Key Takeaways

• Annual flower beds and containers alone can attract many hummingbirds to small yards and patios.

• Plant in clumps of tubular, nectar‑rich annuals—like salvia, petunia, lantana, and fuchsia—for strong color and easy feeding.

• Layer beds (tall annuals in back, medium in the middle, low at the front) and leave open space so hummingbirds can hover and move between blooms.

• Place one or two feeders on hooks just off the edge of the bed so birds can use both flowers and feeders.

• Keep annuals well watered, fertilized, and deadheaded so your hummingbird color show lasts from spring through fall.

Not everyone wants a permanent shrub border or a big mixed garden. If you mostly plant annual flower beds each spring—whether in the ground, along a walkway, or in pots—you can still create a yard that hummingbirds visit over and over all season.

This guide shows how to choose annuals, arrange them, and care for them so your beds become hummingbird magnets.

1. What hummingbirds look for in flowers

Even in simple annual beds, hummingbirds are drawn to certain flower traits:

• Tubular or trumpet‑shaped blooms they can reach into with their long bills.

• Bright colors, especially reds, oranges, and hot pinks that stand out from green foliage.

• Lots of blooms close together, so they can get a good meal without flying far.

• Fresh nectar through the whole season, not just one short bloom burst.

• “Feeders can help with that too—my hummingbird feeder and nectar guide shows a simple 4‑to‑1 recipe and cleaning schedule.”

You can meet all of these needs with common annuals you’ll find at garden centers or in seed racks.

2. Good annuals for hummingbird beds

You can tailor this list a bit by region, but these are widely available annuals that hummingbirds use regularly:

“For more permanent options, see my native shrubs and perennials for hummingbirds.”

• Salvia (annual types) – Often sold as red, purple, or bicolor bedding salvias or as taller “hummingbird” salvias; the tubular flowers and long bloom time make them classics.

• Petunia and calibrachoa – Trumpet‑shaped flowers in hanging baskets, pots, and borders; hummingbirds often visit them for quick snacks.

• Lantana – Heat‑loving annual in cooler climates; clusters of small tubular blooms in hot colors that hummingbirds and butterflies both use.

• Zinnia (single‑flowered types) – Bright colors that attract hummingbirds and pollinators; taller varieties make a nice back row in beds.

• Cuphea (sometimes sold as “cigar plant” or “hummingbird’s lunch”) – Covered with tiny tubular flowers hummingbirds pick off one by one.

• Nicotiana (flowering tobacco) – Tubular blooms, especially in evening, can draw hummingbirds as well as moths.

• Fuchsia – Excellent in hanging baskets and shady spots; dangling tubular flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds.

• Snapdragon – Not as classic as salvia, but the tubular flowers are used by some hummingbirds, especially if planted in mass.

• Pentas – Clusters of starry flowers; often visited by hummingbirds in warm‑weather regions.

3. How to arrange annuals for maximum hummingbird appeal

Even if you use only annuals, how you plant them matters as much as which ones you choose.

Plant in clumps, not singles

• Instead of one salvia here and one there, plant at least three of the same plant together.

• ​Clumps of the same color act like a big “nectar sign” hummingbirds can see from a distance.

Use layers in the bed

Even a small bed benefits from layers:

• Back row: Taller annuals like taller salvias, zinnias, or nicotiana.

• Middle row: Medium plants like lantana or compact salvias.

• Front/edge: Petunias, calibrachoa, or low cuphea.

This gives hummingbirds different flower heights to work through and makes the bed look fuller for you.

Leave flight space

• Don’t pack the entire bed solid—leave small gaps and paths between clumps so hummingbirds can move easily from flower to flower.

• If you have containers, group pots so there’s open space around and above them for birds to hover.

4. Using containers and hanging baskets

Many people’s “annual beds” are really pots, window boxes, or hanging baskets. Those can be excellent hummingbird stations if you use them intentionally.

“They’re also perfect spots to hang a feeder from a simple hook—see where to place hummingbird feeders on my feeding page.”

• Place containers where you can see them from a favorite window or sitting spot, but with some open air around them for hummingbirds to approach.

• For hanging baskets, choose fuchsia, trailing petunias, or calibrachoa, and hang them at about eye level so you can enjoy the birds up close.

• Group a few pots together—say, one tall salvia, one lantana, and one petunia pot—to create a stronger “nectar zone” instead of scattering them.

Video: Hanging Baskets For Hummingbirds

5. Keeping annuals blooming for the birds

To keep hummingbirds coming back, your annuals need to keep flowering.

• Sun: Most hummingbird‑friendly annuals bloom best in at least 6 hours of sun per day. Petunias, lantana, salvias, and zinnias all appreciate full sun.

• Water: Annuals in beds and containers dry out quickly. Water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry rather than a little every day.

• Fertilizer: Use a balanced or bloom‑boosting fertilizer occasionally to keep flowers coming, especially in pots where nutrients wash out.

