Gardening enthusiasts and hummingbird lovers, rejoice! Today, we’re exploring a vibrant collection of annual flowers that are sure to turn your garden into a hummingbird haven. Each of these flowers offers a unique charm that not only beautifies your landscape but also provides nourishment to our tiny, feathered friends. Remember, a garden full of diverse blooms is a garden full of life. So, let’s embark on this colorful journey to discover 26 annual flowers that attract hummingbirds, ensuring your garden is both lively and lush.
1. Agastache
This plant’s aromatic foliage and bright tubular flowers are a delight to any hummingbird. Agastache, also known as hummingbird mint, produces spikes of blooms in shades of pink, lavender, and more.
Its long, slender flowers are perfectly shaped for a hummingbird’s beak, making it a favorite pit stop. Plant these in a sunny spot and watch as they dance gracefully in the breeze, inviting these tiny visitors for a sip of nectar.
2. Bee Balm
Vibrant and wild, Bee Balm is a garden showstopper. Its bright red and pink blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds, offering rich nectar.
Growing in clusters, these tubular flowers create a feast for the eyes and a buffet for hummingbirds. Plant them in well-drained soil and enjoy a lively garden filled with buzzing activity.
3. Cuphea
Known for its cigar-shaped blooms, Cuphea adds a splash of color to any garden. The bright orange and red flowers resemble tiny tubes, making them perfect for hummingbirds.
These unique blooms are a striking addition to your garden, inviting hummingbirds to stop by for a taste. Plant them in full sun to light up your outdoor space.
4. Dahlia
Dahlias are the garden’s crown jewels with their large, intricate blooms. Available in a rainbow of colors, these flowers allure hummingbirds with their striking appearance and sweet nectar.
Plant Dahlias in rich, well-drained soil, and they’ll thrive in your summer garden. Their diverse shapes and sizes make them a versatile choice for any gardener.
5. Emilia
Emilia is an airy, whimsical plant with bright orange-red pom-pom blooms that resemble little tassels swaying on thin stems. These tiny, fluttering flowers may look delicate, but they’re hummingbird magnets, especially when grouped together in a sunny patch. They add a casual, wildflower vibe to any space.
Emilia prefers full sun and tolerates poor soils, making it a great low-fuss annual. It reseeds easily, so once you plant it, you may see cheerful volunteers popping up the following year.
6. Fuchsia
Fuchsias are the ballerinas of the flower world, with their pendulous, two-tone blooms that dangle like elegant earrings. Often found in vivid combinations of pink, purple, and red, fuchsias bloom nonstop in the right conditions. Their tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for hummingbird beaks, and you’ll often see the little birds hovering gracefully to sip their nectar.
Grow fuchsia in hanging baskets or shady containers where their trailing form can shine. They prefer cool temperatures, indirect light or partial shade, and rich, consistently moist soil.
7. Geranium (Pelargonium)
With their bold, colorful clusters and citrus-scented leaves, annual geraniums (Pelargoniums) offer both visual charm and scent appeal.
Bright reds, pinks, and corals are especially favored by hummingbirds, who dart between the blooms with lightning speed. Their compact form makes them ideal for containers, borders, or window boxes.
Plant geraniums in full sun and well-draining soil for the best flowering.
8. Heliotrope
Heliotropes are known for their intoxicating vanilla scent and clusters of deep purple flowers. These blooms are not just a feast for the eyes but also a treat for hummingbirds.
Plant them in a sunny spot, and their fragrance will draw both hummingbirds and admirers to your garden.
9. Impatiens
In the shadier corners of your garden, Impatiens provide a burst of color. These flowers are available in vibrant shades, from pink to red, attracting hummingbirds with their easy access nectar.
Their resilience makes them a staple in many gardens, offering a reliable food source for hummingbirds in cooler areas.
10. Jacobinia
Jacobinia, or Brazilian plume flower, boasts feathery plumes of bright pink or coral tubular blossoms stacked atop dark green foliage. The bold flower spikes add an exotic flair and are particularly attractive to hummingbirds looking for nectar-rich landing spots.
Grow Jacobinia in partial shade with rich, moist, and well-draining soil. It enjoys warmth and humidity, thriving in container gardens or sheltered garden beds.
11. Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate
This whimsically named heirloom plant features cascading tassels of rosy pink flowers that dangle like streamers. Hummingbirds are drawn to the plant’s rich color and the sheer abundance of blooms it offers through summer into fall.
Plant in full sun to part shade with moist, fertile soil. It grows quickly and tall, so give it room and consider staking. Direct sow after frost or start indoors. It reseeds easily, so expect a natural return next year.
12. Lantana
Lantana’s multicolored clusters of flowers are a lively addition to any garden. With shades ranging from pink to yellow, they provide a vibrant feast for hummingbirds.
Thriving in full sun and poor soil, Lantana is heat- and drought-tolerant, making it a fuss-free performer. Water moderately and deadhead spent clusters to prolong blooming. Great for borders, containers, or spilling over hanging baskets.
