Hanging baskets are a fantastic way to add color and interest to your garden, patio, or balcony. Even better, by choosing the right flowers, you can attract hummingbirds to your space, bringing these delightful creatures up close where you can enjoy their beauty and grace. Hummingbirds are drawn to bright, tubular flowers that provide the nectar they crave, making your garden a lively and enchanting place.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to 11 wonderful flowers that are perfect for hanging baskets and irresistible to hummingbirds. Each flower has its unique charm and growing requirements, ensuring that you can find the perfect fit for your garden. Let’s explore these beautiful plants and see how they can transform your hanging baskets into hummingbird havens!
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a popular choice for hanging baskets, and it’s no wonder why! Native to Central and South America, Fuchsias produce delicate, pendulous flowers in a range of colors, including pink, red, purple, and white. These tubular blooms are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, making Fuchsia a fantastic addition to your garden.
One of my favorite things about Fuchsia is its long blooming period, which can extend from spring to fall with proper care. Fuchsias prefer partial shade and well-drained soil, making them perfect for hanging baskets on a shaded porch or patio. Regular watering and feeding will keep them blooming profusely, providing a continuous source of nectar for hummingbirds.
Petunia
Petunias are versatile, colorful flowers that thrive in hanging baskets and attract hummingbirds with their trumpet-shaped blooms. Native to South America, Petunias come in a wide array of colors, from bright reds and pinks to purples and blues. Their prolific blooming and vibrant hues make them a standout choice for any garden.
I enjoy growing Petunias because they are relatively low-maintenance and provide a constant display of color. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring regular watering to keep them looking their best. Deadheading spent flowers encourages more blooms, ensuring your hanging baskets stay lush and attractive to hummingbirds all season long.
Lantana
Lantana is a sun-loving plant native to the tropical regions of the Americas and Africa. Its clusters of small, brightly colored flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Lantana blooms in a range of colors, including yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple, often with multiple colors in a single cluster.
One of the reasons I love Lantana is its drought tolerance and resilience, making it perfect for hot, sunny locations. It thrives in well-drained soil and requires minimal maintenance once established. Lantana’s continuous blooming and vibrant colors make it a fantastic choice for hanging baskets, providing a steady source of nectar for hummingbirds.
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells, is a delightful trailing plant native to South America. It produces small, petunia-like flowers in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, yellow, blue, and white. These abundant blooms attract hummingbirds and add a splash of color to hanging baskets.
I love growing Calibrachoa for its profuse blooming and ease of care. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Regular watering and feeding will keep Calibrachoa blooming from spring to fall, creating a vibrant and enticing display for hummingbirds. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for spilling over the edges of hanging baskets, adding a touch of elegance to your garden.
Impatiens
Impatiens are shade-loving plants native to East Africa and widely grown for their bright, colorful flowers. They come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, orange, white, and purple. Impatiens are particularly suited for hanging baskets in shaded areas, where their cheerful blooms can attract hummingbirds.
One of my favorite things about Impatiens is their ability to bloom continuously from spring to fall with minimal care. They prefer well-drained, moist soil and thrive in partial to full shade. Regular watering and feeding will keep them looking lush and vibrant. Impatiens are perfect for adding a splash of color to shaded porches and patios, creating a welcoming environment for hummingbirds.
Begonia
Begonias are versatile and attractive flowers that come in many varieties, including tuberous, fibrous, and rhizomatous types. Native to tropical and subtropical regions, Begonias produce vibrant blooms in shades of red, pink, orange, and white. Their bright, tubular flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds.
I enjoy growing Begonias because of their adaptability to both sun and shade. They prefer well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Tuberous Begonias, in particular, are excellent for hanging baskets due to their cascading habit and large, showy flowers. Begonias provide continuous blooms throughout the growing season, making them a reliable and beautiful choice for attracting hummingbirds.
Verbena
Verbena is a sun-loving plant native to the Americas and Europe, known for its clusters of small, brightly colored flowers. These blooms come in shades of red, pink, purple, white, and blue, and are highly attractive to hummingbirds. Verbena’s trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, where it can spill over the edges and create a lush display.
One of the reasons I love Verbena is its drought tolerance and long blooming period. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal maintenance once established. Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color. Verbena’s vibrant flowers and ease of care make it an excellent choice for adding a touch of beauty and attracting hummingbirds to your garden.
Cuphea
Cuphea, commonly known as Cigar Plant or Firecracker Plant, is a tropical perennial native to Mexico and Central America. It produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, and purple, resembling tiny cigars or firecrackers. These unique blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
I love growing Cuphea for its vibrant and unusual flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Cuphea is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate periods of drought, making it a great choice for busy gardeners. Its continuous blooming and striking flowers make Cuphea a standout addition to hanging baskets, providing a steady source of nectar for hummingbirds.
Lobelia
Lobelia is a charming annual native to North America, known for its masses of small, tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink. These blooms are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and can create a carpet of color in hanging baskets.
I enjoy growing Lobelia for its prolific blooming and vibrant colors. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Regular watering is essential to keep Lobelia looking its best, especially during hot weather. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, where it can spill over the edges and create a stunning display. Lobelia’s continuous blooms and ease of care make it a fantastic choice for attracting hummingbirds.
Salvia
Salvia is a diverse genus of plants native to Central and South America, known for their vibrant, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. Salvia blooms come in shades of red, blue, purple, and pink, providing a striking display in hanging baskets.
One of the reasons I love Salvia is its drought tolerance and long blooming period. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal maintenance once established. Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms, ensuring a continuous display of color. Salvia’s vibrant flowers and ease of care make it an excellent choice for adding a touch of beauty and attracting hummingbirds to your garden.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is a cheerful annual native to South America, known for its bright, peppery-scented flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and cream. These vibrant blooms are not only attractive to hummingbirds but also edible, adding a spicy kick to salads and garnishes.
I love growing Nasturtiums for their vibrant colors and ease of care. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Nasturtiums are also drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soil conditions, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Their trailing habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets, where they can cascade over the edges and create a stunning display. Nasturtiums’ cheerful flowers and versatility make them a fantastic choice for attracting hummingbirds and adding color to your garden.
