Blooming Annuals drawn to Hummingbirds each year

Spice up your outdoor space and entice those tiny, charming hummingbirds with a dazzling array of vibrant, nectar-rich annual flowers! Among the finest choices for patio containers, hanging baskets, and flower bed gaps are blossoms that come in colors of red, orange, and pink, and boast tubular shapes that hummingbirds find irresistible. Here are some top picks to get the party started:

Salvia: NOT just sage, this beauty showcases various species and cultivars sporting attractive late-season, tubular flowers that hummingbirds adore. Suitable for full sun to partial shade, Salvia thrives in well-drained, highly organic soil[1].
Fuchsia: These eye-catching plants burst with striking pink, often bicolor, flowers perfect for shady garden spots. Not only do they brighten up those shadowy areas, but they also bloom from spring to fall[1].
Cuphea: This plant may be known as the Cigar Plant, but there are other varieties worth considering as well. Each offers tubular orange blossoms that are a hit with hummingbirds. With their compact size and vibrant color, they're ideal for containers and hanging baskets[3].
Lantana: This plant blooms from midsummer through fall with striking, often multicolored, rounded blossoms that will add a pop of bright color to your garden[2].
Impatiens (red and pink varieties): Suited for shaded gardens, these impatiens offer continuous color throughout the season, making them great for containers and shaded flower bed spots[5].
Pincushion Flower: While not quite as vibrant as some of the other choices, the compact Pincushion Flower still offers a charming two- to three-foot plant with blossoms that look like pincushions filled with needles. Ideal for full sun[1].
Firecracker Plant: This neat, rounded plant growing one to two feet tall produces numerous small, red, tubular flowers that keep hummingbirds coming all season. In addition, it can be overwintered indoors and continues to bloom[4].
Zinnia: Bright, cheery Zinnias come in an array of bold reds, pinks, yellows, and oranges that will liven up any space. They attract pollinators and offer a cheerful visual treat[1].
Mexican sunflower: Reminiscent of a zinnia but with fiery orange-red flowers with golden centers, Mexican sunflowers grow three to six feet tall and are perfect for hummingbirds[1].
Nasturtiums: Beyond adding a peppery flavor to your salads, nasturtiums boast trumpet-shaped flowers that are a delight for hummingbirds. They also thrive in poor, well-drained soils and full sun with some afternoon shade to protect from summer heat[4].

As you sprinkle these dazzling annuals throughout your patio and garden, getting ready to welcome even more hummingbirds is a breeze!

Contributor:Serena Manickam, a freelance editor and writer, and sustainable market gardener in rural Virginia, runs Fairydiddle Farm. She holds a BA in environmental science and grows no-spray produce and herbs to sell at a local farmer's market[1]

[1] Manickam, S. (2021). Annual Flowers that Attract Hummingbirds - The Spruce. [Online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/paper-white-narcissus-1387147[2] Manickam, S. (2019). Lantana: Delightful Foliage And Beautiful Blooms. [Online] Available at: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plants/annuals/lantana/[3] Walker, J. (2021). Cuphea - The Midwest Gardener's Guide. [Online] Available at: https://www.midwestgardeningityoursite.com/cuphea-hummingbird-plant/[4] Manickam, S. (2020). Firecracker Plant - Flowering Houseplants That Love The Heat. [Online] Available at: https://live-life-gardening.com/firecracker-plant/[5] Manickam, S. (2019). 25 Impactious Growing Tips For Impatiens. [Online] Available at: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/annuals/impatiens/impatiens-growing-tips/

In addition to their use in cooking, herbs like Salvia and nasturtiums offer vibrant flowers that attract pollinators, such as hummingbirds, to your home-and-garden or lifestyle space.
By incorporating annuals like fuchsia and lantana into your garden decor, you can create a stunning, shady oasis that blooms from spring to fall, providing food for pollinators and adding to the overall beauty of your outdoor space.
To encourage more hummingbird visits, consider planting compact annuals like pincushion flower and Firecracker Plant in containers or hanging baskets, positioning them in spots with full sun for optimal growth.
Zinnias, with their bright, bold colors, will not only add a cheerful vibe to your garden but also attract various pollinators, making them an excellent addition to your home-and-garden or gardening lifestyle.
Mexican sunflowers, resembling zinnias but with fiery orange-red flowers, are perfect for hummingbirds and can reach heights of three to six feet, adding an impressive vertical element to your organic garden.
Nasturtiums offer more than just peppery flavor for your salad; their trumpet-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and thrive in poor, well-drained soil with full sun and some afternoon shade, making them a great choice for your home-and-garden or gardening lifestyle.