Hummingbirds add magical movement and brilliant color to New Mexico gardens. These tiny aerial acrobats need special plants for food and shelter in our unique desert climate.
By growing the right plants, you can transform your yard into a hummingbird haven while creating a beautiful, drought-tolerant landscape.
1. Scarlet Trumpet Vine
Nothing catches a hummingbird’s eye faster than the brilliant red tubular flowers of trumpet vine. These vigorous climbers create cascades of blooms from summer into fall, providing a reliable nectar source when many other plants have finished flowering.
Plant trumpet vine against a fence or trellis where you can enjoy the hummingbird show. Just remember these enthusiastic growers need regular pruning to keep them in bounds. The deep nectar reserves make them absolute magnets for our smallest feathered friends.
2. Desert Willow
Graceful and perfectly adapted to New Mexico’s climate, desert willow produces orchid-like blooms that hummingbirds simply can’t resist. The delicate pink-to-lavender flowers appear throughout summer, creating a reliable nectar source during hot months.
As a native tree, desert willow thrives with minimal care once established. Its modest size (15-25 feet) makes it perfect for smaller landscapes. Beyond attracting hummingbirds, the wispy foliage creates dappled shade for gardeners and wildlife alike during scorching afternoons.
3. Autumn Sage
Autumn sage earned its reputation as a hummingbird magnet through its nearly non-stop production of tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, or white. Despite its name, this hardy perennial blooms from spring through fall in most New Mexico gardens.
Tough and drought-resistant once established, autumn sage asks for little while giving much. Plant several varieties for a colorful display that will keep hummingbirds visiting regularly. The aromatic foliage adds another sensory dimension to your garden experience when brushed against.
4. Coral Honeysuckle
Unlike its invasive Japanese cousin, our native coral honeysuckle combines beauty with good garden manners. The trumpet-shaped coral-red flowers appear in clusters from spring through summer, creating a buffet for hungry hummingbirds.
Train this semi-evergreen vine on a trellis near a window or patio where you can watch the hummingbird activity up close. The twining stems reach 10-15 feet but won’t take over your garden. As a bonus, the red berries that follow the flowers attract songbirds in fall.
5. Hummingbird Mint
Few plants advertise their purpose more clearly than hummingbird mint! These southwestern natives produce spikes of tubular flowers in shades of orange, pink, and purple that rise above aromatic foliage. Blooming from midsummer through fall, they bridge the gap when spring flowers have faded.
Supremely adapted to New Mexico conditions, hummingbird mint thrives in poor, rocky soil with minimal water once established. Plant in groups of three or more for the best visual impact. Their upright growth habit (2-3 feet tall) makes them perfect for the middle of flower beds.
6. Red Hot Poker
Standing tall like flaming torches in the garden, red hot pokers create dramatic vertical accents that hummingbirds can spot from far away. The tubular flowers, arranged in dense spikes, transition from fiery red to yellow, creating a sunset effect in your landscape.
These drought-tolerant perennials perform beautifully in New Mexico’s climate with minimal fuss. Plant them where their architectural form can be appreciated, perhaps against a backdrop of ornamental grasses. Their bloom time varies by variety, so include several for months of hummingbird visits.
7. Penstemon
Rocky Mountain penstemon brings brilliant blue spires to early summer gardens, while firecracker penstemon offers scarlet tubes that hummingbirds simply can’t resist. These native beauties evolved alongside our southwestern hummingbirds, creating perfect feeding partnerships.
With dozens of species native to our region, you’ll find penstemons for every garden situation. Most prefer well-drained soil and moderate water, making them ideal for water-wise New Mexico landscapes. Their nectar-rich flowers also attract beneficial native bees and butterflies, creating a wildlife-friendly garden.
8. Mexican Bush Sage
Arriving fashionably late to the garden party, Mexican bush sage bursts into bloom just when many other plants are fading. The velvety purple flower spikes appear in late summer and continue until frost, providing crucial late-season nectar for hummingbirds preparing for migration.
The soft gray-green foliage forms an attractive mound all season before the dramatic flowering period begins. Give this sage plenty of room to reach its full 3-4 foot spread. Its drought tolerance makes it a perfect choice for New Mexico gardens seeking water-wise beauty.
9. Butterfly Bush
Despite its name, butterfly bush attracts hummingbirds just as readily as butterflies. The arching branches filled with honey-scented flower cones create a feeding station that keeps hummingbirds returning throughout summer and into fall.
Choose from varieties with purple, pink, white or blue flowers to complement your garden color scheme. Their fast growth means you’ll have a substantial shrub (5-8 feet) within a couple of seasons. For smaller spaces, look for dwarf varieties that stay under 3 feet tall while still producing plenty of nectar-rich blooms.
10. Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flower’s brilliant red spikes create stunning vertical accents in partly shaded garden spots. The intensely colored tubular blooms are perfectly shaped for hummingbird beaks, making them irresistible to our flying jewels during late summer.
Unlike many hummingbird plants that prefer full sun, cardinal flower appreciates afternoon shade in our intense New Mexico climate. Plant it where it receives morning sun but protection from the hottest afternoon rays. It needs more consistent moisture than some desert plants but rewards your care with spectacular blooms.
11. Bee Balm
Bee balm creates firework-like displays of spiky tubular flowers in shades of red, pink or purple that hummingbirds find irresistible. The unusual flower shape provides plenty of nectar while adding architectural interest to your garden design.
Look for mildew-resistant varieties that perform well in New Mexico’s dry climate. Bee balm spreads gradually by underground runners, creating impressive clumps over time. The aromatic foliage releases a pleasant minty-citrus scent when brushed against, adding another sensory element to your garden experience.
12. Century Plant
The dramatic flowering of century plant creates a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that draws hummingbirds from far and wide. Though the mother plant dies after blooming, the 15-foot flower stalk becomes a high-rise feeding station loaded with nectar-rich yellow blooms.
For everyday garden enjoyment, the sculptural blue-gray rosettes provide year-round structure and southwestern character. Plant century plant where its impressive size (4-6 feet wide) can be accommodated. The smaller Parry’s agave offers similar appeal in a more manageable package for limited spaces.