Creating a Hummingbird Haven: Native Plants That Attract Them 

There is something truly enchanting about watching a hummingbird zip by on its way to the next patch of nectar or hover perfectly still, belly stuck out, as it gorges on sweet juices. As someone who has been gardening almost as long as I can remember, nothing has given me greater joy than planting flowers that bring these gorgeous little birds back again and again. The best way to create a hummingbird-friendly garden is by using native plants, those that have evolved over thousands of years with hummingbirds and that are therefore naturally attractive to them.

Native plants not only produce nectar-filled blooms in the perfect shapes and colors (mostly tubular and red), they are also low-maintenance and good for the environment. If you live in the Southeast—or more specifically, Tennessee—you are in hummingbird heaven, as our area is full of plants that hummingbirds just can’t resist.

Let’s take a look at the very best native plants to attract hummingbirds, from early spring to late fall.

Bring Them Home: Early Spring Plants 

Hummingbirds begin migrating north in early spring, so it’s important to have something blooming for them as soon as they arrive. One of their absolute favorites is the Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia). Red Buckeye is one of the first trees to bloom in spring, sporting cups of bright red tubular flowers that practically scream “nectar available here!” Red Buckeye is a small native tree that does best in shade and well-drained soil, and can be a lovely accent at the edge of a woodland garden.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is another hummingbird favorite that is one of the first flowers to bloom each year. The pendulous red-and-yellow blooms will fill your shade garden with color, and columbine self-seeds like crazy, so you can count on it to come back every year. This is an excellent way to jump-start your hummingbird garden before the really hummingbird-intensive months of summer roll around.

Feed Them Up: Summer Favorites 

Once summer is in full swing, it’s time to really hit the hummingbirds with everything you’ve got. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) is one of my all-time favorite plants in both pollinator and hummingbird gardens. Its bright red blooms and intoxicating mint scent make it a magnet for just about every bee and butterfly out there, and hummingbirds are no exception. Bee balm likes full sun, is quite happy to spread out in the garden, and will come back stronger every year.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is another heavy hitter that you will not want to miss out on. The tall stalks of brilliant red blooms make a statement in any garden, and because it is native to the Tennessee region you know it will grow well and bring hummingbirds. Cardinal Flower is found naturally in all sorts of places throughout our area, from streambanks to wetlands to the wilder parts of woodlands. It’s a moisture lover, so plant it in a spot that gets at least some shade and make sure it doesn’t dry out.

In the same family as Cardinal Flower is Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), also known as Cardinal Flower, and it thrives in the same conditions, but blooms just a bit later in the season with rich blue blooms.

For a huge hummingbird draw, I also recommend Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans). Hummingbirds can’t get enough of the trumpet-shaped orange-red flowers, so provide a nice space for it to grow and a fence or arbor for it to climb, and you’re in business. Trumpet Vine doesn’t know the meaning of the word “modest” when it comes to attracting hummingbirds, so be warned—it will spread like wildfire and needs a place to go where it won’t run amok over your more refined shrubs and flowers.

Tip: Need an easy way to get started? TN Nursery offers a special collection of 6 nectar-rich flowers that are native to Tennessee and sure to bring hummingbirds to your garden. You can find their Hummingbird Plant Collection here, and it’s the perfect way to start your garden on the right foot without getting overwhelmed by choice.

Hold the Fort: Late Season Blooms 

As summer draws to a close and early fall arrives, make sure that you’re keeping hummingbirds well-fed so that they have the energy to make their migration journey north. Late season standouts include Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), a cousin to the Cardinal Flower that thrives in similar conditions, but produces deep blue blooms a little later in the season.

Don’t forget about Asters and Goldenrods, either. While their main role in the hummingbird garden may be to provide nectar in late season when other flowers have stopped blooming, they also attract beneficial insects that hummingbirds feed on for protein.

Unique and beautiful, Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica) is a great choice for a native plant with bright red tubes that end in a brilliant yellow star, creating an almost otherworldly effect. Set it out it in a shady spot and it will light up the whole place, and you’ll never look at a shade garden in the same way again. Plus, it’s a big favorite of mine. 

If you’re looking for a big impact plant, look no further than Cardinal Flower at TN Nursery. They have bare root Cardinal Flower, so you can plant it easily and quickly and enjoy those beautiful tall spikes of red flowers hummingbird central.

Tips for Designing a Hummingbird Garden 

Great hummingbird gardens use more than just native plants, they are designed in a way that makes them especially attractive to our little ruby-throated friends. Try clustering the same species together rather than scattering them willy-nilly through the garden. This will make it easier for hummingbirds to find your blooms, and will effectively create super-efficient feeding zones.

Vary the heights of your garden by mixing tall perennials, vines, and low-growing ground covers. And remember to add vertical elements like trellises and arbors for the hummingbirds to use as resting and nesting spots.

Water features also play a role in attracting hummingbirds. A small fountain or mister can attract them just as much as a pretty flower can, especially during the hot summer months.

Feeders are OK, as long as you also have plenty of natural blooms to offer. Consider them a “just in case” option. When filling a feeder, use a 1: 4 ratio of sugar to water, and never add red dye.

Lastly, and this cannot be overstated: Do NOT use pesticides. Hummingbirds, as you may have gathered by now, feed on nectar. They also eat little bugs and spiders, especially during nesting season. Spraying your garden not only robs them of a necessary protein source, but it can do them harm.

Why Native? 

Native plants are the foundation for any good hummingbird garden. Ornamentals often lack nectar and bloom at times of year when our ruby-throated friends are either just arriving in the area or preparing to head back south, while native flowers have evolved right alongside our hummers, and are, by definition, irresistible to them. If you’re interested in learning more about native plants, pollinators, and birds in general, check out this fantastic guide from University of Tennessee Extension.

Closing Thoughts 

Planting a hummingbird-friendly garden is about so much more than attracting a pretty bird. It’s about creating a living, breathing ecosystem that will bring you and the whole family joy for years to come. Using native plants that bloom from early spring to late fall, you can provide shelter, food, and beauty for your local hummingbirds and the other creatures who make your backyard home.

The next time I see one of my ruby-throated pals zooming by the columbine or honeysuckle that I planted, I’ll be reminded of just how much impact a few little plant choices can make. Small visitors, big results. 

So, what are you waiting for? Go plant some flowers and let the magic of hummingbirds into your world.