The Best Plants for Hummingbirds
Here is a good reference list for the plants that hummingbirds prefer the most.
Abutilon
- Annual with 150 species
- Bell-shaped flowers that bloom all summer into fall
- High sucrose content
Agastache
- Herbaceous perennial with 10 species
- Prefers well-drained organic soils and part to full sun
- Colors range from pastel apricot to blues and purples
- Blooms summer to fall
Aquilegia - Columbine
- Perennial with 60-70 species
- First flower frequented by hummers on return in spring
- Prefers part shade
Fuchsia 
- Annual with over 100 species
- Prefers part shade
- Profuse blooms in containers
- Perennial in zone 10-11
- Prefers well-drained, rich soil and regular watering
- After flowering produces an edible fruit
Justica - Shrimp Plant
- Tropical loved by hummers that adds interest to any pot
- Native to Mexico, it is an evergreen shrub that should be brought indoors during the cold season
- Justica is a profuse bloomer
Kniphofia - Red Hot Poker
- 50 or more species
- Herbaceous perennial native to Africa
- Basal evergreen leaves
- Tall spiked flowers open over summer
- Colors from yellows to vivid red
Lobelia 
- Over 300 species from native cardinalis and siphlicata to annual varieties
- Native varieties prefer moist organic soils and full sun or part shade Cardinalis is a favorite and sought after in wild
Lonicera - Honeysuckle
- Over 150 species but plant the native Lonicera sempervirens varieties
- Blooms late April thru fall and is loved by hummers due to very high fructose in nectar.
- Major Wheeler is a red-orange and John Clayton is bright yellow
Monarda - Bee Balm 
- Over 12 varieties available
- Red varieties like Jacob Kline and Fireball are favorites
- Native plant that prefers full to part sun and good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew
Penstemons - Beard’s Tongue
- Many species are native and have non-tubular flowers
with lip providing high sucrose
- Native varieties include Husker’s Red or any Penstemon digitalis
Salvia
- One of the largest genus of plants that offer tubular flowers ranging from white to deep red to deep blue
- Perennial plants as well as annual varieties provide nectar to hummingbirds
- Annual types include Hot Lips, Black and Blue, Amistad etc
- Perennial types include Marcus, Blue Hill, Caradonna and Rose
Tecoma 
- Over 10 species of tropical vining bushes that offer very high sucrose
- Flowers are usually yellow or orange with red throats
Sage
Others
Trumpet Vine
- Large trumpet-shaped flowers full of sucrose
- Flowers area a little large but they work
- Hummers pollinate as well as feed on Trumpet Vine flowers
Brugmansia
- Another tropical that provides large trumpet-shaped
flowers for feeding
- Also fragrant and best used in planters.
Hummingbirds like tubular flowers as they hold more nectar that is rich in sucrose. Red is their favorite color as they can see it further away but any color will do. The shape of the flower and the amount of nectar dictates how many hummingbirds you attract. When plants are ready to be pollinated, the secretions of nectar increase. Nectar includes sucrose, glucose, and fructose. This process is repeated throughout the summer into fall as flowers are produced.
If you provide enough planted food sources then your hummingbirds will stop using your feeders. They also do not use feeders during nesting and hatching time as proteins are required for rearing young - they prefer spiders, gnats, and small insects.
Keep in mind that Hummingbirds feed insects to their young. For them to nest and remain in your garden, plant some of the following plants that harbor insects needed to raise young.
- Quercus alba
- Quercus phellos
- Quercus palustris
- Quercus rubra
- Quercus bicolor
- Prunus serotina
- Pinus strobus
- Acer rubrum
- Liriodendron tulipifera
Magnolia grandiflora, and other native trees, will harbor the insects they require, as well as nesting sites.
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