The humble hummingbird has always been a pollinator favorite among gardeners, but lately it’s been attracting more (and new) buzz. Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter at Monrovia, tells us she’s been seeing increased interest in drawing hummingbirds to the garden. “I’ve heard it called the next glamour animal—the one they most want to take a photo of, the one that stops them in their tracks when they encounter it in the garden,” she shares.

Most devoted hummingbird lovers know that these tiny winged creatures especially love bright, tubular or vase-shaped flowers. “The specific shape of these blooms can accommodate the long bills of the hummingbirds, making it easier for them to gather nectar,” says Katie. Another tip: Plant these plants en masse to create a concentrated nectar source: “Their incredibly high metabolism calls for lots of nectar, and they can get it more easily by visiting a mass of flowering plants in one area.” You may also want to consider staggering blooms times for a longer feeding season.

“But nectar isn’t the only thing that keeps hummingbirds happy,” says Katie. “They’re also always feasting on small insects, a lesser known but essential part of the hummingbird diet. Encouraging insects by not spraying pesticides in the garden and growing a diverse selection of plants is important.”

Ultimately, of course, there’s no surefire way to lure hummingbirds to your yard. To up your chance of a sighting, Katie suggests mixing appropriate cultivars, like those listed below, with natives in the garden “to create an insect-rich environment that offers more and longer blooms than natives alone.” Add a hummingbird feeder if you want, but it’s not a must: “We used to have one that seemed like the squirrels were also feasting on, so we got rid of it. And we still see a lot of hummingbirds visit our yard.”

Below, Katie’s picks for cultivars beloved by hummingbirds.

Featured image above by BudOhio via Flickr.

Photography below courtesy of Monrovia.

‘Stoplights’ Red Yucca

‘Stoplights’ is a no-brainer when it comes to hot, arid climates. Once established, this low-maintenance plant thrives with little water. Slender green leaves send out tall spikes adorned with crimson-red flowers—the color that hummingbirds are famously attracted to. Recommended for USDA Zones 5-11.

‘Pink Pearl’ Agastache

“Probably my favorite hummingbird plant that we grow, Agastache is wonderful because its tiny flower clusters up and down the stem are like corn on the cob for the hummingbirds,” says Katie. “This variety has a compact habit and dense blooms—with light pink flowers and darker buds— that cover the entire plant and provide a gorgeous two-tone effect from late spring until frost. It’s delicate but lush.” Also known as hummingbird mint, this plant lures hummingbirds, along with other pollinators, to the garden. Katie likes to plant this agastache en masse. Recommended for Zones 6-10.

Goldflame Honeysuckle

Throughout summer, Goldflame’s unique purple and deep pink buds cover the plant and open to become fragrant, golden-yellow tubular flowers. This colorful vine can be used to cover an arbor, trellis, or fence, an excellent way to view hummingbirds at a greater height in the garden, notes Katie. Of course, you can also prune it to form a dense shrub. Recommended for Zones 4-9.

Harlequin™ Purple Beardtongue

Spikes of tube-shaped purple blooms add interest to the garden, have a long vase life as a cut flower, and provide valuable nectar for pollinators. The vigorous, busy, compact habit makes this an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers. Katie likes this cultivar in particular because it’s got a bushier habit than other penstemon. Recommended for Zones 5-9.

Colorburst™ Yellow Cape Fuchsia

This hardy perennial flaunts gorgeous tubular flowers that appear from midsummer into fall and attracts hummingbirds like crazy.  Colorburst™ stays upright, allowing hummingbirds to enjoy it for many months. This plant may remain evergreen in mild winter climates. Katie adds: “I love this one because it’s a great container plant that provides a pop of color in part shade (such as on a patio right outside your window so you can watch hummingbirds visit).” Recommended for Zones 6-10.

See also:

• Jewelweed: An Annual to Lure Hummingbirds
• Help Birds in the Winter: 12 Tips for Food, Lodging, and Bird Safety
• Ask the Expert: Edwina von Gal, on How to Help the Birds