Arizona gardens offer the perfect backdrop for attracting nature’s aerial jewels – hummingbirds. These tiny, energetic visitors bring life and movement to outdoor spaces, especially when you plant flowers specifically designed to catch their attention.
In my own Arizona garden, I was amazed at how quickly unusual blooms transformed my backyard into a hummingbird haven. Let’s explore 17 extraordinary flowers that will entice these magnificent birds to your Arizona landscape while adding unique beauty to your garden spaces.
1. Desert Honeysuckle (Anisacanthus thurberi)
Native to the Sonoran Desert, this striking shrub produces tubular orange-red flowers that hummingbirds simply cannot resist. The nectar-rich blooms appear nearly year-round in Arizona’s warm climate.
Unlike common honeysuckle varieties, this desert adaptation thrives in our harsh conditions without excessive water. Plant it near windows or patios to enjoy close-up views of hummingbird visits.
My neighbors were skeptical until they saw the steady stream of hummingbirds visiting my desert honeysuckle patch each morning!
2. Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
Hummingbirds flock to this scraggly desert shrub for its abundant red tubular flowers. The name “Chuparosa” literally means “rose sucker” in Spanish, referencing how hummingbirds sip nectar from its blooms.
Surprisingly drought-tolerant, this native plant flourishes in Arizona’s challenging desert environment with minimal care. During blooming seasons, the otherwise modest bush transforms into a hummingbird feeding station.
Consider planting several together for a dramatic effect that will keep hummingbirds returning throughout the warmer months.
3. Arizona Sunset Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
Aromatic foliage combined with spikes of sunset-colored tubular flowers makes this perennial irresistible to hummingbirds. The minty scent deters many garden pests while attracting beneficial pollinators to your Arizona landscape.
Growing up to three feet tall, this architectural plant creates vertical interest in garden beds. Despite its delicate appearance, hummingbird mint handles Arizona heat admirably when given afternoon shade.
For maximum impact, group several plants together where you can watch the aerial displays of competing hummingbirds.
4. Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)
Brilliant scarlet tubular flowers erupt like firecrackers on tall stems, creating a dramatic display that hummingbirds can spot from impressive distances. This native perennial blooms in late winter through spring, providing crucial nectar when many Arizona gardens lack flowering plants.
Remarkably drought-tolerant once established, firecracker penstemon thrives in poor, rocky soil that would kill less hardy plants. Its early bloom time makes it especially valuable for supporting resident hummingbird populations.
After seeing dozens of hummingbirds around my penstemon patch, I’ve added more every year!
5. Blue Curls (Phacelia campanularia)
While most hummingbird plants feature red blooms, these stunning blue-purple flowers prove that color isn’t everything. The unusual curled flower shape and nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds despite breaking the “red flower rule.”
An annual wildflower native to desert regions, blue curls create spectacular spring displays in Arizona gardens. Their hairy stems and leaves give them drought tolerance that’s perfect for our climate.
Scatter seeds in fall for a breathtaking spring show that will bring hummingbirds darting through your garden space.
6. Parry’s Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
Shocking pink tubular flowers on tall stalks make this native penstemon a standout in any Arizona garden. Unlike many hummingbird plants, its unusual color creates striking contrast against our desert landscape.
Perfectly adapted to Arizona’s climate, Parry’s penstemon requires almost no supplemental water once established. Spring brings dozens of flower stalks, each covered with nectar-rich blooms that hummingbirds visit repeatedly throughout the day.
My front yard patch has become a neighborhood conversation starter, with people stopping to ask about the “pink flower hummingbirds love.”
7. Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Small but mighty, this semi-woody shrub produces an abundance of tubular flowers in shades from coral to purple that hummingbirds patrol religiously. Unlike many salvias, Autumn Sage continues flowering through Arizona’s hottest months when nectar sources are scarce.
Surprisingly drought-tolerant once established, this Texas native adapts beautifully to Arizona’s climate. Light pruning after each flowering cycle encourages continuous blooms from spring through fall.
The variety of available colors lets you create custom combinations throughout your Arizona landscape while keeping hummingbirds well-fed.
8. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Despite its name, this Arizona native isn’t a true willow but a spectacular flowering tree perfect for larger gardens. Orchid-like blooms in shades of pink, lavender, or white appear throughout summer, creating a hummingbird magnet that doubles as shade.
Extremely drought-tolerant, desert willow thrives in Arizona’s harsh conditions while providing beautiful structure to the landscape. The trumpet-shaped flowers contain abundant nectar that draws hummingbirds from surprising distances.
After planting just one specimen, I now count desert willow as my favorite Arizona tree!
