As gardeners, we want to attract pollinators that help our plants flourish, and hummingbirds are one of the most beautiful and beneficial garden visitors we can invite into our gardens. If you’re interested in doing the least amount of work for the most reward, then low-maintenance perennials that attract hummingbirds are just the thing.
I don’t know anyone who isn’t charmed by these tiny, lightning-fast birds commonly known as hummers by their fans. Not only are hummingbirds important pollinators for plants, but they also keep pests like aphids, mosquitoes, and gnats under control naturally. Add to that the absolute delight they elicit and why wouldn’t you want to attract these tiny aeronauts into the garden?
So what are the best low-maintenance plants you can grow to lure in these exotic-looking birds? There are plenty of flowers that attract hummingbirds with a variety of bloom times that will provide a steady supply of nectar to feed birds in your pollinator garden all summer long. Here are 6 low-maintenance perennial options our gardening experts and hummingbirds absolutely adore.
Low-Maintenance Perennials That Attract Hummingbirds
Low-maintenance perennials are often North American native plants that have evolved over hundreds of years to this specific environment. This evolution has made them easy to care for and made many of them drought, disease, and even pest-resistant when grown in or near their native habitat. Here are my favorite low-maintenance perennials that hummingbirds love.
1. Penstemon
Penstemon or beardtongue, is a favorite amongst hummers. It has long, tubular flowers that hummingbirds love because it makes the nectar easy to access. This North American native wildflower encompasses over 280 species ranging in height from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to over 6 feet (2 m) and with blooms that come in an array of different hues.
This classic penstemon plant from American Beauties, which you can get on Amazon, has elegant white blooms that look beautiful contrasted against maroon stems. Plant penstemon in well-draining soil in USDA growing zones 3-9 for a stunning full sun hummingbird plant.
2. Bee Balm
Native to the Pacific Northwest, bee balm (Monarda spp.) is a member of the mint family. It grows to between 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m) in height depending upon the variety and comes in colors ranging from flaming red to pink to light purple.
‘Raspberry Wine’ bee balm from the Gardening Know How Shop has rich, merlot-hued blooms that would look stunning planted alongside a penstemon that has similar colored foliage. Also called bergamot or horsemint, bee balm grows in USDA zones 3-9 in well-drained soil and sun to partial sun.
3. Agastache
Agastache or hyssop, which is also aptly known as hummingbird mint, is a perennial with light purple flower spikes—though there are many other different colored cultivars nowadays. The ‘Little Adder’ agastache from Home Depot has bright purple blooms that are similar to the native variety, but with a tad more excitement.
Hyssop can grow in USDA zones 4-10 and prefers well-drained soil and full sun. As an herbaceous perennial, it will die back over the winter and return in the spring. Once established, it is drought tolerant.
4. Honeysuckle Vine
Hummers are attracted to the brilliantly colored red and orange tubular blooms of the native coral honeysuckle plant (Lonicera sempervirens), not to be confused with the invasive Japanese honeysuckle weed. As a vine, coral honeysuckle needs some type of support, though it thrives in both full sun and partial shade. Plant your honeysuckle vine in well-draining but moist soil.
Once established, coral honeysuckle is fairly low maintenance, needing only occasional pruning. It attracts a multitude of other pollinators in addition to hummingbirds and it is also deer resistant. Most honeysuckle vines can be grown in USDA zones 4-9 however, some varieties prefer the warmer climates of zones 8a to 10b. ‘Major Wheeler’ honeysuckle vine, which you can find on Amazon, is a popular cultivar with stunning pink and orange tubular blooms.
5. Catmint
Catmint is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa but has become naturalized in North America. It’s not invasive, but it is very easy to grow and hummingbirds love it. Our plant experts love the dainty lavender blooms on the ‘Cat’s Meow’ variety, which you can get in the Gardening Know How Shop.
Catmint produces small tubular lavender, pink, or white flowers from spring into fall in growing zones 3-8. Not only does it attract hummingbirds, but its mint scent deters deer and rabbits. It makes a wonderful full sun or partial shade hummingbird plant. Once established, catmint is drought tolerant.
6. Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as cardinal flower, is a brilliantly red colored knockout native flower that comes from North America. It thrives in rich, moist soil in full sun to partial shade in warmer regions. You can find cardinal flowers at native plant nurseries or start them from seeds you can get on Amazon.
Grow cardinal flowers in USDA zones 4-9 as a perennial. This type of lobelia can also be grown into zones 2 and 3, although their hardiness is less certain there. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and prevent self-sowing.
There are tons of other options to use in a hummingbird garden—this is just a sampling of our plant experts’ favorites. In general, choose plants with tube-shaped blooms in bright colors to attract hummingbirds. Select native plants that are low maintenance and include flowers with varying bloom times to keep hummers well fed all season.
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