• Deadheading: Removing spent flowers on zinnias, salvias, and petunias encourages more buds; more buds mean more nectar over time.

• “If you plant mostly perennials and shrubs, my gardening for hummingbirds pages cover long‑term bloom and habitat.”

6. Combining annual beds with feeders

Even if someone never plants a shrub, pairing annual beds with a few well‑placed feeders makes the space much more attractive to hummingbirds.

• Hang or mount one or two feeders near your annual beds, but not buried in the flowers—give a bit of open space for birds to hover.

• Keep feeders at a comfortable viewing height (about eye level to a bit above) so you can enjoy the birds while you’re on the porch or looking out a window.

Use your beds as “background color” that draws hummingbirds into the area; many will then also find your feeders.

“If you’re ready for a feeder that’s actually easy to keep clean, ant and bee proof as well as inexpensive, take a closer look at it here.”

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7. Simple seasonal plan for annual‑only gardeners

For readers who want something very concrete, offer a basic “recipe” they can repeat each year.

Spring / early planting

• Choose 2–3 types of hummingbird‑friendly annuals you like.

• Plant them in clumps:

  • Back: tall salvia or zinnia

  • Middle: lantana or pentas

  • Front/edge: petunia/calibrachoa or low cuphea

Summer

• Keep up with watering, feeding, and deadheading so the beds stay colorful.

• Add a couple of bright hanging baskets (fuchsia or trailing petunias) near porches and windows.

Late summer / early fall

• If some annuals are fading, tuck in a few late‑blooming salvias or lantana to keep nectar going until migration peaks.

What to read next

When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders in Your State
Not sure when to start feeding? Use my state‑by‑state timing guide to see exactly when to put feeders out (and when to take them down) where you live, plus simple tips for keeping hummingbirds safe.

Simple Nectar Recipe and Feeder Care Guide
Once your flowers are in, make sure your feeders are just as inviting. Learn the safest 4‑to‑1 nectar recipe, how often to change it in hot weather, and the easiest way to keep feeders clean and mold‑free.

Conclusion:

Planting annual flower beds is one of the easiest ways to enjoy hummingbirds up close, even if you don’t have room—or patience—for permanent landscaping. By choosing nectar‑rich annuals, planting them in generous clumps, and pairing your beds with a well‑placed feeder or two, you turn ordinary flower borders and containers into reliable hummingbird stops all season long.

“If you’d like to explore more ideas from major bird and garden organizations, these guides are a great next step:”

• Designing a Hummingbird Garden: 15 Ways to Keep Them Coming – National Audubon Society
  A step‑by‑step look at how to plan hummingbird gardens of any size, including planting in patches, using vertical space, and keeping blooms going through the season.

• Annual Flowers That Hummingbirds Love – Home Garden Seed Association
  Highlights annuals like salvias, zinnias, and other colorful flowers that hummingbirds regularly use, with notes on color and flower shape.

• ​Hummingbird Feeding FAQs – National Audubon Society
  Clear answers on nectar recipes, how often to clean feeders, and when to put feeders out, from a trusted bird organization.

Frequently Asked Questions About Annuals and Hummingbirds

Do I have to plant red flowers to attract hummingbirds?
No. Hummingbirds do notice red, but they also use orange, pink, purple, and even white flowers as long as they have tubular blooms and good nectar. The overall density of blooms matters more than sticking to one color, so focus on clumps of nectar‑rich annuals like salvia, petunia, and lantana rather than any one shade.

Will hummingbirds still come if I only plant annuals and don’t have shrubs?
Yes. Annual beds and containers can attract plenty of hummingbirds on their own, especially if you keep them blooming all season and place a feeder nearby. If you ever decide to add more permanent structure later, you can check my hummingbird shrub and native plant guides for ideas to layer behind your annual beds.

How many annual plants do I need for a small bed?
For a bed about 8–10 feet long, aim for at least 3–5 plants of each type you choose. For example, you might use 6 salvias in the back, 4 lantanas or pentas in the middle, and 8–10 petunias or calibrachoa along the front edge. If you’re matching your bed to peak hummingbird season, you can pair this with my guide on when to feed hummingbirds in your state so flowers and feeders are ready at the same time.

Can I attract hummingbirds with hanging baskets only?
You can. A few bright hanging baskets—especially fuchsia or trailing petunias—placed near a porch or window can draw hummingbirds on their own. Grouping baskets and pots together makes the display more noticeable, and adding a nearby feeder from my how to feed hummingbirds safely page makes your setup even more reliable for them.

Should I still use feeders if I have lots of annual flowers?
Feeders and flowers work best together. Annuals provide natural nectar and color, while feeders offer a reliable fuel stop even when weather is bad or plants are between bloom flushes. For a simple 4‑to‑1 nectar recipe and cleaning schedule, see my hummingbird feeder and nectar guide, and for timing your feeders correctly, check my state‑by‑state “when to feed hummingbirds” page.

Where to link: