Hummingbirds are drawn to these two flowers that self-seed and bloom from summer to autumn, creating an ideal duo.
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In creating a garden that is both beautiful and attractive to hummingbirds, consider planting a variety of flowers that offer bright, tubular blooms and an abundance of nectar. Here are some excellent plant pairings to get you started.
Cosmos and Verbena make a dreamy, meadow-style planting design, offering vertical interest and plenty of color. These plants grow well together, creating a vibrant, hummingbird-friendly garden.
Agastache, commonly known as hummingbird mint or hyssop, is another great choice. This perennial plant comes in shades of purple, pink, orange, or blue and adds vertical interest and a pop of color in borders or containers. Agastache blooms from midsummer into fall, providing a long-lasting food source for hummingbirds.
For a bolder pop of color, consider the Proven Winners' Pink 'Maestro Coral' variety of agastache. This variety has a strong scent, reminiscent of mint or licorice, adding another appealing sensory layer to the garden.
Zinnias are also a popular choice for hummingbird gardens. They provide a bold base for gardens, while agastache adds vertical contrast and fragrance. Many varieties of zinnias are self-seeding and easy to grow from seed.
If you're looking for a classic look, the Blue Giant agastache can be found at Walmart. This variety has tall spikes of blue-purple flowers that are sure to catch the eye of hummingbirds.
Other plants that are hummingbird magnets include penstemon, bee balm (Monarda), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), nasturtium and cuphea, larkspur, catmint, scarlet hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), valerian, columbine, and lupin.
Penstemon offers colorful, tubular flowers that are drought-tolerant and low maintenance, suitable for a range of growing zones. Bee balm is a cottage garden favorite, with fiery blooms that draw hummingbirds and pair well with larkspur for contrasting colors and vertical interest.
Cardinal flower is a brilliant red native flower that thrives in moist soil and full sun to partial shade; hummingbirds rely on it for pollination due to its flower structure. Nasturtium and cuphea thrive together with contrasting bold blooms and both are hummingbird favorites, creating vibrant garden spots.
Larkspur complements bee balm in cottage garden styles, adding cool vertical hues that appeal to hummingbirds. Catmint is easy to grow and produces tubular flowers from spring to fall, drought tolerant once established, and its mint scent deters deer and rabbits.
Scarlet hibiscus has large deep-red flowers that bloom mid to late summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies; it thrives in moist soil and zones 8-10. Valerian is a drought-tolerant perennial good for summer blooming, attracting migrating hummingbirds, and is hardy to zone 5.
Columbine has long, tubular, nectar-rich flowers especially in red and orange, aligning well with hummingbird migration and is drought-resistant. Lupin provides bold colorful vertical clusters of tubular flowers that are hardy and attract hummingbirds, thriving even in poor soil.
For optimal hummingbird gardens, focus on a mix of native plants with tubular, brightly colored blooms appearing at different times to provide continuous nectar throughout the season. Combining these with feeders can create an even more inviting hummingbird habitat.
Zinnias make excellent cut flowers for floral arrangements, and hummingbirds are attracted to gardens as beneficial pollinators. By choosing a mix of annuals and native perennials, you can create a garden that is both beautiful and hummingbird-friendly.
References:
[1] The Spruce - Best Hummingbird Plants for Your Garden
[2] The Old Farmer's Almanac - Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
[3] Birds & Blooms - 10 Hummingbird Flowers for Your Garden
[4] Country Living - How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden
[5] Garden Myths - Valerian: A Gardener's Guide
Incorporating various plant varieties into one's lifestyle, such as Zinnias for a bold base and Agastache for vertical contrast, can transform a garden into a captivating, hummingbird-friendly oasis as seen in a meadow-style design with Cosmos and Verbena. Fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts might also appreciate the addition of home-and-garden elements like Penstemon, Blue Giant agastache, and Scarlet hibiscus, not only for their mesmerizing blooms but also for their durability and adaptability.
