Not everyone has the luxury of having birds visit their garden. But by choosing the right flowers you can easily attract a whole range of birds to whatever space you have.
These 15 fantastic flowers will not only add some beauty to your garden but also attract various bird species for you to enjoy.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are a classic choice for any garden aiming to attract birds. They attract seed eating birds like finches, sparrows and chickadees because of their large sunny faces and the seeds they provide.
Growing Conditions: Sunflowers thrive in full sun and can tolerate a variety of soil types although they do prefer well draining soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly during the growing season, especially in dry periods.
Location Tips: Plant them in a sunny spot that has good air circulation. Don’t overcrowd them either or you run the risk of spreading fungal diseases.
Use this guide to learn how to grow sunflowers or this one to grow giant sunflowers.
Bee Balm
Bee Balm is not only a favorite among bees but also hummingbirds. It’s a very bright and beautiful flower that produces a lot of nectar for birds and insects.
Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Needs rich, well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Location Tips: Perfect for garden borders or wildflower gardens. Space plants to so there is good air circulation.
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flowers have gorgeous red blooms and attracts lots of hummingbirds. They’re great for birds to perch on and feed too.
Growing Conditions: Likes moist, rich soil and partial to full shade.
Watering Needs: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
Location Tips: Perfect for pond edges, rain gardens or shaded borders.
Black Eyed Susan
Black Eyed Susans are not only cheerful and easy to grow but also attract a variety of birds. Goldfinches are especially keen on their seeds.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly during any dry periods.
Location Tips: Ideal for wildflower meadows or mixed borders. Deadhead spent flowers as it will encourage them to bloom more.
Black eyed Susan’s don’t grow together well with everything though. Avoid these plants when planting it.
Columbine
Columbine’s have unique, pretty spurred flowers. They come in many colors so will add beauty to your garden as well as attracting birds. Hummingbirds are especially keen on them.
Growing Conditions: Partial shade and well draining soil.
Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Location Tips: Best planted in woodland gardens or shaded areas of your garden.
Avoid planting any columbine with these plants though, as they don’t work well together.
Coral Bells
Coral Bells have small, bell shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They add a nice amount of color to gardens and their foliage brings some interesting texture as well.
Growing Conditions: Prefers partial shade and rich, well draining soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
Location Tips: Great for borders, rock gardens or as ground cover.
Salvia
Salvia is another favorite of hummingbirds as they love its tubular flowers. It blooms from late spring to fall and gives nectar almost all year round.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Location Tips: Suitable for garden borders or containers. Prune after flowering to encourage more blooms.
Fuchsia
Fuchsias have hanging flowers that look like lanterns. Hummingbirds can’t raisin them. They thrive in cooler, shaded areas.
Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade and well draining, moist soil.
Watering Needs: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Location Tips: Ideal for hanging baskets, containers or shaded garden beds.
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet Vine is a climber that has bright, trumpet shaped flowers that hummingbirds adore. Be careful though as it can become invasive and take over.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly during the growing season.
Location Tips: Perfect for trellises, fences or pergolas. Prune regularly so you keep on top of it’s growth.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush is not just for butterflies. It has cone shaped flowers that have a wonderful scent. They attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water deeply but not too often. You want to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Location Tips: Best for mixed borders or as a stand alone shrub. Deadhead any spent flowers as doing so will encourage more flowering.
When growing buddleia avoid planting it with these plants to guarantee success.
Cosmos
Cosmos are easy to grow annuals that have flowers similar to daisies. They attract a variety of birds and pollinators and their seeds are loved by finches.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly during dry periods.
Location Tips: Ideal for wildflower gardens or cottage gardens. Deadhead flowers so they bloom for longer.
Don’t plant any cosmos with these plants though as they don’t get on.
Hollyhock
Hollyhocks are tall, stately plants with flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and rich, well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly, especially during dry spells.
Location Tips: Perfect for the back of borders or along fences. Stake tall plants to prevent flopping.
To make sure your hollyhock is successful avoid planting it with the these plants.
Milkweed
If you want Monarch butterflies then Milkweed is the flower for you. But they also attract hummingbirds too.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly during the growing season.
Location Tips: Suitable for wildflower gardens or butterfly gardens. Plant in groups for best results.
Petunia
Petunias are popular bedding plants with a variety of colors and come in a lot of different forms. Hummingbirds are especially fond of their tubular flowers.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Location Tips: Ideal for containers, hanging baskets or garden beds. Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
Tip: avoid planting any petunias with these certain plants.
Verbena
Verbena’s small, clustered flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and other pollinators. They bloom from spring to frost and so provide a long lasting supply of nectar.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Water regularly, especially during dry periods.
Location Tips: Great for garden borders, containers or hanging baskets. Cut back after the first flush of flowers to encourage more blooms.
Try to avoid growing verbena with these plants.
As you can see – bringing birds to your garden is easier than you think. With these 15 flowers you can create a colorful, bird friendly environment. One that you and the birds will enjoy.
