Hummingbirds have been drawn to flowers since the beginning of time. They have a symbiotic relationship; flowers produce nectar on which hummingbirds feed, and hummingbirds inadvertently help flowers pollinate as they fly amongst them to feed. Hummingbirds typically choose flowers with a shape that doesn’t pose as an obstacle to their whirling wings.
Florida is home to many hummingbird-friendly plants; we’ve compiled a list of 12 plants that attract these tiny birds.
1. False Indigo Bush
The false indigo bush is a densely wooded shrub with fern-like foliage. In the spring and summer, this plant grows thickets of dark purple spiky flowers that are popular among hummingbirds.
2. Crossvine
Crossvine is a perennial evergreen vine that produces 2 – 3 inch cone-like flowers in shades of brilliant red and orange flowers in the spring. Under the right conditions, it can live up to 50 years.
3. Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed thrives in full or partial sun and can be planted in almost any type of soil. It won’t bloom until it’s established, but when it does, it actively blooms from the spring until the fall. It produces bright orange, red, and yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
4. Trumpet Creeper
Trumpet creepers are woody, flowering vines that produce colorful trumpet-shaped flowers that can be up to 3 ½ inches long. This plant thrives in hot, humid climates like Florida’s and actively blooms in the spring and summer.
5. Coral Honeysuckle
This can be grown as a shrub or as groundcover. Its dark green leaves create clusters of red and coral-colored tubular flowers. Coral honeysuckle actively blooms in the spring and summer and attracts hummingbirds from late summer until the fall.
6. Spotted Beebalm
The spotted beebalm, or horsemint plant, is an herbaceous perennial with light green foliage. This plant grows tall and its oblong leaves help fill up empty places in flowerbeds. Its leaves and tiny flowers release a pleasant scent that attracts hummingbirds and people alike.
7. Pitcher Sage
Pitcher sage, sometimes known as azure blue sage, is a deciduous perennial wildflower found in Florida’s forests and sandy locations. This plant has vivid blue flowers that bloom from August until November and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
8. Florida Flame Azalea
The Florida flame azalea grows well in wooded areas. It’s low maintenance once established. This plant can appear to be dormant for most of the year, but it springs to life in the spring when it produces fragrant, fiery orange and red flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. The Florida flame azalea can be planted in a garden or in a planter.
9. Firebush
Firebush shrubs bloom in late spring. It produces black berries and cylinder-shaped yellow-orange flowers until the first freeze. They make excellent border and backdrop shrubs when included in landscaping; they also grow well as patio plants.
10. Carolina Jessamine
Carolina jessamine is a robust twining vine that produces bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers from late winter to early spring.
11. Coralbean
Coralbean is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It produces red cone-shaped flowers on long stalks during the spring. This plant thrives in Florida’s climate and attracts lots of hummingbirds.
12. Lantana
Lantana plants thrive in full sun and are drought and heat tolerant. Lantana can form dense thickets in natural areas and produce several red, yellow, white, orange, purple, pink, or multi-colored flowers all summer. This plant can grow in flowerbeds with other sun-loving plants or in planters. Where ever they are planted, they are sure to attract hummingbirds.
