Plants To Attract Hummingbirds
The plants listed below are among the Hummingbird’s favourites. While reds dominate the list, plenty of other colours are suggested for varied planting. The most important aspect of designing a Hummingbird garden is to plant for continuous bloom from spring to fall, ensuring an endless supply of nectar.
Flowers
| PLANT | COLOUR(S) | BLOOM TIME |
| Bee Balm | red, pink | Jul-Aug |
| Bleeding Heart | rose | May-June |
| Cardinal Flower | red | Jul-Aug |
| Columbine | red, pink, yellow | May-Jun |
| Coralbells | red, pink | Jun-Sep |
| Dahlia | many colours | Jul-Frost |
| Delphinium | red, blue, pink | Jul-Frost |
| Foxglove | red, purple, rose | Jun-Jul |
| Fuschia | red | Jul-Aug |
| Gladiolus | many colours | Jul-Sep |
| Nasturtium | scarlet, orange | Jun-Frost |
| Petunias | many colours | Jun-Frost |
| Phlox | many colours | Jul-Frost |
| Red Hot Poker | red, yellow | Jul-Aug |
| Snapdragon | red, pink, white | Jun |
| Sweet William | red, maroon, rose | May-Jun |
| Zinnias | many colours | Jul-Frost |
Vines
| PLANT | COLOUR(S) | BLOOM TIME |
| Honeysuckle | red, yellow | Jun-Frost |
| Morning Glory | red | Jul-Frost |
| Scarlet Runner Bean | red | Jul-Frost |
| Trumpet Vine | orange, yellow | Jul-Sep |
Shrubs
| PLANT | COLOUR(S) | BLOOM TIME |
| Azaleas | red, pink, white | May-Jun |
| Beauty Bush | pink | May-Jun |
| Butterfly Bush | purple, pink | Jul-Frost |
| Flowering Quince | red | Apr-May |
| Rose of Sharon | red, blue, pink | Jul-Sep |
| Weigela | red, pink | May-Jul |
Trees
| PLANT | COLOUR(S) | BLOOM TIME |
| Horse Chestnut | white, yellow | May |
| Black Locust | white | May |
| Flowering Crabs | red, rose, pink, white | Apr-May |
*Want to learn more about a plant you see above? Check out our PLANT FINDER TOOL >>> CLICK HERE
**Please note that the plants listed may not reflect our current inventory. For up-to-date availability, kindly call the garden centre.
Fun Facts About Hummingbirds
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird that breeds in Ontario. Males are easily recognizable by their brilliant red throat patch, known as a gorget, which can appear black in poor lighting. - Incredible Flight Skills
Hummingbirds are known for their exceptional flying abilities. They can hover in place, fly backwards, and even upside down! Their wings beat incredibly fast, at about 50 times per second. - Long Migration Journey
Despite their tiny size, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds embark on a remarkable migration journey. They travel up to 3,000 kilometres from their breeding grounds in Ontario to wintering sites in Central America, often crossing the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight! - High Metabolism
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any bird species, necessitating frequent feeding. They consume roughly half their body weight in nectar daily and eat small insects and spiders for protein. - Colour Perception
Hummingbirds can see a broader range of colours than humans, including ultraviolet light. This enhanced vision helps them locate flowers rich in nectar and distinguish different plant species. - Remarkable Tongue Length
Hummingbirds have incredibly long tongues, typically extending about twice the length of their beaks. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s tongues can reach approximately 15-20 millimetres (about 0.6-0.8 inches) in length. This specialized tongue allows them to extract nectar from flowers efficiently, making them excellent pollinators. The tongue is also uniquely adapted with grooves that help them lap up nectar rapidly, up to 13 licks per second!
These fascinating birds add a vibrant touch to Ontario’s natural beauty, captivating anyone who has the pleasure of spotting them in their garden!
