These shrubs all have amazing flowers that not only look fantastic but attract hummingbirds again and again.
Seeing your plants flourish under your green thumb is only a fraction of the pleasure of gardening. Hummingbirds come to visit your yard when it’s time for them to do so.
There are a surprising number of shrubs that will not only attract hummingbirds but can provide year-round interest to your backyard. Hummingbirds prefer red and purple nectar-rich flowers.
Shrubs or bushes are small to medium-sized plants with numerous stems above ground all year and grow no higher than 10 meters tall. Since they produce gorgeous flowers, some of which have fragrances, and attract hummingbirds and butterflies, they are ideal for growing in your yard.
Depending on the variety you choose, shrubs may lose their leaves in the winter and keep them all year. Some of the plants prefer full sun, while others prefer shady areas.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a shrub or bush to bring more hummers to your yard, there’s one for every planting need.
9 Shrubs to Attract Hummingbirds:
1. Rhododendron
The heather family, Ericaceae, includes a large group of woody plants known as Rhododendrons. Rhododendrons come in a variety of sizes, from tiny plants to huge trees. Since most hardy plants lose their leaves or succumb to the frost, evergreen shrubs are often employed in beautiful landscaping. Flowers are also vibrant and gorgeous.
Rhododendrons and azaleas, their closest relatives, are easily distinguished. Azaleas have one funnel-shaped bloom with five stamens per stem, whereas most rhododendrons have bell-shaped blooms with ten stamens. Since there are many stems to a shrub, the difference between rhododendrons and azaleas is difficult to discern.
It is possible to plant and grow rhododendrons of all sorts all year long, particularly in mild climates, since they come in a variety of shapes. If you reside in a place with chilly temperatures, however, early spring planting is your finest option.
Early fall is the ideal season for hotter weather. Rhododendrons prefer environments that are neither too hot nor too cold. When you plant them, you must give them enough time to adjust to the weather.
In colder areas (Zones 4-6) you may allow rhododendrons to get 6 hours of full sun, whereas in hotter areas (Zones 7-11), you should give them plenty of shade. Make sure the roots are not waterlogged by making sure they have well-irrigated soil.
Rhododendrons attract hummingbirds because they come in a variety of hues, including pink, purple, red, white, and yellow.
- Growing Zones: 4 – 11
- Sun: Partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, Acidic
- Colors: Pink, Purple, Red, White, and Yellow
- Height: 18 inches to 50 feet
- Spread: 2 – 3 feet
- Plant type: Trees, Shrubs, Vine
2. Hibiscus
There are hundreds of varieties of Hibiscus plants, both perennials and evergreens, from the mallow family, Malvaceae. Hibiscus coccineus, for example, may grow in Zones 6 to 9, whereas Hibiscus rosa-sinensis may grow year-round in Zones 9 and 10.
Large, trumpet-like blooms in hibiscus plants may be red, yellow, pink, orange, or white in color. There could be five or more petals total. Only one to three days after single-bloom types bloom, they wilt. Several tropical hibiscus species may blossom multiple times throughout the season.
The majority of Hibiscus plants bloom between mid- to late-spring or mid- to late-summer, depending on the area. Others have been known to bloom until autumn, but that may only be feasible if the environment is warm.
Make sure your hibiscus plants get up to 6 hours of full sunlight every day if you want them to bloom. The weather determines how often you should water your hibiscus. Give it water every day if it’s too hot. As long as the soil is moist, a couple of times a week should suffice. Make sure to keep the plant indoors because they don’t really tolerate cold weather. If it gets too chilly, wait until the soil is dry before watering.
When Hibiscus plants are in full bloom, they produce a spectacle that is difficult to miss, and hummingbirds are obvious why. Hummingbirds will definitely visit your yard if you look after your hibiscus.
- Growing Zones: 6 – 10
- Sun: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained,
- Colors: Red, Yellow, Pink, Orange, and White
- Height: 3 – 8 feet
- Spread: 3 – 5 feet
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
3. Native Buddleia
A group of almost 140 species of flowering plants is called Buddleia. Because butterflies flock to them because of their nectar and honey-scented flowers, they are more commonly referred to as “butterfly bushes.”
Buddleia davidii, which comes from China, is the most popular Buddleia variety. Unfortunately, since it spreads its seeds and may grow freely in natural areas, this species has been designated an invasive species in most US states. They’ve been labeled as a harmful weed because they tend to overrun indigenous flora. Purple davidii is a variation to avoid.
