Want a hummingbird garden right now? Here are some fast-growing hummingbird-enticing flowers, handpicked by professional growers.
With hummingbirds, there’s no time to wait. They constantly desire food, plus we crave the instant satisfaction of watching them. But many perennials take a season or two to bloom, and shrubs might even take years. So how to attract hummingbirds right away?
First, look at the bigger picture, says Karen Bussolini, senior horticultural advisor at White Flower Farm. Use flower choices that invite them to nest in your yard, rather than just pass through, by choosing plants that bloom across the growing season and offer abundant nectar.
“Surprisingly, insects are a large portion of their diet, too,” says Karen. Add native plants to your garden and you will see hummingbirds vacuum up the protein-filled insects that feed on these plants.
Here are some ideas for fast-growing flowers that hummingbirds love.
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Scarlet Sage
The fast-growing tubular red flowers of Salvia coccinea are perfectly shaped for hummingbird beaks. They re-bloom from late spring until the first frost and are native to the southeastern US. “Scarlet sage is one of the easiest ways to attract hummingbirds,” says Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation. “It establishes quickly and blooms generously for an extended season.”
An annual below Zone 8, scarlet sage grows 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Plant in full sun to part sun with well-draining soil.
Courtesy David Ellis
Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot)
The shaggy, lavender-pink, tubular blooms of Monarda fistulosa, are nectar-rich from mid- to late summer. They also attract insects that provide essential protein when hummingbirds are raising their young. “Bee balm is a vibrant, charming, whimsical plant that hummingbirds can easily spot when planted in drifts,” says Mary.
Plant it in full sun to part shade, Zones 3 to 9, and expect growth of 2 to 4 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide. Wild bergamot is adaptable to well-draining soils, drought-tolerant and native to much of the country.
Courtesy Kira Macneil
Zinnia
Zinnias don’t immediately scream “hummingbird,” but looks are deceiving, explains Karen. “With an astonishing array of heights and colors, there should be room for at least a couple varieties in every garden,” she says.
These fast-growing, heat-tolerant annual flowers do well in full sun with well-draining, evenly moist soil. Enjoy rounded, solitary blooms from June to October. Zinnia ‘Zowie! Yellow Flame’ and Zinnia elegans ‘Giant Dahlia Flowered Deep Red’ are among Karen’s favorites.
Courtesy Suzanne Cassidy
Lantana
Dense mounds of vibrant warm-toned flowers deliver nectar throughout the season. “Lantana is the go-to plant for hummingbirds,” says Jim Putnam, a horticulturist with Southern Living Plant Collection. “It blooms nonstop through the hottest part of summer, handling heat and drought beautifully.”
An annual below Zone 10, lantana grows 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide. Plant in full sun and well draining soil. Putnam recommends ‘Red Little Lucky’, a tidy, compact variety with vivid red blooms.
Note: According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, lantana is considered invasive in Hawaii, several southern states, and tropical areas. If you are concerned, stick with sterile cultivars.
PanAmerican Seed
Caliburst Petchoa
Marcus Jansen of PanAmerican Seed recommends these unapologetically bright yellow flowers for hanging baskets and containers. “Caliburst is almost always sold in-flower at garden centers, so you can begin providing for your local hummingbirds as soon as it reaches your yard,” he says.
A fusion of petunia and calibrachoa, its flowers grow in tidy, compact mounds, maxing out at 10 inches high and 28 inches wide. Plant in full sun, and look for more colors coming soon.
Courtesy Lea Beard
Giant Hyssop
Easy to grow in gardens or containers, the purple-pink tubular flowers of Agastache mexicana burst from spiky stalks, sticking around from late spring through the frost. “I love this plant because of the flower power and bold colors,” says Darren Barshaw of Darwin Perennials. “The hummingbirds love it for the same reasons.”
Perennial giant hyssop often blooms the first year and is hardy to zone 6. Plant in full sun and well-draining soil, and expect sizes of 16 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide.
Courtesy Katherine Poulsen
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Hummingbirds covet the many-blossomed spikes of penstemon. With 200-plus varieties native to North America, there’s not shortage of choices, but Chuck Pavlich of Terra Nova Nurseries particularly admires the shiny, purple-black leaves of Dakota Burgundy. “I really like this plant for its durability and usefulness,” he says. “It puts out an amazing number of flowers.”
Most varieties are hearty, drought-tolerant, and good candidates for containers with well-draining soil.
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