We’ve been thinking about how to make our yard more hummingbird-friendly, so I looked into flowers they love. Love hiw much wildlife we have help cultivate around us so far. We joke that we are turning into a wildlife preserve 😂🤣🦅
Turns out, it’s really about mixing plants that bloom across the seasons—plus, it just makes the garden look better too.
Heres a little but of broken out research and my favorite article on it:
Top Flower Picks (Grouped for Ease) from Chat GPT for anyone else interested around the 6b/7a region of the U.S. :
🌱 Perennials (Come back every year):
• Trumpet Honeysuckle – Red, tubular, native variety only!
• Columbine – Blooms early, loves part shade.
• Hosta – Mid-summer blooms; for shady spots.
• Bee Balm (Monarda) – Big, fringy flowers in red/purple.
• Cardinal Flower – Bright red, thrives in sun/part sun.
• Foxglove – Tall spikes, perfect for cottage gardens.
• Daylily – Multiple blooms per stem, super tough.
• Bleeding Heart – Delicate, shade-loving nectar source.
• Catmint & Delphinium – Purple & blue blooms, pollinator favorites.
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🌼 Annuals (Plant each year but major bloomers):
• Cuphea (Firecracker plant) – Red/orange, loves the heat.
• Fuchsia – Hummingbird hanging basket special.
• Torenia (Wishbone Flower) – Snap-dragon style, spring-to-fall nectar.
• Petunia & Zinnia – Bright, reliable, loved by hummers & butterflies.
• Sunflower – Nectar late in the season when other flowers fade.
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🌳 Shrubs & Bushes:
• Rose of Sharon – Late-season nectar source.
• Lantana – Drought-tolerant color bomb.
• Butterfly Bush – Use non-invasive types; still good for hummers.
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Pro Tips:
• Mix bloom times → Spring to Fall coverage = hummingbird heaven.
• Plant in clusters so birds can find the flowers easily.
• Add water sources like misters—hummers love those too.
• Prefer native species when possible (better for local ecosystems).
• Skip invasive plants like Japanese honeysuckle.
#gardenstr #grownostr #wildlife #wildlifepreserve 🤣