Yet, Buddleia types that just grow to 8 or 10 feet are available for you to cultivate in your pot or in your garden. Rio Grande Butterfly Bush (Buddleia sessiliflora), Wand Butterfly Bush (Buddleia racemosa), Escobilla Butterfly Bush (Buddleia scordioides), and Fountain Butterfly Bush (Buddleja alternifolia) are all sterile and native varieties that you can grow.
To help Buddleia plants produce more flowers, keep them in full sunlight. They can tolerate drought and require little watering. During a lengthy dry spell, just make sure they’re kept moist.
Hummingbirds are drawn to them, despite their name, but they favor the red and purple types of Buddleia.
- Growing Zones: 5 – 10
- Sun: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Colors: Pink, Purple, Red, White, and Yellow
- Height: 4 to 10 feet
- Spread: up to 5 feet
- Plant type: Perennials, Evergreen
4. Abelia
The honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, includes 30 species and hybrids that originated in Abelia.
Berberis are 6-meter-tall and 3-meter-wide abelia plants that may grow up to 6 meters tall. Evergreen Abelia species thrive in warm conditions, while deciduous Abelia species thrive in colder climates and lose their leaves during the winter.
When you observe the delicate, trumpet-like blooms, generally pink and white with tones of lavender, you’ll know that you’re looking at abelia shrubs. Their leaves, which change from greenish yellow (spring) to gold (summer) and red (fall) as the seasons change, are likewise striking.
Because abelia plants need little care, it’s easy to grow them. Prune them to encourage new shoots to grow and give them plenty of sunlight in an area where they’ll get enough sunlight. Water them just enough to keep the soil moist.
Because they bloom from spring to fall in warm climates, abelia leaves and flowers can be enjoyed for a long time. Hummingbirds and butterflies will be drawn to the bell-shaped flowers and their aromatic fragrance during this time, so expect to see a lot of them.
- Growing Zones: 6 – 9
- Sun: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Colors: Pink and White
- Height: 3 – 6 feet
- Spread: 3 – 6 feet
- Plant type: Evergreen, Deciduous Shrub
5. Azalea
Azaleas are a genus of deciduous azaleas that drop all of their leaves in the fall and regenerate in the spring. North America has 16 native species. White to pink, with yellow to orange as the most common blooms, they bloom in a variety of colors.
The Rhododendron family includes azaleas, which are flowering plants. The number of stamens is one method to differentiate them from rhododendrons. Rhododendrons have a total of ten stamens, whereas azaleas have five. Rhododendrons also have massive, stunning evergreen foliage, while azaleas have smaller and thinner leaves.
The majority of Asian azaleas are evergreen. No yellow azaleas are among the colors, which range from white to purple to red. They do lose some of their leaves in the autumn, despite the fact that they are referred to as evergreen. The leaves that fall in the autumn are generally thinner and bigger, and they include spring. Summer leaves are denser and smaller than winter leaves, but they do not fall.
Most azaleas bloom in the spring, between April and May, and then again between June and September. In acidic, loamy, or well-drained soil (4.5–6.0 ph), azaleas flourish. Revive azaleas that have drooped due to too much sun or exposure to winds by watering them slowly if they exhibit symptoms of drooping.
Hummingbirds are drawn to the floral fragrance of azalea blossoms. The delight that will bring hummingbirds back to your property is their nectar.
- Growing Zones: 7 – 9
- Sun: Filtered sunlight, partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, acidic
- Colors: Pink, Lavender, yellow-orange, and white
- Height: as high as 10 feet
- Spread:3 – 5 feet
- Plant type: Evergreen, Deciduous shrubs
6. Weigela
The Caprifoliaceae family, which includes 6 to 38 species of deciduous bushes from Eastern Asia, belongs to the Weigela genus. Its hardiness in most areas of the United States, low-maintenance care, and guaranteed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies make it a popular decorative shrub.
The leaves of weigela are one of the reasons it is so attractive. They come in a variety of colors, from green to gold and rich red, with some having variegated leaves (or leaves with patterns or a mix of colors). Others have a lustrous finish.
Its flowers, of course, are lovely to see. They come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, yellow, and even lavender. They’re tubular and have 5 petals. They bloom in the fall, when they are planted in full sun, from mid- to late-spring. Since they can burn when it’s too hot, some variegated cultivars are more suited for partial shade.
Leave plenty of space for weigela to expand when you’re planting it. Pruning is sometimes required to maintain the form of your shrub and remove older dead branches. To get the best flowers, keep the soil moist and exposed to at least 6 hours of sun.
