Plants that Attract Hummingbirds in Virginia

Virginia's diverse landscape is a kaleidoscope of colors, especially during the blooming season when it hosts a wide range of delightful visitors — the most charismatic being hummingbirds. These tiny, energetic birds are not only a joy to observe but are also excellent pollinators.

This article delves into the heart of plants that attract hummingbirds in Virginia, with a focus on native flora, which forms a symbiotic bond with these iridescent birds, leading to a garden that's vibrant and eco-friendly.

Check out our in-depth guide: Ultimate Guide to Gardening in Virginia.

Our list of plants that attract hummingbirds in Virginia

In the picturesque landscapes of Virginia, nature exhibits a whimsical dance between flora and fauna. Among the most enchanting participants in this dance are hummingbirds, their iridescent feathers darting amid garden blooms. However, to witness this spectacle, you must set the stage right.

Our gardens can become the venue for this dance by hosting a variety of plants that attract hummingbirds in Virginia. These plants offer a visual retreat with their vibrant blooms and provide the essential nectar these tiny winged wonders thrive on.

As you create a haven for hummingbirds, you're also contributing to a balanced and thriving ecosystem in your backyard. Let’s get straight to the list.

Orange butterfly milkweed

Starting off our list of plants that attract hummingbirds in Virginia is the vivacious orange butterfly milkweed. This perennial blooms across multiple seasons, returning each year to grace your garden. Not only does it attract hummingbirds, but it also hosts monarch butterfly caterpillars, creating a lively haven for various wildlife. Its maintenance is a breeze, too, requiring less water once established and no chemicals. Plus, deer tend to steer clear of it once it’s taken root.

Foxglove beardtongue

Next on our list is the elegant foxglove beardtongue, a part of the Monarch Munchables collection. Standing tall between 2 to 5 feet, this perennial blooms from May to July, attracting not only hummingbirds but also a host of beneficial insects. Its graceful presence is a sight to behold in both full sun and partial shade.

Swamp milkweed

The swamp milkweed is pleasing to the eye with its rose-to-deep pink clusters but is also a host plant for monarch caterpillars. This plant stands between 2 to 4 feet tall and blooms from June to October, providing a long season of nectar for hummingbirds.

Black eyed susan

Black eyed susan, a part of the Pollinator Picnic Plant Collections, is another perennial that hums with activity from June to October. Its golden-yellow flowers with a black center are iconic and a surefire way to brighten up your garden while inviting hummingbirds for a visit.

Oxeye sunflower

A sunlit spectacle, the oxeye sunflower, featured in both the Summer Songbird and Firefly Delight 12-Plant Collection, stands tall between 3 to 6 feet, shining brightly from June to September. It's a flexible choice for gardeners, thriving in various soil types and light conditions. The sun-kissed oxeye sunflower is a cheerful addition to any garden and a part of the vibrant array of plants that attract hummingbirds in Virginia. Its bright blooms from June to September create a bustling hub for various pollinators.

Pink azalea

When it comes to heralding spring with a burst of color, pink azalea, also known as pinxterbloom azalea, takes center stage. This deciduous shrub is a showstopper in early spring, with its fragrant flowers making an appearance even before the leaves. Whether nestled in a shrub border or a woodland garden, its blooms provide a sweet nectar treat for hummingbirds.

Rough blazing star

The rough blazing star is a late summer bloomer that keeps your garden buzzing with life even as fall approaches. As it gets covered in fluffy purple blooms from late summer to fall, it becomes a pollinator magnet. This drought-tolerant perennial is a resilient choice for gardeners, ensuring a vibrant garden even as summer wanes.

Swamp azalea shrub

The striking swamp azalea shrub is summer’s fragrant herald. Known for its fragrant, tubular flowers, this deciduous shrub blooms in summer, filling the garden with a sweet, spicy scent. It's not just a sensory delight for you but also a nectar-rich stop for hummingbirds.

Sweet azalea

Whether bought on its own or as a part of our Azalea Shrub Twin Pack along with pink azalea, the sweet azalea is a grand choice. Towering between 8 to 12 feet, it's a majestic sight from May to July. Its blooms are a hub of activity, attracting a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, making your garden a lively and colorful spectacle.

