The best native plants for attracting hummingbirds to your area depend on your region’s climate, soil, and elevation. Below is a detailed guide highlighting some of the most effective native plants across different areas:
Key Characteristics of Hummingbird-Friendly Plants
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Brightly colored flowers, especially red, orange, or pink.
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Tubular or funnel-shaped blossoms that hold nectar.
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Continuous blooming periods to provide food throughout the season.
Examples of Native Plants by Region
Here’s why native plants are so important. A whole ecosystem is dependent on the native plants growing in that region. This video shows you how to fill your landscape with native flowers, bushes and trees that you don’t have to water or fertilize, and which support the wildlife and biodiversity of your area — from pollinators to birds and beyond. Featuring: serviceberry tree, joe pye, azalea, golden ragwort, rhododendron, oakleaf hydrangea, yellow and coral trumpet honeysuckle, obedient plant, hoary skullcap, American wisteria and more (zone 7).
Best Native Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds in Different U.S. Regions
Hummingbirds are drawn to brightly colored, tubular flowers rich in nectar. Below is a curated list of native plants for various U.S. regions to help you create a hummingbird-friendly garden.
List of Native Hummingbird-Attracting Plants for the Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is rich in native plants that provide nectar and habitat for hummingbirds, particularly the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These plants thrive in the region’s temperate climate and are perfect for creating hummingbird-friendly gardens.
Native Flowers
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Eastern Red Columbine
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Cardinal Flower
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Jewelweed
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Bee Balm
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Butterfly Weed
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Great Blue Lobelia
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Fire Pink
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Wild Bergamot
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Spotted Touch-Me-Not
Native Shrubs
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Red Buckeye
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Buttonbush
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Highbush Blueberry
Native Vines
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Trumpet Honeysuckle
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Virgin’s Bower
Additional Favorites
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Wild Columbine
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Goldenrod
These native plants provide nectar-rich blooms throughout the growing season, supporting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Adding these species to your garden helps create a vibrant, sustainable habitat while enhancing the beauty of your landscape.
List of Native Hummingbird-Attracting Plants for the Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States is home to a wide variety of native plants that attract hummingbirds, providing them with nectar and habitat throughout the year. These plants thrive in the region’s warm climate and diverse ecosystems.
Native Flowers
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Scarlet Sage
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Coral Honeysuckle
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Eastern Red Columbine
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Cardinal Flower
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Jewelweed
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Butterfly Weed
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Spotted Bee Balm
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Fire Pink
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Indian Pink
Native Shrubs
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Red Buckeye
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American Beautyberry
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Sweet Pepperbush
Native Vines
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Trumpet Honeysuckle
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Cross Vine
Additional Favorites
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Hoary Skullcap
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Blue Sage
These native plants are excellent choices for attracting hummingbirds, providing nectar-rich blooms throughout the growing season. Incorporating these species into your garden supports pollinators while enhancing the natural beauty of your landscape.
List of Native Hummingbird-Attracting Plants for the Midwestern United States
The Midwest is home to many native plants that provide nectar and habitat for hummingbirds like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These plants thrive in the region’s diverse climates and are ideal for creating hummingbird-friendly gardens.
Native Flowers
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Eastern Red Columbine
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Cardinal Flower
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Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot)
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Butterfly Weed
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Blue Lobelia
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Fire Pink
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Yellow Coneflower
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Prairie Blazing Star
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Foxglove Beardtongue
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Wild Sweet William
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Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Native Shrubs
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Golden Currant
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Buttonbush
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New Jersey Tea
Native Vines
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Trumpet Creeper
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Trumpet Honeysuckle
Additional Favorites
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Jewelweed
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Savanna Blazing Star
These native plants are excellent choices for attracting hummingbirds, providing nectar-rich blooms throughout the growing season. Incorporating these species into your garden supports pollinators while enhancing the natural beauty of your landscape.
List of Native Hummingbird-Attracting Plants for the Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States, with its arid landscapes and unique ecosystems, is home to a variety of native plants that attract hummingbirds. These plants are well-adapted to the region’s hot, dry conditions and provide essential nectar sources for hummingbirds.
Native Flowers
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Scarlet Gilia
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Desert Globemallow
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Firecracker Penstemon
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Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.)
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Indian Paintbrush
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Desert Marigold
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Evening Primrose
Native Shrubs
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Apache Plume
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Desert Willow
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Brittlebush
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Creosote Bush
Native Vines
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Orange Honeysuckle
Cacti and Succulents
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Red Yucca
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Ocotillo
Additional Favorites
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Hummingbird Trumpet
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Hyssop (Hummingbird Mint)
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California Fuchsia
These native plants not only attract hummingbirds with their nectar-rich blooms but also thrive in the challenging conditions of the Southwest. By incorporating these species into your garden, you can create a sustainable and vibrant habitat for hummingbirds while enhancing the beauty of your landscape.
List of Native Hummingbird-Attracting Plants for the Pacific Northwest United States
The Pacific Northwest is home to a variety of native plants that attract hummingbirds, providing them with nectar and habitat throughout the year. Here’s a list of native plants ideal for supporting hummingbirds in this region:
Native Flowers
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Red Columbine
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Tiger Lily
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Pacific Bleeding Heart
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Fireweed
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Indian Paintbrush
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Scarlet Gilia
Native Shrubs
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Red-Flowering Currant
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Salmonberry
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Evergreen Huckleberry
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Oceanspray
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Snowberry
Native Vines
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Orange Honeysuckle
Native Trees
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Western Red Cedar
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Vine Maple
These plants are not only beautiful but also provide critical nectar sources and shelter for hummingbirds, especially species like Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds that frequent the Pacific Northwest. Incorporating these native species into your garden supports local ecosystems while creating a vibrant, hummingbird-friendly landscape.
List of Native Hummingbird-Attracting Plants for the Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are home to a variety of native plants that provide nectar and habitat for hummingbirds. These plants thrive in the region’s diverse elevations and climates, making them excellent choices for creating hummingbird-friendly gardens.
Native Flowers
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Scarlet Gilia
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Rocky Mountain Penstemon
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Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm)
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Showy Milkweed
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Rocky Mountain Bee Plant
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Dotted Gayfeather
Native Shrubs
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Golden Currant
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Wax Currant
Native Vines
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Hummingbird Trumpet
Additional Hummingbird Favorites
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Coral Bells
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Columbine
These native plants not only attract hummingbirds with their nectar-rich blooms but also support other pollinators and wildlife. Incorporating these species into your garden helps create a vibrant, sustainable habitat for hummingbirds in the Rocky Mountain region.
General Tips
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Plant a variety of species to ensure blooms throughout the growing season.
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Focus on native plants as they provide more nectar and require less maintenance than non-native species.
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Avoid pesticides, as they can harm hummingbirds and their insect prey.
By incorporating these native plants into your garden, you can create a vibrant, sustainable habitat that supports hummingbirds year-round.