- Growing Zones: 4 – 8
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, moderately acidic soil
- Colors: red, pink, white, yellow, and lavender
- Height: 3 – 10 feet tall
- Spread: up to 12 feet
- Plant Type: Deciduous
7. Cape Myrtle
The Lythraceae family includes the genus Crase Myrtle (also known as crepe myrtle) and the Latin name is Lagerstroemia. They are deciduous and evergreen trees from India, Asia, and Australia that were originally introduced to the region. Because of the crepe-like texture of their flower petals, they’re sometimes referred to as crepe myrtle.
Because of their brilliant, huge blooms, peeling bark in the winter, and foliage that changes color in the fall, these Crape Myrtle trees or shrubs are fantastic additions to yards. From single-stemmed trees to multi-stemmed trees, little shrubs, and even dwarf trees as small as 2 to 5 feet tall, there are several options to choose from.
It’s recommended to plant them in the autumn or early spring, when their roots are properly adjusted before the harshness of winter or the intensity of summer. To promote huge, full blooms, they need at least six hours of full sun. In the middle of May and early June, they bloom.
It is critical that you prune your Crape Myrtle tree carefully to ensure that it blooms abundantly. Remove crossing branches, short twigs, and branches that grow toward the center to allow the new plants room to grow. Except for the removal of dead and aged branches, shrubs in general do not need pruning.
Hummingbirds and butterflies adore hanging around Crape Myrtles because of their vivid blooms and various height range.
- Growing Zones: 7 – 10
- Sun: Full sun
- Soil: Moist soil
- Colors: dark purple, dark red, bright pink, magenta, and white
- Height: trees 15 – 20 feet, shrubs 5 – 7 feet
- Spread:trees 15 – 20 feet, shrubs 5 – 7 feet
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrubs or trees
8. Summersweet
Hummingbirds are drawn to your yard by the beautiful flowers of summersweet, a blooming shrub.
The coastal sweet pepperbush, or Summersweet, is known scientifically as Clethra alnifolia. It’s a native of eastern North America and comes from the Clethraceae family. It grows best in wetlands and pond and stream borders, but it can grow in most environments.
Vertical spikes of spicy-smelling white blooms contrast with dark green foliage to create Summersweet. In the fall, their leaves turn yellow or gold. The brown seed capsules, which resemble peppercorns when dropped after the flowers have bloomed, are what gave them their name “pepper.”
These flowers thrive in damp to wet soil and in the shade because they are coastal flowers to begin with. In reality, flowers exposed to too much sunlight bloom smaller than those in the shade. It’s best to keep them well-hydrated when the weather gets too dry. Because they are originally from that region, they can even tolerate salty air.
Summersweet can spread rather widely when you plant them, so provide them with plenty of space. To encourage new growth and redefine the form of your Summersweet shrub, maintain the moisture of the soil in spring and trim dead branches.
- Growing Zones: 3 – 9
- Sun: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moist to wet soil, slightly acidic
- Colors: white, pink, or rose-colored
- Height: 4 – 8 feet tall
- Spread: 4 – 6 feet wide
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
9. Viburnum
With approximately 150 species of flowering plants, Viburnum is now a member of the Adoxaceae family. The honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, used to be classified as a part of it. Some varieties are evergreens from the tropical areas of Southeast Asia, while deciduous shrubs and trees are native to temperate North America.
Viburnum flowers feature a range of nectar-rich shapely blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Some of the scents, like Cayuga and Burkwood, are quite alluring, so you’ll love them. Leaf colors, such as purplish-red or blue-green, are also quite stunning. Lastly, red, pink, purple, blue, and black are among the vibrant colors of their berries.
Viburnum blooms from early spring until late summer for the most cultivars. Several, such as the Bodnant Viburnum, bloom in winter. Get ready for the showroom of beautifully-colored fruits and stunning autumn leaves after these flowers bloom.
The best flowers, abundant fruits, and fall foliage will be ensured by growing most viburnums with a fill of sunlight for around 6 hours. Certain types of plants will do well in part shade as well. They all prefer well-draining soil and a bit of pruning after flowering to remove old, dead, and broken branches, though they may vary in sunlight requirements.
Viburnums have fragrance, colorful blooms, foliage, and even eye-catching fruits. They are a fantastic addition to your yard. Your viburnums will undoubtedly draw in hummingbirds.
- Growing Zones: 2 – 9
- Sun: Full sun, Partial sun
- Soil: Moist but well-drained soil
- Colors: white, pink
- Height: 3 – 8 feet, 8 – 20 feet
- Spread: 3 to 12 feet wide, depending on the type
- Plant type: Evergreen, Deciduous shrub