10 Native Plants to Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds darting here and there is quite entertaining, keeping up with refilling hummingbird feeders is sometimes not. Not only is it time consuming having to clean them, make the sugar water, and keep them filled, it also costs money to buy the sugar. Plus, too much sugar is not great for hummingbirds, just like it’s not great for people.  So with that it mind, why not just plant flowers that hummingbirds love and attract them naturally.  Here are 10 native plants that can grown in most parts of the U.S. that hummingbirds frequent:

Penstemon (Penstemon spp.) are a large genus of perennials that hummingbirds love. Some of the common names are beardtounge, scarlet bulger, and foxglove, 

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) has 1-6 ft perennial has showy red terminal spikes.  This flower depends on hummingbirds for pollination. Will grow in many types of soils and conditions. Blooms May-October.

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) is a woody perennial vine that can grow 40ft up if allowed.  Adapted to the eastern part of the U.S., it can be invasive in some areas. Trumpet vine has big clusters of red-orange flowers that humming birds love. Blooms all summer. 

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadense) is a wonderful native that can be grown in shade to sun, from rocky to rich soil types.  It is an early spring bloomer. Perennial

Spotted Jewelweed or Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) has small orangish flowers that hummingbirds are quite attracted to. It is a very delicate plant that can easily be damaged by animals or even heavy rain. Prefers wetland shade. Self seeding annual that blooms July-October.

Currants and Gooseberries (Ribes spp.) are not only great for hummingbirds but are good to eat too. 

Common thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a biennial that can grow up to six feet tall, is not particular about the soil, but prefers mostly sun. In addition to hummingbirds, many beneficial insects love thistle flowers.

Scarlet beebalm or bergamot (Monarda didyma) is an aromatic herb native to the eastern half of the U.S. Monarda has showy red heads that can self seed to sow beautiful sprays of hummingbird attractant patches.  Prefers full sun and well drained soil. Flowers mid-late summer.

Hummingbird Mint or Hyssop (Agastache spp.) are a group of perennials native to much of the U.S. Very aromatic, with long blooming flower stalks. Can be grown in sun-part shade in many soil types. Self seeding.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) not only has flowers that hummingbirds love but is also nesting habitat. Harvest the berries and make your own immune system boosting juice.

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