9. Beardlip Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus)
Tall, elegant flower spikes covered with dangling scarlet tubes make this native plant irresistible to hummingbirds. The unusual “bearded” lower lip of each flower gives this penstemon its distinctive name and appearance.
Naturally adapted to Arizona’s mountainous regions, this perennial performs beautifully in gardens with good drainage. Summer brings spectacular flowering displays that continue for weeks, creating a hummingbird feeding station.
Group several plants together for maximum visual impact and to create a hummingbird territory they’ll defend enthusiastically.
10. Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera)
Evergreen foliage and nearly continuous orange tubular blooms make this shrub a year-round hummingbird attraction in Arizona gardens. Unlike many flowering plants, it performs beautifully in partial shade, bringing color to areas where other sun-lovers struggle.
Surprisingly frost-tolerant for a Mexican native, this plant recovers quickly even after Arizona’s occasional freezes. The unusual orange color stands out in the landscape, creating focal points that draw both human and hummingbird attention.
My backyard specimens have flourished for years with minimal care while providing constant hummingbird activity.
11. Bat-faced Cuphea (Cuphea llavea)
Whimsical flowers resembling tiny bat faces in purple and red make this unusual plant a conversation starter. Hummingbirds don’t care about the quirky appearance – they’re drawn to the nectar-rich blooms that appear continuously in warm weather.
Despite its tropical origins, bat-faced cuphea performs surprisingly well in Arizona gardens with moderate water. The compact growth habit makes it perfect for containers or border edges where you can appreciate the unique flowers up close.
Children especially enjoy watching hummingbirds visit these peculiar little blooms throughout summer and fall.
12. Flame Anisacanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus)
Fiery orange-red tubular flowers emerge from this woody shrub in profusion, creating a blaze of color that hummingbirds can’t resist. Native to Texas and Mexico, this heat-loving plant thrives in Arizona’s sunny gardens with minimal fuss.
Unlike many flowering shrubs, Flame Anisacanthus blooms heavily in late summer and fall when many Arizona gardens look tired. Its drought tolerance means established plants need little supplemental water even during the hottest months.
Strategic pruning in early spring encourages bushier growth and more of the tubular flowers that hummingbirds love.
13. Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
Powder-puff pink blooms that resemble tiny feather dusters give this native Arizona shrub its charming name. Hummingbirds delight in the nectar hidden within the unusual flowers that appear after winter rains.
Extremely drought-tolerant, fairy duster thrives in the harshest Arizona conditions with almost no care. The delicate-looking flowers belie this plant’s tough nature – it handles poor soil, intense heat, and minimal water with ease.
Consider planting several together for a naturalistic desert garden that will draw hummingbirds while conserving precious water resources.
14. Coral Fountain (Russelia equisetiformis)
Cascading stems covered with bright coral-red tubular flowers create a fountain-like effect that’s irresistible to hummingbirds. The unusual arching growth habit makes this plant perfect for containers or wall gardens where the dramatic display can be fully appreciated.
Though not native, coral fountain adapts beautifully to Arizona gardens with moderate water. The nearly continuous flowering from spring through fall provides reliable nectar for resident hummingbirds.
My patio container of coral fountain has become a hummingbird battleground, with tiny birds defending their nectar source throughout the day!
15. Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleja marrubiifolia)
Unlike common butterfly bushes, this unusual native species features silvery foliage and ball-shaped orange flower clusters that hummingbirds find irresistible. The contrast between the woolly leaves and bright blooms creates striking visual interest in Arizona gardens.
Exceptionally drought-tolerant, this shrub thrives in full Arizona sun with minimal water once established. Small but abundant flowers appear throughout warm months, providing reliable nectar for resident hummingbirds.
The compact size makes it perfect for smaller gardens where space is limited but wildlife attraction is desired.
16. Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica)
Larger and more dramatic than its native cousin, Baja fairy duster produces striking red powder-puff blooms that seem to float above the delicate foliage. Hummingbirds become territorial around these plants, often perching nearby to guard their nectar source.
Surprisingly frost-sensitive for a desert plant, this beauty performs best in protected Arizona microclimates. Nearly year-round flowering in warm locations provides consistent nectar for hummingbirds even during winter months.
The unusual flower form creates conversation pieces in the landscape while serving as reliable hummingbird attractants.
17. Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)
Tubular orange-red flowers tipped with white and black resemble tiny lit cigars, giving this unusual plant its distinctive name. The abundant blooms appear continuously in warm weather, creating a reliable nectar source for Arizona’s hummingbird population.
Though not drought-tolerant, cigar plant thrives in containers where water and soil conditions can be carefully controlled. The compact growth habit makes it perfect for patios and small spaces where you can observe hummingbird visits up close.
Few plants offer such continuous flowering with so little care in our challenging climate.