8 May-Blooming Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

hummingbird flying in pink flowers — Credit:
Marcia Straub / Getty Images

As gardens burst into color in May, hummingbirds start their search for nectar-rich blooms. These winged pollinators are especially drawn to brightly colored, tubular flowers that their slender beaks can easily access. If you want to attract more hummingbirds to your garden this spring, start by choosing the right plants. Ahead, we're sharing the May-blooming plants that our experts say are hummingbird magnets.

Rebekah Rylander, science coordinator for the Rio Grande Joint Venture at American Bird Conservancy
Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy at the National Wildlife Federation

01 of 08

Salvia

Savlia (Salvia spp.) is a group of flowering plants beloved by hummingbirds for their two-lipped, often conical-shaped flowers that provide nectar and insects. "Many varieties of salvia are red or pink, two colors that hummingbirds are hard-pressed not to come investigate," says Rebekah Rylander, Science Coordinator for the Rio Grande Joint Venture at American Bird Conservancy.

02 of 08

Trumpet Creeper

A native vine that produces numerous conical blooms, trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) looks beautiful trailing along fence lines and throughout gardens. It provides endless nectar-filled meals for migrating or breeding hummingbirds throughout spring and summer, says Rylander. "These sturdy vines can also provide shelter and shade for other birds and wildlife, too," she adds.

03 of 08

Lantana

Lantana (Lantana spp.) is a stunner in the garden, blooming from spring through the last frost. "Though these flowers do not produce as much nectar as others based on their relatively flat shape, the flashy red, orange, and yellow blooms of the lantana attract numerous insects that hummingbirds eat as a source of protein," says Rylander.

Lupine

Lupine flowers (Lupinus) are pure heaven for hummingbirds. "The complex raceme flower structure of a lupine provides dozens of individual blossoms per stem, offering ample nectar and tiny insects for hummingbirds to feast on," says Rylander. "Though most varieties of native lupines come in blues and purples, hummingbirds are still attracted to the buffet that this plant provides."

05 of 08

Eastern Columbine

Eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) blooms from March through July, filling the garden with its colorful blooms. "Eastern columbine is especially attractive to hummingbirds because of its bright red and yellow nodding flowers, which are naturally adapted for their long beaks," says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy at the National Wildlife Federation.

06 of 08

Coral Honeysuckle

A native alternative to invasive honeysuckles, coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is one of the best flowers to plant in your garden for more pollinators. "Coral honeysuckle is a favorite of hummingbirds because of its clusters of elongated, trumpet-shaped red flowers that are rich in nectar and perfectly suited to hummingbird beaks," says Phillips. "Its extended bloom period provides a reliable food source through spring and summer, during migration and nesting season."

07 of 08

Beardtongue

Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) produces purple, pink, or white tubular blooms that provide an essential nectar source for pollinators throughout late spring and early summer. "Its upright flower spikes create an easily accessible feeding structure for hummingbirds," Phillips says.

08 of 08

Bradbury's Beebalm

Hummingbird feeding on Bee-balm flowers. — BirdImages / Getty Images

Bradbury's beebalm (Monarda bradburiana) attracts hummingbirds to the landscape with its distinctive crown-shaped blooms made up of dozens of lavender and white spotted tubular flowers, says Phillips. These plants create a nectar-rich feeding source in one area of the garden. "The bright, shaggy flowers stand high above the foliage, making them easy for hummingbirds to spot in early summer," she adds.