Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is easy!
Fresh nectar is the best way to attract hummingbirds.
Here's what to expect:
- Hummingbird migration in Maine
- 10 flowers hummingbirds love
- 5 tips for attracting hummingbirds
When do hummingbirds return to Maine?
Hummingbirds migrate to Maine from mid April to early May. Their peak activity is in the summer.
They start to leave in late August, with their southbound migration wrapping up in September.
Make sure your flowers are ready for hummingbird migration
Use the tips below for succession planting.
You want some flowers that bloom in early April for hummingbird migration, others to bloom in the summer when they settle and start breeding.
This ensures hummers have a steady supply of nectar!
10 Flowers that Attract Hummingbirds in Maine
Make sure to follow our 5 Tips for Success for using flowers to attract hummingbirds below
1. Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Perennial
Names: Bergamot, Horesemint, Oswego Tea
An herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to North America.
The vibrant red is a great flower to attract Ruby-Throated hummingbirds & butterflies.
It’s spreading behavior varies so keep an eye on it.
2. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Perennial
Names: Scarlet Lobelia, Indian Pink
The Cardinal Flower depends on hummingbirds since many insects find the flowers difficult to navigate.
Cardinal Flower is practically a beacon for hummingbirds!
It's simply one of the best hummingbird flowers in Maine— no garden is complete without it.
3. Beardtongue (Penstemon)
- Perennial
A drought tolerant delicate flowering plant.
The nectar rich tubes attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Beardtongue comes in a number of pinks and purples sure to please your hummingbirds.
4. Blazing Stars (Liatris)
- Perenial
Names: Gayfeather
A tall cylindrical cluster of spikes for petals, Blazing Stars is one of the more fun flowers you can choose for hummingbirds in Maine.
Try Meadow Blazingstar. It's great for for attracting hummingbirds & monarch butterflies!
5. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
- Perennial
A dominant, bright pink nectar source blooming in mid-to-late summer.
It blooms during peak hummingbird season!
This tall cone shaped flowering plant is easy to see from a distance making it one of the best hummingbird flowers in Maine
6. Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea)
- Perennial
Names: Red Sage
The fruity rose, red, and purple hued flowers of hummingbird sage are a staple in any pollinator garden.
Black & Blue Salvia is a popular choice by birders and gardeners alike.
7. Foxglove (Digitalis)
- Perennial
Foxglove is known for its purple and pink spire-like flowers.
It’s an ideal flower to attract hummingbirds in suburban yards since it’s considered deer resistant.
Beware— Foxglove is toxic. All plant parts cause severe poisoning.
8. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
- Perennial
Maine hummingbirds love this nectar rich flower!
It blooms early summer to fall which is ideal for succession gardening.
This drought tolerant flower is great for any hummingbird garden.
9. Salvia
- Perennial
Names: California hummingbird sage, pitcher sage
The fruity rose, red, and purple hued flowers of hummingbird sage are a staple in any pollinator garden.
Surprisingly, Black & Blue Salvia is a popular choice by birders and gardeners alike.
10. Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
- Perennial
Red Elderberry blooms in early to mid spring giving hummingbirds a reliable nectar source after migrating.
Elderberry shrubs are great nesting sites for other birds, too.
All around a win-win for pollinators and year round birds.
5 Key Tips for Using Plants to Attract Hummingbirds
1. Use Red Flowers
Hummingbirds are red sensitive.
They visit many colors but warm reds, yellows, and oranges increase the odds of them picking your flowers.
2. Avoid Invasive Plants
Neither of these are flagged as invasive but they can displace native plants.
- Non-Native Butterfly Bush colonizes easily & displaces plants that can support butterfly larvae
- Foxglove tends to take over and choke out native plants. Keep this in planters.
Check the Maine Invasive Weed List before planting.
3. Group Plants Together
Grouping similar plants in clumps makes them easier for hummingbirds to spot.
Use companion planting to make sure your garden thrives!
4. Use Hummingbird Feeders
When in doubt put up nectar feeders.
Hummingbirds will come for easy food. They'll notice your flowers & keep coming back for more.
5. Avoid Pesticides
Insecticides protect plants from destructive insects.
Many store bought pesticides can kill the insects hummingbirds eat and rely on for protein.
Opt for these eco-friendly insecticide alternatives:
What flowers do your hummingbirds like ?
Share it on the Sparkbird App! Available in the Apple App Store.
