The Best Flowers for Attracting Birds to Your Garden
Birds are drawn to gardens not only for shelter and nesting but also for food sources such as nectar, seeds, and the insects that flowers support. Choosing the right flowers can transform your yard into a bird haven. Below is a breakdown of flowers that attract different types of birds.
1. Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar, especially from tubular flowers that match their long, slender beaks. Bright red, pink, and orange blooms are particularly attractive.
Best Flowers:
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans): Large, trumpet-shaped orange-red flowers, hummingbird favorite.
Bee Balm (Monarda): Fragrant red, pink, and purple blooms.
Columbine (Aquilegia): Early spring nectar source.
Salvia (Salvia spp.): Long-lasting spikes of blue, red, or purple flowers.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Intense red tubular flowers.
Tip: Plant clusters of brightly colored flowers for maximum visibility.
2. Finches and Sparrows
These small seed-eating birds are attracted to flowers that produce abundant, accessible seeds.
Best Flowers:
Sunflowers (Helianthus): Large seed heads loved by goldfinches.
Coneflowers (Echinacea): Purple petals with spiky seed centers.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): Easy-to-grow seed producer.
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus): Fine seeds perfect for small beaks.
Zinnias (Zinnia spp.): Provide both nectar and seeds.
Tip: Leave seed heads standing through fall and winter to provide food during lean months.
3. Orioles and Tanagers
Orioles and tanagers enjoy nectar-rich flowers but also feed on insects and fruit. They are especially attracted to orange and red blossoms.
Best Flowers:
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens): Red tubular blooms full of nectar.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.): Large tropical flowers.
Coral Bells (Heuchera): Small red and pink flowers.
Bottlebrush (Callistemon): Unique red brush-like blooms.
Tip: Pair flowers with fruit-bearing shrubs like mulberries or serviceberries for added attraction.
4. Warblers and Insect-Eating Birds
These birds aren’t big nectar drinkers, but they love the insects that flowers attract. Native flowering plants are best for supporting healthy insect populations.
Best Flowers:
Goldenrod (Solidago): Late-season blooms attract pollinators.
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium): Tall, nectar-rich flowers draw butterflies and insects.
Milkweed (Asclepias): Supports caterpillars and nectar insects.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.): Bright yellow flowers teeming with pollinators.
Tip: Plant a variety of native species to provide food from spring through fall.
5. Doves and Pigeons
These ground-feeding birds are attracted to seed-bearing plants that scatter their bounty.
Best Flowers:
Amaranth (Amaranthus): Abundant, easy-to-access seeds.
Millet (Panicum miliaceum): Natural food source.
Sunflowers (Helianthus): Large seeds for larger birds.
Tip: Allow some plants to self-seed and dry naturally; doves will forage on the ground.
6. General Bird-Friendly Flowering Plants
Some flowers are “all-rounders” that support a wide range of birds either through nectar, seeds, or the insects they attract.
Best Options:
Marigolds (Tagetes): Insect-attracting blooms.
Lilies (Lilium): Nectar source for hummingbirds and pollinators.
Asters (Aster spp.): Late-blooming, seed-producing flowers.
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.): Tubular blooms for hummingbirds and bees.
Tips for a Bird-Friendly Flower Garden
Go Native: Native plants support local bird species better than exotics.
Stagger Bloom Times: Plant flowers that bloom in early, mid, and late seasons to ensure a steady food supply.
Avoid Pesticides: Insect-eating birds rely on healthy insect populations.
Plant in Clumps: Large, visible clusters attract more birds than scattered individuals.
Leave Seed Heads: Don’t deadhead everything—birds rely on dried seed heads.
