What flowers do hummingbirds love? Turn your garden into a pollinator\’s paradise with colorful hummingbird flowers like bee balm and sage.

Hummingbird flowers have three things in common. Its flowers are tubular, brightly colored, and grow where it is easy for hummingbirds to fly and sip. Plant these hummingbird-loving flowers in your yard or garden to attract more beautiful birds.

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)

A few species within the genus Aquilegia are used as perennial garden plants (for example, Aquilegia canadensis, common dove), but more importantly, many cultivars and hybrids developed from these species.

This spring-blooming perennial has gorgeous flowers with long spiny tails and is one of the oldest nectar sources for hummingbirds. It prefers partial shade.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

The perennial bee balm\’s full spikes and spherical shape make it an exciting and attractive plant in the garden and a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

This flower typically grows two to four feet tall and requires dividing every three to four years. It is freely seeded in the garden unless the flowers are dead-headed after they bloom.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

A member of the Lobelia genus of flowering plants, the cardinal flower is a perennial form that produces long flower stalks that grow up to four feet tall. Its rich red flowers are delicately shaped, making it attractive as a garden plant and food source for hummingbirds.

Best placed at the back of mixed perennial garden beds. Adding mulch helps keep the soil moist and prevents frost in colder climates (north of zone 6). Cardinal flowers do not require division but are relatively short-lived perennials. However, it self-sows freely and often colonizes permanently in the garden.

Penstemons (Penstemon species)

Penstemons are North American natives that come in many forms. It is best to plant those that are native to your area. These hummingbird flowers are low maintenance if you place them in full sun and soil with excellent drainage; They especially hate wet feet in winter.

The options are almost limitless. Choose from a broad palette of flower colors, including white, yellow, blue, purple, red, and orange. Grow these potted flowers and plants that attract hummingbirds.

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Also called trumpet vine, this majestic vine bursts from summer through fall with bright orange flowers that hummers can\’t resist. Native to eastern North America, the trumpet vine grows quickly and vigorously and needs a substantial arbor, trellis, or fence for support. Trim as needed to keep it under control, and don\’t water or fertilize too often; This hardy vine prefers slightly poor, dry soil.

It does best in full sun to part shade but beware of its invasive properties and aggressive growth. Frequent pruning is necessary to prevent this plant from dominating a garden or escaping into surrounding areas.

Salvia (Salvia species)

Salvia is a large genus of plants in the mint family. The plants produce long spikes of clustered flowers and have lance-shaped leaves that give off a distinctive scent when cut or crushed. While butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds flock to just about any variety of sage, you can count on hummers visiting Salvia microphylla “Hot Lips,” with 2-tone red and white flowers, and Salvia greggii, often called autumn sage. This North American native produces red, purple, pink, or white flowers from summer to fall. All sage prefers sunny locations and is moderately drought tolerant.

Lupine (Lupinus x hybridus)

Wild lupine does not perform well in home gardens, but many hybrids have been developed that make it excellent though short-lived garden perennial. This early bloomer is ideal for attracting hummingbirds in the spring before other flowers appear and when insect food sources are still scarce.

The plants typically grow three to four feet tall with dense flower spikes, but dwarf varieties that stay under two feet are also available. The division is unnecessary, but they should be replanted every three years. In warmer climates, lupine is often grown as an annual.

Fun Facts About Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are one of the most exciting birds! Here are some fun facts about these little birds:

• Bee hummingbirds are the smallest birds, weighing less than an ounce and only 2 inches long.

• Their brightly colored iridescent feathers and swift movements make them look like animated suncatchers, hence their nickname, \”flying jewels.\”

• Hummingbirds can fly in all directions, including backward, beating their wings at up to 80 beats per second.

• They can hover in the air when drinking nectar from brightly colored flowers with their long, slender bills.

• As they buzz through the garden, hummingbirds expend so much energy that they must eat at least half their body weight daily to replace the burned calories. This means eating almost constantly, from sunrise to sunset, and visiting over a thousand flowers daily.