Looking to invite nature's tiny acrobats into your garden? Hummingbirds are irresistibly drawn to specific blooms bursting with color and nectar. May is the perfect time to plant these beauties and watch the magic unfold all summer long. These flowers don’t just dazzle the eyes. They practically roll out the red carpet for hummingbirds. From bright reds to deep purples, their colors signal a feast. Plant any combination and you'll create a buzzing, fluttering oasis in no time.
1. Bold Bee Balm Blooms
Bee balm’s vibrant red, pink, or purple blooms are hummingbird magnets. The tubular shape makes it easy for their long beaks to sip nectar. This native perennial loves full sun and moist soil. It also resists deer and attracts butterflies. Some varieties grow up to 4 feet tall, which is perfect for mid-garden drama. You’ll enjoy a long bloom time from mid-summer to early fall. Deadhead for even more flowers!
2. Fiery Cardinal Flower Spikes
With its fiery red spires, cardinal flower shouts “dinner’s ready!” to hummingbirds. It thrives in moist soil and can tolerate wet areas like stream edges. Blooming in mid-to-late summer, it adds vertical color. Hummingbirds can’t resist their bright, nectar-rich flowers. It's a native wildflower and great for naturalized or woodland gardens. Plant in partial sun for best results. Be sure to mulch in winter to protect the roots.
3. Lush Salvia Blooms
Salvias are nectar powerhouses that bloom again and again. Their tubular blossoms come in shades of red, blue, and purple. Hummingbirds especially love red varieties like ‘Hot Lips’. These drought-tolerant plants are perfect for sunny spots. Salvias repel deer and attract pollinators, too. Deadhead to extend blooming into fall. Many are perennial in warmer zones.
4. Vibrant Trumpet Vine
This vigorous climber is a hummingbird’s dream. Its large orange-red trumpets are packed with nectar. It is ideal for covering fences, trellises, or walls—it needs growing space. It’s fast-growing and blooms from summer into early fall. Hummingbirds zip straight to their flowers all day long. Be sure to prune it back to control spreading. Hardy and low-maintenance once established.
5. Colorful Zinnia Delight
Zinnias are cheerful, easy-to-grow annuals that hummingbirds adore. Their bright red, pink, orange, and yellow blooms are irresistible. Plant from seed directly in May for fast results. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Deadhead for continuous flowers through fall. Hummingbirds especially visit single-bloom varieties for easier access. Bonus: Butterflies love them, too!
6. Graceful Fuchsia Danglers
Fuchsias have elegant, hanging blooms that hummingbirds find delightful. Their unique shape and bright colors are perfect for sipping nectar. Ideal for hanging baskets or containers in shady spots. Keep soil moist but well-drained for healthy growth. They bloom from late spring through fall with regular feeding. Protect from harsh afternoon sun. Bring them indoors if frost threatens.
7. Nodding Columbine Charms
Columbines have charming, nodding blooms that appeal to hummingbirds. Their long spurs hold sweet nectar deep inside. They come in many color combos—red and yellow are favorites. Columbines thrive in partial shade and cooler climates. These perennials reseed readily and naturalize beautifully. They bloom in late spring through early summer. Hummingbirds spot them easily in woodland gardens.
8. Bright Petunia Favorites
Petunias are classic, colorful annuals that hummingbirds love. Wave and trailing varieties spill beautifully from containers and beds. Bright pinks, purples, and reds are most attractive. They love full sun and regular water. Pinch back blooms to encourage more flowers. Hummingbirds hover often to sip from open trumpet-shaped petals. Easy and rewarding all summer long!
9. Coral Honeysuckle Charisma
This native vine boasts coral-red blooms loaded with nectar. Unlike invasive honeysuckles, it’s non-aggressive and well-behaved. It blooms heavily in spring, then sporadically through fall. Hummingbirds are drawn to the tubular flowers in droves. Ideal for fences and arbors with full sun. It also attracts butterflies and bees. A low-maintenance pollinator favorite.
10. Showy Penstemon Tubes
Penstemons offer tubular, upright blooms that scream “nectar bar” to hummingbirds. They come in reds, purples, pinks, and whites. Native varieties are drought-tolerant and hardy. These perennials thrive in sunny, dry spots. Penstemons bloom from late spring through midsummer. Prune back for a second round of blooms. They're a natural fit for wildflower gardens.
11. Towering Lupine Spires
Lupines shoot up bold spikes of purple, blue, pink, or white. Their sweet nectar draws hummingbirds and bees. These perennials love cool weather and well-drained soil. They add height and structure to garden beds. Plant in groups for a striking effect. Lupines bloom in late spring to early summer. They pair beautifully with other pollinator-friendly flowers.
