By Andrew Bunting, PHS VP of Horticulture 

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a dazzling gem of the Mid-Atlantic, captivates with its iridescent green feathers and a vibrant ruby throat. These tiny marvels undertake an astonishing migration, journeying from the warmth of southern Mexico and Central America to visit our gardens with from late April to early May. With a penchant for tubular blooms in fiery shades of orange and red, these remarkable birds seek nectar to fuel their energetic lives and prepare for parenthood. 

To welcome these birds into your garden, discover how to create a hummingbird-friendly garden. This guide will offer tips to attract hummingbirds through careful plant selection and garden design. 

Why Attract Hummingbirds? 

Creating a habitat for hummingbirds in your garden not only supports these remarkable birds but also adds vibrant color and texture to your garden with a collection of hummingbird-friendly plants. By understanding how to attract them, you can enhance your garden's ecosystem and enjoy viewing these birds darting among your flowers. 

Flowers that Attract Hummingbirds Early in the Season 

To attract hummingbirds to your garden, it's essential to offer a bountiful supply of nectar early in the season when they first arrive. The flowers below serve as an invitation to hummingbirds seeking sustenance early on in the growing season. 

• Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata 'Dragon Lady') - This native, semi-evergreen vine is adorned with tubular orange-red flowers in early May, making it a great initial food source for returning hummingbirds. It is also a PHS Gold Medal Plant, selected for its ease of cultivation, multiple seasons of interest, commercial availability, appropriateness for the Mid-Atlantic region, and value to wildlife. 
• Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens ‘Margarita’) - Another PHS Gold Medal Plant, this twining vine is best in full sun and is covered in many bright yellow tubular flowers from April to May.  
• RedBuckeye (Aesculus pavia)  - This small flowering tree offers upright clusters of bright red flowers, thriving in both sun and shade, making it perfect for diverse conditions in the garden. 
• Woodland Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) - With reflexed red petals and a yellow center, this perennial reseeds freely and will quickly colonize an area. 

Perennials that Attract Hummingbirds 

Ensuring a continuous supply of nectar for hummingbirds is easy with the right perennials. These long-lasting plants not only provide consistent flowers but also require minimal upkeep, allowing you to enjoy your garden and these attractive birds without the hassle of replanting each year. 

• Beebalm (Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline') - Known for its quick-spreading nature and tubular red flowers in mid-summer, growing to 4-5 feet tall, beebalm is not only a hummingbird favorite but also deer-resistant. 
• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) - With spikes of red flowers, this summer-flowering perennial thrives in wet, saturated soils, a true hummingbird magnet. 
• Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica) - This bushy perennial features bright red tubular flowers with recurved yellow tips, perfect for full sun or shade. 
• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) - While essential for the Monarch Butterfly, its small orange flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds as well. 

Shrubs and Vines to Enhance Hummingbird Habitats 

Shrubs and vines offer vertical interest to your hummingbird haven, providing essential shelter and nesting sites while being a source of food. They can be strategically placed to create a multi-layered habitat. Consider adding these selections to your garden alongside your flowering perennials and annuals for a truly inviting habitat.  

• Southern Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia) - This shrub boasts tubular yellow flowers that hummingbirds love. 
• Flame Azaleas (Rhododendron austrinum) - Flowers in May to June with fragrant orange and yellow flowers. 
• Plumleaf Azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) - This selection of native azalea blooms in late summer with orange and red flowers.  

Annuals and Tropical Plants 

Annual and tropical plants offer a burst of color and excitement to your garden while also providing essential nectar for hummingbirds. These vibrant additions not only attract these intriguing creatures but also give you the freedom to change the look and feel of your outdoor space each year. 

• Annual flowers and tropical plants – These annuals have great ornamental displays of flowers and attract hummingbirds throughout the summer: Nicotiana, zinnias, cannas, Mussaenda, lantana, Pentas, Fuchsia, Scaevola, and Cuphea. 
• Annual salvias - These versatile plants come in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, purple, and white, and their long-lasting blooms provide a continuous source of nectar, Salvias are relatively easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them an ideal choice for novice gardeners. Salvia farinacea ‘Mystic Spires’ has an abundance of spikes with blue flowers. 
• Annual vines - These are worth considering if you love the ability to change the design of your vertical elements. Some wonderful options include Hyacinth Bean Lablab purpureus, which will grow and clamber on any structure and is characterized by trusses of pea-like pink flowers, purple foliage, and shiny purple pods. The Spanish flag vine, Ipomoea lobata (syn. Mina lobata), is a quick-growing vine that has flowering stems that rise above the foliage and at any given time have tubular flowers of yellow, orange, and red. 

Creating the Ideal Hummingbird Environment 

In addition to selecting the right plants, it's important to create a supportive environment for hummingbirds. Provide large shrubs or small trees with open canopies for perching and nesting. A garden bordered by forests or dotted with small, cultivated trees is ideal. 

Creating a garden that attracts hummingbirds is a rewarding endeavor that enriches your outdoor garden. Start your hummingbird garden today and enjoy the beauty they and your plants bring to your home. 

Join our community and share your experiences! Together, we can make every garden a haven for these incredible birds.