Plants to Attract Hummingbirds in Florida
Of the 338 known species of hummingbirds that only live throughout the Americas, three can be found in Florida. The most common is the ruby-throated, but the black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds also call Florida home. Florida gardeners will find that red, orange and pink tubular flowers will be most attractive to Florida hummingbirds. Planting a variety of flowering plants that stagger their blooming process throughout the year will guarantee that hummingbirds visit your yard year-round.
Vines
Quite a few varieties of tubular, flowering vines grow statewide. Most of these vines have orange/reddish tubular flowers growing in clumps or as single flowers. Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata) grows throughout the north and central regions of the state, reaching heights of up to 15 feet. The plant has a medium salt tolerance, and its orange, trumpet-like flowers bloom throughout spring. Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), also known as trumpet vine, grows throughout the state, reaching heights of 40 feet. The vine produces red/orange flowers spring through summer and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), also known as coral honeysuckle, grows statewide, reaching heights of 15 feet. It produces a mass of long, red, tubular flowers from spring through summer. The flowers and fruits attract butterflies and various other birds.
- Of the 338 known species of hummingbirds that only live throughout the Americas, three can be found in Florida.
- Florida gardeners will find that red, orange and pink tubular flowers will be most attractive to Florida hummingbirds.
Annuals & Perennials
Florida has many species of annuals and perennials that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Milkweed (Asclepias) grows throughout the state, reaching a height of 5 feet. Depending on the cultivar, yellow/orange/red flowers bloom spring through summer. The plant, also known as butterfly weed, attracts butterflies and other species of birds as well as hummingbirds. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) grows statewide and has a high drought tolerance. Plants can reach 5 feet tall. The purple flowers produced in spring through summer attract birds as well as butterflies. Daylily (Hemerocallis) grows statewide with many different cultivars. Plants reach 3 feet in height and have a high salt tolerance, blooming in summer. Flower colors depend on cultivar and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Florida has many species of annuals and perennials that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Depending on the cultivar, yellow/orange/red flowers bloom spring through summer.
Shrubs
The Florida gardener has a wide variety of flowering shrubs that can add to their landscapes to attract hummingbirds. Bottlebrush (Callistemon) grows statewide as a shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 30 feet. Red flowers bloom spring throughout summer and attract butterflies as well as hummingbirds. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) grows statewide, preferring moist areas. Plants reach 6 to 20 feet tall and produce white, ball-shaped flowers spring through summer. Orange Jessamine (Centrum aurantiacum) grows in South Florida, reaching heights of 10 feet. Plants produce yellow/orange, small tubular flower clusters throughout spring and summer. The flowers attract butterflies, various bird species and hummingbirds.
- The Florida gardener has a wide variety of flowering shrubs that can add to their landscapes to attract hummingbirds.
- Orange Jessamine (Centrum aurantiacum) grows in South Florida, reaching heights of 10 feet.
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Writer Bio
For over 25 years, Joyce Starr has owned businesses dealing with landscape & design, lawn maintenance, specialty herbs and a garden center. She holds certificates in landscape design and xeriscaping. Starr shares her passion for nature in her writing, publishing articles on horticulture, outdoor recreation, travel as well as business.