13. Mina Lobata
Mina Lobata is a fast-growing vine with flame-like flowers that fade from red to orange to creamy yellow. Its vibrant, cascading blooms resemble tiny flags waving down a green vine, catching both the breeze and the attention of hummingbirds.
Provide full sun and support like a trellis or fence for the vine to climb. Start from seed after frost or indoors earlier. Water regularly and watch it climb to 10 feet or more in a single season.
14. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums produce round, shield-like leaves and funnel-shaped flowers in brilliant tones of red, orange, and yellow. Their peppery scent and open blooms make them easy pickings for hummingbirds.
Grow in full sun to part shade with well-draining, not-too-rich soil. Too much fertility leads to more leaves than flowers. They’re ideal for edging, hanging baskets, or letting trail over walls. Bonus: the flowers are edible!
15. Osteospermum
Osteospermum shines with daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow, often with a contrasting center. Its cool tones and abundant blossoms add brightness to borders and containers—and hummingbirds appreciate the nectar-rich centers.
Give full sun and cool temps for best flowering. Deadhead regularly and plant in well-draining soil. In hot climates, it may slow down in mid-summer but often bounces back in fall.
16. Petunia
Petunias are classic hummingbird lures, with trumpet-shaped blooms in a rainbow of colors and patterns. Their scent, especially in old-fashioned or wave types, and their wide throats offer easy access to nectar.
Grow in full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Water regularly, feed every couple weeks, and deadhead or shear for reblooming. Trailing varieties are great for hanging baskets and rail planters.
17. Quamoclit (Cypress Vine)
Quamoclit is a dainty climbing vine with finely cut, fern-like leaves and star-shaped red or pink flowers that hummingbirds can’t resist. It adds a touch of airy elegance and climbs rapidly with just a little support.
Direct sow in full sun after frost. It prefers average soil and moderate moisture. Provide a trellis or fence to scramble up and watch it cover vertical spaces with charm.
18. Red Salvia (Salvia splendens)
Red Salvia features upright spikes of vivid red tubular blooms that stand like torches among green foliage. The shape and color are tailor-made for hummingbirds, making it one of their all-time favorites.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Salvia thrives in heat and requires minimal care beyond regular watering and deadheading. Works well in beds, borders, and containers alike.
19. Snapdragon
Snapdragons sport tall spires packed with dragon-mouthed blooms in nearly every color. The deep, tubular shape is great for hummingbirds, who hover effortlessly to reach the sweet nectar.
Grow in full sun to part shade with rich, moist soil. Plant in spring or fall in cooler climates. Deadhead for continual blooming and pinch back early for bushier growth.
20. Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
Tithonia flaunts large, fiery orange-red daisy-like blooms on tall, fuzzy stems. Its height and vibrant color act like a beacon to hummingbirds—and butterflies too.
Grow in full sun with average soil and moderate water. Direct sow after frost and stake taller plants. Tithonia is heat- and drought-tolerant, blooming profusely through summer.
21. Urn Plant (Bromeliad, grown as annual in some zones)
Though more often grown as a houseplant, the Urn Plant’s central pink spike and bluish-purple flowers are nectar-rich and hummingbird-approved. In warm months, it makes an exotic outdoor feature.
Grow in part shade with well-draining soil and high humidity. Water by filling the central “urn” and mist regularly. Best in containers or hanging baskets in sheltered spots.
22. Verbena
Verbena offers small, clustered blooms in vivid pinks, purples, reds, and whites. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it perfect for trailing containers or ground cover. Hummingbirds appreciate its accessible blooms and long season.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Drought-tolerant once established, but blooms better with regular watering. Deadhead to encourage constant flowering.
23. Weigela (dwarf annual-like cultivars)
Dwarf Weigela varieties, when grown as annuals, deliver bell-shaped blooms in blush pinks and reds perfect for hummingbirds. Their arching form and repeat blooms make them lovely in pots or small borders.
Water regularly and prune lightly after flowering to encourage rebloom. Use annual cultivars in containers for seasonal impact.
24. Zinnia
Zinnias are beloved for their vibrant, daisy-like blooms that come in a spectrum of colors. These hardy flowers are a reliable nectar source for hummingbirds.
Easy to grow, Zinnias thrive in sunlit areas, making them a garden favorite that keeps hummingbirds coming back for more.
25. Clarkia (Godetia)
Clarkia, also known as Godetia, offers delicate pink and purple blooms that add a soft touch to any garden. These flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds.
Plant them in a sunny spot, and enjoy the graceful presence they bring, along with hummingbird visitors that appreciate their beauty.
26. Nicotiana
Nicotiana, or flowering tobacco, enchants with its sweet fragrance and white, trumpet-shaped blooms. These flowers release their scent in the evening.
Plant them in a shaded area to enjoy a night garden filled with the gentle hum of visiting hummingbirds and the delicate scent of blooms.