12. Butterfly Bush Buffets
Butterfly bushes are blooming buffets for hummingbirds and butterflies. Their long, cone-shaped flower spikes are nectar-rich. Colors range from purple to white and pink. They bloom all summer with regular deadheading. Choose sterile varieties to avoid invasiveness. Full sun and well-drained soil keep them happiest. They attract constant winged visitors.
13. Cheerful Calibrachoa Clusters
Calibrachoa, often called "million bells," produces tiny, petunia-like flowers in bold colors that hummingbirds adore. These trailing annuals work beautifully in hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers. Their nonstop blooming from spring to frost provides a steady nectar source. Calibrachoa thrives in full sun and well-drained soil with regular watering. While compact, the dense blooms offer irresistible appeal to hovering hummers.
14. Fiery Red Hot Pokers
These dramatic flowers bloom like fiery torches. Their upright spikes blend orange, yellow, and red shades. Hummingbirds adore their shape and constant nectar. Full sun and well-drained soil are key. They bloom in waves from late spring through fall. Excellent in borders or as a statement plant. Deadhead for repeat blooming.
15. Fragrant Agastache Spikes
Agastache’s tall, spiky blooms are hummingbird magnets. Their minty fragrance and bright colors draw pollinators, too. Flowers range from pink to orange and purple. They thrive in dry, sunny spots and poor soil. Blooming from mid-summer to frost, they provide a long nectar season. These perennials also resist deer and rabbits. A low-maintenance powerhouse.
16. Radiant Crocosmia Blooms
Crocosmia sends up arching stems of red or orange blooms. Hummingbirds adore their bright hues and shape. They bloom from mid-summer to early fall. Plant corms in full sun for best results. These perennials multiply quickly over time. Great for adding color and motion to borders. Their strappy leaves add texture, too.
17. Playful Snapdragons
Snapdragons offer whimsical, dragon-shaped blooms in many hues. Hummingbirds love exploring the blossoms for nectar. Plant in cool weather for best flowering. Full sun and rich soil help them thrive. Deadhead often to keep blooms coming. Short and tall varieties fit all garden spaces. Kids and hummingbirds both love them!
18. Pollinator-Friendly Milkweed
Best known for monarchs, milkweed also feeds hummingbirds. Its clusters of pink, orange, or white flowers are nectar-rich. Native varieties like swamp and butterfly weed work best. Milkweed thrives in sunny, well-drained locations. It’s a must-have for wildlife-friendly gardens. Blooms appear from summer through fall. Let seed pods dry for reseeding.
19. Spreading Verbena Charm
Verbena’s small flower pack has a big nectar appeal. Purple and red varieties are hummingbird favorites. These annuals or perennials love hot, sunny spots. They spread low and wide, perfect for ground cover or pots. Continuous blooms last into fall with deadheading. Hummingbirds visit often, sipping while hovering. A bright, easy-care choice.
20. Shade-Loving Impatiens
Perfect for shady gardens, impatiens provide nonstop blooms. Their pinks, reds, and purples are hummingbird-friendly. Keep the soil moist and rich for the best flowers. They shine in containers, borders, and under trees. Hummingbirds stop often for a quick drink. These annuals bloom from late spring through frost. Low effort, big payoff!
21. Dazzling Cuphea Blooms
Cuphea’s small, tube-shaped flowers resemble tiny cigars. Hummingbirds can’t get enough of them. Red, orange, and purple varieties bloom nonstop. Ideal for pots or sunny garden beds. These annuals love heat and tolerate drought. Bloom season runs from spring to frost. A fun and fiery favorite.
Tips for Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden
To attract hummingbirds, focus on planting a variety of brightly colored, tubular flowers they love. Choose red, pink, orange, and purple blooms to catch their eye. Include flowers with staggered bloom times to provide nectar from spring through fall. Avoid pesticides, which can harm both hummingbirds and the insects they eat. Add a water source, like a shallow fountain or mister, for bathing and drinking. Trees or tall shrubs nearby give them shelter and safe perching spots.
How to Care for Hummingbird Plants All Year Long
Keep your hummingbird garden thriving by giving plants the right care each season. In spring, prep the soil with compost and space out new plantings for airflow. Water deeply during dry spells and deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming. In summer, mulch to keep moisture in and weeds out. As fall approaches, let some seedheads remain for natural reseeding. For perennials, trim back after the first frost and mulch roots for winter protection. Annuals can be composted or collected for seed saving.
Your Hummingbird Paradise Starts Now
With these flowers, your garden will be a hummingbird hotspot all season. Plant a variety for color, height, and bloom time diversity. Choose native species when possible for best results. May is perfect to get started—the soil’s warm and daylight is long. Water well after planting and mulch to retain moisture. Sit back, relax, and watch the buzzing magic begin. You’ll never look at your backyard the same way again!