A perennial plant lives for more than two years, regrowing from its roots or crown after colder seasons. Hummingbirds are specialized pollinators with high metabolic rates, requiring frequent feeding on high-energy nectar. Selecting perennial species that offer rich rewards and attractive visual cues is an effective way to transform a garden into a consistent feeding ground for these birds.
How Hummingbirds Select Nectar Sources
Hummingbirds are primarily drawn to flowers through visual cues, as their sense of smell is undeveloped compared to insects. They strongly prefer colors in the warm spectrum, such as red, orange, and deep pink. This color association is a learned behavior that helps them quickly identify high-reward flowers that other insects often overlook.
The physical structure of the bloom is equally important. Hummingbirds have long, slender bills and tongues adapted to probing deep into tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers. This shape effectively excludes larger insects like bees, reserving the nectar for the bird pollinator. The third factor is the quality of the reward, specifically the nectar’s sugar concentration, which typically ranges between 20% and 25%.
Perennial Selections for Full Sun
For garden areas receiving six or more hours of direct sunlight daily, several perennials offer abundant, season-long nectar. These plants flourish in the sun’s intensity, producing a greater quantity of blooms and often a higher sugar content in their nectar. Planting these sun-loving perennials in large groups makes them highly visible targets for hummingbirds.
Agastache (Hummingbird Mint)
Agastache, or Hummingbird Mint, grows in an upright, spiky habit. Cultivars typically reach 2 to 4 feet, providing continuous blooms from early summer until the first frost. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and its aromatic foliage naturally deters deer and rabbits.
Salvia microphylla (Littleleaf Sage)
Salvia microphylla, or Littleleaf Sage, is a semi-evergreen perennial prized for its long blooming season. It can reach 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, flowering heavily in late spring and reblooming strongly in the fall. The tubular flowers, often pink, red, or magenta, are perfectly sized for the birds’ bills.
Monarda didyma (Bee Balm)
Monarda didyma, or Bee Balm, is a native perennial providing a mid-season nectar feast. It produces bright red, shaggy flower heads from late spring to mid-summer, typically growing 2 to 4 feet tall. Bee Balm requires full sun and consistently moist, well-drained soil to prevent powdery mildew. Its dense terminal flower clusters offer numerous individual tubular flowers.
Perennial Choices for Partial Shade
Gardens receiving partial shade (two to six hours of sun) can still provide nectar-rich plants. These shade-tolerant perennials are essential for filling the understory and edges of woodland gardens where hummingbirds seek shelter. The selected species must adapt well to lower light levels while maintaining the necessary floral characteristics.
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern Red Columbine)
Eastern Red Columbine is one of the earliest food sources available, blooming in late spring and early summer. This perennial grows 1 to 3 feet tall and thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, often self-seeding. Its distinctive spurred flowers contain nectar accessible only to long-tongued pollinators.
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Cardinal Flower produces brilliant red flower spikes from mid-summer into the fall. These tall, upright perennials reach heights of 3 to 6 feet, providing a striking vertical element and a late-season nectar source. While it tolerates full sun, it performs best when protected from afternoon heat and requires consistently moist to wet soil.
Heuchera sanguinea (Coral Bells)
Coral Bells is a shorter perennial whose flowers attract hummingbirds. Delicate, bell-shaped blooms are borne on slender stalks that rise 1 to 2 feet above the foliage from late spring through early summer. While many cultivars are grown for colorful foliage, the species sanguinea is known for its deep pink to red flowers, which provide accessible nectar in partial shade.
Maximizing Perennial Blooms and Nectar Production
Once perennials are selected, garden management techniques ensure a continuous and abundant nectar supply. Deadheading, which involves removing spent flower heads before the plant sets seed, is highly effective. This redirects the plant’s energy into creating new flowers, often extending the bloom season significantly for plants like Agastache and Heuchera.
Proper soil health and nutrient management maximize floral output and nectar quality. Avoid over-fertilizing with high-nitrogen formulas, as nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of flower production. Incorporating organic compost supports a steady, moderate release of nutrients conducive to robust flowering.
Consistent moisture is important for perennials like Bee Balm and Cardinal Flower, which thrive in moist environments. Supplemental water during dry periods sustains the plant’s metabolic processes, ensuring continued production of nectar-rich blooms. Finally, avoiding systemic pesticides is paramount, as these chemicals can contaminate the nectar and the small insects hummingbirds rely on for protein.