A garden feels a little more alive once hummingbirds start stopping by. They zip from flower to flower, hover for a few seconds, and disappear before you can get a good look.

Planting nectar-rich flowers is one of the easiest ways to make your yard more inviting to them. Bright, tubular blooms are especially useful, and choosing flowers that bloom at different times can keep your garden attractive to hummingbirds from spring through fall.

Petunia

Petunias produce plenty of trumpet-shaped blooms that hummingbirds can easily feed from. They grow well in containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds, with bright pink, purple, red, and other colors to choose from.

Echinacea (Coneflower)

Echinacea is a hardy perennial that does well in sunny gardens and attracts a variety of pollinators. Its large flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and can bloom through much of the summer.

Catmint

Catmint produces clusters of lavender-blue flowers that hummingbirds often visit for nectar. It also handles dry conditions well and can keep flowering with little fuss once established.

Delphinium

Delphiniums produce tall spikes covered in blue, purple, pink, or white flowers that stand out in the garden. Plant them in a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil for the best flowering.

Lavender

Lavender’s purple flower spikes provide nectar for hummingbirds while also attracting bees and butterflies. Give it plenty of sun and well-drained soil, and it can handle fairly dry conditions once established.

Daylily (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies produce trumpet-shaped flowers that give hummingbirds easy access to nectar. Each flower lasts for about a day, but established plants keep producing new blooms throughout the season.

Agastache (Hyssop)

Agastache produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in shades such as purple, pink, orange, and red. It grows best in sunny, well-drained areas and can attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the warmer months.

Bee Balm

Bee balm is a popular hummingbird flower, with red, pink, purple, or white blooms that provide plenty of nectar. It spreads readily, so give it enough room and keep good air circulation around the plants.

Penstemon

Penstemon has tubular flowers that are well suited to hummingbirds, with red varieties being especially eye-catching. Most types prefer sunny locations with well-drained soil and can bloom for much of the growing season.

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans bring bright yellow flowers to the garden and can attract hummingbirds along with bees and butterflies. Their long blooming period makes them a useful choice for pollinator-friendly flower beds.

Blazing Star (Liatris)

Blazing star produces tall spikes of purple flowers that provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. It grows best in sunny spots with well-drained soil and adds height to flower beds.