Purple coneflower

Featured in our Purple Pollinator Pleaser 12-Plant Collection, the purple coneflower is a classic choice for a vibrant garden. Growing between 2 to 5 feet high, its large, purple-pink blooms are a banquet for hummingbirds from April to September. It's a sight that promises to lift your spirits every time you step into your garden.

These plants, with their unique charm and characteristics, promise a garden that's not only a visual treat but also a bustling haven for various pollinators including the charming hummingbirds. As you plant these native beauties, you're stepping towards a balanced, eco-friendly garden that resonates with the hum of nature.

Product Focus: Hummingbird Haven Plant Collections

In the quest to bring more hummingbirds into our gardens, we've meticulously curated the Hummingbird Haven Plant Collection. This collection embodies the essence of what it means to have a garden teeming with life, colors, and the gentle hum of wings. It's a spectacular choice that comes with various plants that attract hummingbirds in Virginia.

The Hummingbird Haven collection is a celebration of nature’s harmony, aiming to provide a key hummingbird habitat or, as we like to call it, a “hummingbird welcome mat”. This collection is designed to supply essential food to hummingbirds across three seasons, ensuring a garden that's vibrant and full of life.

Here’s a spotlight on the stars of the Hummingbird Haven Plant Collections:

Cardinal flower

The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a hummingbird's delight with its bright red, tubular flowers. Growing to a height of 2 to 4 feet and spreading about 1 to 2 feet, this plant is a summer to fall bloomer, flourishing from July to October. It thrives in full sun to part shade conditions with moist soil. While it's a magnet for hummingbirds, it also attracts butterflies, caterpillars, and native bees. Plus, it's deer-resistant!

Eastern columbine

Next up is the eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), a spring to early summer bloomer. Standing 1 to 3 feet tall and spreading 1 to 1.5 feet, it adorns the garden with beautiful, unique flowers from March to July. It’s a versatile plant, growing well in part to full shade with moist, well-drained soil. Its charming blooms not only attract hummingbirds but also butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial insects.

Wild bergamot (bee balm)

The wild bergamot, or bee balm as it’s often called (Monarda fistulosa), is another star in this collection. Growing 1 to 4 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 3 feet, it blooms from May to September. Its brightly colored flowers are a beacon for hummingbirds while also attracting a host of other pollinators. It thrives in a range of light conditions and prefers moist, well-drained soil.

Swamp milkweed

The Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a host plant for Monarch butterflies and a crucial part of the Hummingbird Haven collection. Standing 2 to 4 feet tall and spreading 2 to 3 feet, it showcases clusters of pink flowers from June to October. It's adaptable to full sun or part shade and thrives in wet to medium moisture soils. It's a hub of activity, attracting not only hummingbirds but also a variety of butterflies and other beneficial insects.

The Hummingbird Haven Plant Collection isn’t just about beautifying your garden, but creating a thriving ecosystem. With its array of brightly colored, tubular flowers, it’s designed to be a nectar hub for hummingbirds.

Plus, these plants bloom across multiple seasons, return each year, require less water once established, and never need chemicals. It's all about fostering a space where nature’s pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and bees, find refuge and sustenance. This collection is a step towards a garden that resonates with the hum and flutter of nature’s tiny winged wonders right here in Virginia.

Creating a hummingbird-friendly habitat

Creating a hummingbird-friendly habitat goes beyond just planting the right flowers. Ensure a continuous blooming cycle, provide fresh water, and avoid pesticides to create a sanctuary for these winged wonders. If you’d like an in-depth look at creating a garden for hummingbirds, we’ve created our in-depth guide: How to Attract Hummingbirds with Native Plants.

Humming along to a blossoming backyard? Flutter by our collections today!

If you’d like to explore all of the native plants in Virginia that attract hummingbirds, explore our dedicated page.

Embarking on the journey of creating a hummingbird-friendly garden with plants that attract hummingbirds in Virginia is rewarding and a step towards a balanced ecosystem. So, why wait? Let the flutter of tiny wings be the melody that accompanies your garden’s blooming narrative.

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