There’s nothing like spotting a hummingbird flitting through the garden—it feels like a little bit of magic just zipped by. I used to think attracting them took loads of feeders, but turns out, the right trees do most of the work.
Flowering trees not only serve up nectar, but they also give these little birds a place to perch, rest, and even raise their young.
Plant a few favorites, and soon enough, you’ll have hummingbirds zipping through your yard all season long—it’s a show you’ll never get tired of watching.
1. Red Buckeye
Clusters of tubular scarlet flowers emerge in early spring, making this native tree one of the first seasonal nectar sources. Hummingbirds remember reliable food sources and often return to the same trees year after year.
Growing to 15-25 feet tall, buckeyes work well as understory trees in partial shade or full sun. The distinctive palm-shaped leaves turn a lovely yellow in fall.
My neighbor planted one near her kitchen window five years ago, and now counts on daily hummingbird visits while doing dishes—a simple pleasure that makes garden chores more enjoyable.
2. Tulip Poplar
Soaring up to 90 feet tall, tulip poplars feature unique orange-yellow cup-shaped flowers that serve as natural nectar dispensers. The blooms might go unnoticed by humans since they appear high in the canopy, but hummingbirds spot them easily.
Yellow-throated warblers and other birds often nest in these majestic trees alongside hummingbirds. Tulip poplars prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Plant one as a shade tree in a spacious yard, and you’ll create a lasting wildlife sanctuary. Their straight trunks and symmetrical shape make them excellent specimen trees with multi-season interest.
3. Crape Myrtle
Long-lasting summer blooms in shades of pink, red, purple, or white make crape myrtles hummingbird magnets when many other trees have finished flowering. The dense clusters of crinkled blossoms provide weeks of nectar.
Drought-tolerant once established, these versatile trees range from 15-25 feet tall depending on variety. Their multi-stemmed form and exfoliating bark add winter interest after blooms fade.
Position crape myrtles where you can enjoy the hummingbird activity—near patios or along walkways works wonderfully. Last summer, I counted five different hummingbirds visiting the red-flowering variety outside my office window.
4. Eastern Redbud
Rosy-pink flowers blanket bare branches in early spring, creating a feast for hungry hummingbirds just returning from migration. The unusual growth pattern—flowers emerging directly from branches and even the trunk—makes nectar easily accessible.
Heart-shaped leaves follow the blooms, creating a graceful canopy that reaches 20-30 feet at maturity. Redbuds tolerate partial shade, making them versatile additions to woodland edges or property lines.
Native to eastern North America, these trees support local ecosystems beyond just hummingbirds. Plant one where spring morning sun will highlight the pink blooms against a dark background for maximum visual impact.
5. Bottlebrush Tree
Fiery red cylindrical flower spikes resemble their namesake cleaning tool and contain sweet nectar that hummingbirds find irresistible. The unusual flower structure allows birds to perch directly on the bloom while feeding.
Evergreen foliage provides year-round screening in zones 9-11, though some varieties can handle brief freezes. Reaching 15 feet tall, bottlebrushes work well as patio trees or informal hedges in sunny locations.
Regular deadheading extends the impressive blooming period from spring through fall. After watching hummingbirds battle over my neighbor’s bottlebrush, I added three along my fence line—now there’s enough nectar for everyone!
6. Desert Willow
Trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, lavender, or white appear from late spring until autumn frost. Despite its name, desert willow isn’t a true willow but a drought-tolerant beauty perfect for water-wise gardens.
Reaching 15-25 feet tall with a spreading form, this Southwestern native tolerates poor soil and intense heat. The slender, willow-like leaves create dappled shade while allowing enough light for underplantings.
Hummingbirds follow the progression of flowers as they open along the branches throughout summer. For best results, plant in full sun and prune in late winter to encourage more flowering branches within easy viewing distance.
