The plant typically blooms in mid-summer and can continue to produce flowers through the fall. Hollyhock is also valued by herbalists for its medicinal properties, and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Hollyhock

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is a genus of flowering plants that are native to many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and North America. Honeysuckle flowers often have bright, vivid colors such as red, pink, and orange, which are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. The specific fragrance of honeysuckle flowers also makes them appealing to hummingbirds, as it helps to guide them towards the nectar.

The plant typically grows as a vine or shrub, with long, trailing branches that can climb up walls, fences, and other structures. Honeysuckle is also valued for its edible berries, which are a popular ingredient in jams, jellies, and other culinary preparations.

You might be interested in this other article, where we have listed 8 flowers that look like roses.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Honeysuckle

Morning glory

Morning glory is a genus of flowering plants that are native to Central and South America, but have been widely cultivated around the world. They are known for their beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers, which come in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. Hummingbirds are drawn to morning glory flowers because of their sweet nectar and unique tubular shape. The tubular shape of the flowers is perfect for hummingbirds, as their long beaks can easily reach the nectar inside.

The plant typically grows as a vine, with long, trailing stems that can climb up walls, trellises, and other structures. However, it can also be grown in containers or in garden beds, and is well-suited to sunny locations with well-draining soil.

Finally, it is important to note that morning glory can be invasive in some areas, so it is important to plant it responsibly and monitor its growth.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Morning glory

Lantanas

Lantanas are a genus of flowering plants that are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa, but have been widely cultivated around the world. They are known for their clusters of small, colorful flowers, which come in shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, and purple. The combination of the sweet nectar and tubular shape make lantana flowers irresistible to hummingbirds.

The plant typically grows as a shrub or trailing vine, with long, branching stems that can reach up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Lantanas

Irises

Irises are a genus of flowering plants that are native to temperate regions of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. They are known for their beautiful, showy flowers, which come in a wide range of colors, including blue, purple, yellow, white, and pink. Irises are highly attractive to hummingbirds due to their sweet nectar and unique shape.

The plant typically grows as a perennial, with long, narrow leaves and tall, erect stems that can reach up to 1.2 meters (ca. 4 ft) in height. The roots of certain iris species, particularly Iris germanica and Iris pallida, have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including headaches, rheumatism, and skin conditions. The active compounds found in iris roots are known to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making them useful in the treatment of pain and inflammation.

If you love flowers, be sure to check this other article, where we have listed 10 plants with black flowers.

Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds - Irises

If you want to read similar articles to Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds, we recommend you visit our Outdoor plants category.

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Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds