Grow These Long-Lasting Purple Flowers That Hummingbirds Can't Resist

If you're trying to attract more hummingbirds to your garden, color is key. Hummingbirds spend much of their time flitting around from location to location on the hunt for food, and a garden full of vibrant blooms is essentially like a glowing sign pointing them in the direction of their next meal. Feeders and colorful accents throughout your garden can certainly help to point them in the right direction, but nothing beats the real thing. While red, orange, and pink are the most frequently-recommended colors to attract hummingbirds, purple flowers can help add some more variety to your pollinator garden and draw in these welcome visitors, too. Many of these flowers are long-lasting garden staples, in a shade that hummingbirds can see clearly and may associate with tasty nectar.

It's common to want to bring in hummingbirds simply because they're fun to watch, but these little birds also serve an integral role in your garden's ecosystem. While they move from flower to flower feeding on the nectar, they also transport pollen and help to fertilize plants. Having pollinators visit can help to ensure your plants thrive, whether you're starting your own organic garden, attempting to maintain your landscaping, or using your space to cultivate native plants. To create a garden that's a welcoming spot for hummingbirds and other pollinators, try planting in a sunny area, keeping your plants close together, and planting several different varieties of flowers in close proximity — maybe even some of these purple picks.

Petunias (Petunia × atkinsiana) are some of the most common flowers you'll find at the garden center — and for good reason. These trumpet-shaped blossoms come in a wide variety of vibrant colors and bloom for several months throughout their active season, helping to bring a massive pop of color to your outdoor spaces. They are also favorites of hummingbirds, which enjoy their tubular shape. Petunias are low-maintenance, but because they are an annual flower, you will have to replant them each spring. They thrive in zones 9-11, so you'll likely have good luck with these flowers even if you live in an area with especially warm summers.

If you're looking for a low-maintenance perennial that will still help to draw in hummingbirds, consider giving catmint (Nepeta racemosa) a try. While it might not be quite as showy as some of the other, larger flowers on this list, it's still a great way to bring in some long-lasting color. These plants are easy to maintain and great to use to fill gaps in your garden, especially if you live in an area that doesn't get much rain. Catmint is known to be among plants that are especially hardy in dry areas.

If you're on the hunt for flowers that will turn your outdoor space into a secret garden oasis, beardtongue (Penstemon) is the plant for you. These plants are dripping in medium-sized purple flowers that are sure to make an impact in your landscaping. They are a nectar-rich magnet for pollinators including hummingbirds and bees. Because they're a perennial, they can survive for years when properly cared for and will consistently provide colorful blooms each summer. Note that these flowers can act like an invasive species when paired with weaker plants.

There are plenty of different flowers that can make a statement in your garden, but if you're looking for something that will be a true showstopper, consider looking into garden phlox (Phlox paniculata). This perennial erupts with vibrant blooms in the summer, and it's just as visually pleasing to hummingbirds as it is to humans. Because of the colorful and dense display it creates when it blooms, garden phlox is particularly attractive to pollinators and can help to guarantee you get some visitors, even after your spring flowers have started to fade away and the warmer months roll in.

Blazing star (Liatris spicata), also frequently referred to as gayfeather, is a flowering plant that can help to break up your garden, add some additional color, and attract pollinators like hummingbirds. The stalks are tall and slender, more closely resembling a prairie grass than a typical garden flower, but don't let that convince you that this plant is boring or just a filler. This perennial can grow up to 6 feet tall, so it's great to line a fence or create a border, and it also boasts unique, wispy leaves that make it an interesting textural addition to a garden even when its not blooming.

Azaleas are most commonly found in shades of vibrant pink and bright white, but if you're willing to do a bit of shopping around, you might find a few purple cultivars like Autumn Majesty and Autumn Lilac that can bring you the color you're looking for. These popular bushes are well-known for the explosion of color they provide once temperatures start to rise, and this large swath of vibrancy is perfect for drawing in hummingbirds. As long as you maintain your azaleas with regular pruning, mulching, and watering, you should get a brilliant display of color each year.

Delphinium is one of the most vibrant, show-stopping flowers that you can plant in your garden, making it a fantastic choice to help attract hummingbirds. Their tall stalks stacked with layered flowers are a favorite for pollinators, but if you decide to plant it, it's important to keep a few things in mind. First, delphinium needs relatively cool summers to thrive, meaning they likely won't last long if you're in an area that sees long periods of extreme heat or drought. They're also highly poisonous — not a problem if you're careful, but important to note if you have pets or children.