7. Mimosa Tree
Feathery pink powder-puff flowers emerge in early summer, creating an exotic display that draws hummingbirds from surprising distances. The sweet fragrance and abundant nectar make mimosas worth seeking out.
Fast-growing to 20-40 feet, these trees create filtered shade with their umbrella-like canopy of fern-like leaves that fold closed at night. Mimosas adapt to various soil types but need full sun for best flowering.
Be warned that they can self-seed vigorously in some regions. Still, their unique texture and reliable hummingbird attraction make them garden standouts when properly managed through regular seedpod removal.
8. Golden Rain Tree
Bright yellow flower panicles appear in mid-summer when many other trees have finished blooming. While not as immediately associated with hummingbirds as red flowers, the abundant nectar and perfect timing make this tree a crucial mid-season food source.
Growing 30-40 feet tall with a rounded crown, golden rain trees offer excellent shade. The unusual paper lantern-like seed pods that follow the flowers add visual interest into fall and winter.
Plant where the cascading yellow blooms can be appreciated from below. The compound leaves turn buttery yellow before dropping, extending seasonal interest and providing dappled shade that’s perfect for woodland gardens.
9. Flowering Dogwood
Showy white or pink bracts surround small yellow flower clusters in spring, creating landing platforms where hummingbirds can rest while feeding. Native dogwoods evolved alongside local bird populations, making them naturally attractive to hummingbirds.
Maxing out around 25 feet tall, these understory trees thrive in dappled shade similar to their natural woodland habitat. The distinctive horizontal branching pattern creates ideal perching spots for resting hummingbirds.
Fall brings brilliant red berries that attract other birds, plus burgundy foliage that rivals any autumn display. I’ve found dogwoods work perfectly as transition trees between lawn areas and larger shade trees.
10. Vitex (Chaste Tree)
Spires of lavender-blue flowers reach skyward in summer, attracting both hummingbirds and butterflies with their abundant nectar. The aromatic foliage resembles marijuana leaves but carries a pleasant sage-like scent when brushed against.
Vitex grows quickly to 15-20 feet with multiple trunks, creating an airy, open form. Extremely heat and drought tolerant once established, it performs beautifully in challenging locations where other flowering trees struggle.
Cutting back spent flower spikes promotes additional blooming cycles through summer and fall. My vitex became a neighborhood conversation piece last year when it hosted both hummingbirds and monarch butterflies simultaneously during migration season.
11. Silk Tree
Fuzzy pink blossoms appear like silken threads above fern-like foliage, creating irresistible feeding stations for hummingbirds throughout summer. The fluffy texture provides perfect perching spots while birds sip nectar from the central flower parts.
Growing rapidly to 20-40 feet with a spreading canopy, silk trees create dappled shade perfect for patios and outdoor living spaces. Their exotic appearance adds a tropical feel to any landscape.
Morning and evening feeding frenzies make these trees perfect for placement near breakfast nooks or dinner patios. Just be sure to select a seedless cultivar if invasiveness concerns exist in your region.
12. Loquat
Fragrant white flower clusters appear in late fall through winter when few other nectar sources exist. This unusual blooming schedule makes loquats critical bridges between seasons for resident hummingbird populations in mild climates.
Evergreen glossy leaves with rusty undersides provide year-round structure and shelter. Growing 15-30 feet tall, loquats develop a rounded, dense canopy perfect for screening.
Sweet edible fruits follow the flowers in spring, attracting additional wildlife. Plant loquats where winter sun will enhance the contrast between dark foliage and white blossoms—near windows where you can observe hummingbird visitors during the coldest months.
13. Western Catalpa
Orchid-like white flowers with purple and yellow markings appear in dramatic upright clusters during late spring. Each bell-shaped bloom holds substantial nectar, making catalpas worth the wait for hungry hummingbirds.
Massive heart-shaped leaves—some reaching dinner-plate size—create dense summer shade. These stately trees grow 40-60 feet tall with distinctive bean-like seed pods that hang on through winter.
Catalpas prefer full sun and adapt to various soil conditions including occasional flooding. Their bold texture makes them excellent specimen trees, though flower drop can create temporary mess worth planning for when choosing placement.
14. Southern Magnolia
Enormous creamy-white flowers unfurl throughout summer, releasing a lemony fragrance that carries across the garden. Hummingbirds are drawn to the central cone of stamens containing rich nectar.
Glossy evergreen leaves with rusty undersides provide year-round structure and nesting opportunities. These stately trees eventually reach 60-80 feet tall but can be maintained smaller in garden settings.
Consider the ‘Little Gem’ cultivar for smaller spaces—it delivers the same magnificent flowers on a more manageable 20-foot frame. Magnolias planted near patios create unforgettable sensory experiences when those dinner-plate blooms open on summer evenings.
15. Fringe Tree
Delicate white flower strands create a misty, cloud-like effect in spring, resembling fringe hanging from branches. Male trees produce slightly showier blooms that attract hummingbirds with their abundant nectar.
Slow-growing to 12-20 feet with a spreading, somewhat irregular form, fringe trees work beautifully in woodland gardens or naturalized areas. The olive-like blue fruits on female plants attract songbirds later in the season.
Native to eastern North America, they offer excellent disease resistance and adaptability to various soil types. Plant where their ethereal flowering display can be backlit by morning sun for a magical effect that showcases visiting hummingbirds.
16. Red Flowering Gum
Fiery red brush-like flowers erupt from eucalyptus-scented foliage in summer, creating dramatic feeding stations for hummingbirds. The unusual flower structure lacks petals entirely, consisting instead of hundreds of stamens that form the distinctive pom-pom shape.
Fast-growing to 20-30 feet, these Australian natives bring drought tolerance and year-round interest to mild-climate gardens. The blue-gray foliage creates beautiful contrast with the vibrant blooms.
Dropping gum nuts and occasional branches make placement away from patios advisable. Still, the spectacular flowering display and reliable hummingbird attraction make any cleanup worthwhile—my specimen draws bird-watchers and photographers throughout its blooming period.
17. Hawthorn
Masses of white or pink blossoms cover branches in spring, creating miniature feeding stations across the entire tree. Some varieties produce red berries that persist into winter, providing visual interest long after blooms fade.
Growing 15-30 feet tall with thorny branches that offer nesting protection, hawthorns create natural security for hummingbirds. Their dense branching pattern makes them excellent privacy screens or property line markers.
Washington hawthorn performs particularly well in eastern gardens, while Indian hawthorn suits western landscapes. Plant where you can enjoy both spring flowers and fall color—the russet autumn foliage creates a beautiful backdrop for late-season hummingbird visits.
18. Pawpaw
Unusual maroon bell-shaped flowers dangle from branches in early spring before leaves emerge. Though not as immediately showy as some flowering trees, the unique blossoms provide early-season nectar when hummingbirds need it most.
Growing 15-30 feet tall, pawpaws form small colonies through root suckers if allowed. The tropical-looking foliage turns brilliant yellow in fall, creating seasonal interest beyond the flowering period.
Large custard-like fruits follow successful pollination, offering a banana-mango flavor that’s worth the wait. Plant pawpaws in groups for best fruit production, and position them where their unusual flowers can be appreciated up close during early spring hummingbird visits.
19. Coral Bean
Brilliant red tubular flowers emerge on leafless stems in spring, creating dramatic vertical accents that hummingbirds spot from impressive distances. Native to the southeastern United States, this small tree evolved specifically to attract hummingbird pollinators.
Growing 10-15 feet tall with a vase-like shape, coral beans work beautifully in mixed borders or as specimen plants. The compound leaves that follow the flowers create tropical texture through summer.
Scarlet seed pods split open in fall to reveal glossy red beans—decorative but toxic if ingested. Plant where spring morning sun will illuminate the tubular flowers, creating fiery beacons for the season’s first hummingbird visitors.