Winter-Blooming Plants That'll Have Hummingbirds Visiting Your Yard Year Round

Out of all the seasons in the year, winter is probably the one which you'd be least likely to expect to see a hummingbird in your yard. And, if you live in certain parts of the country, you're probably right. Most hummingbirds migrate south to find warmer weather and better opportunities for food during the winter. Many travel as far as Central America or Mexico, but some stay in the United States, choosing to spend their winters in the warmer portions of states such as Texas, Louisiana, Florida, or Alabama. Then there's the Anna's hummingbird, which doesn't migrate (or at least not very far) and will stay along the Pacific coast, even in the cooler climate of the Pacific Northwest.

If you are in an area where hummingbirds live during the winter, then you'll want to do what you can to help them make it through the colder months. One way to do this is to add some winter-blooming plants to your landscape. These plants will attract hummingbirds to your yard and provide them with the nectar that they need to survive as they wait for the warmer spring and summer temperatures to arrive.

When most flowering plants have long since lost their blooms, sarcococca (Sarcococca confusa) is just getting started. This hummingbird-attracting evergreen shrub flowers between January and February, producing small white blooms. While difficult to see due to their size and the dark-green backdrop, the white flowers are very fragrant, adding an extra touch of pizzazz to your garden. Hummingbirds are likely to stop by to feed on the delicious nectar from the tiny flowers that can be so hard to come by elsewhere during these colder months of the year.

Sarcococca, which is also called sweet box, is relatively easy to grow. It is best suited to USDA growing zones 6 through 9 (depending on the specific species). Once you've established it in your yard, it is drought tolerant and can thrive in different types of soil, including clay, rich, average, and well-drained. It grows best in the shade. When fully grown, the shrub may reach up to 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide. In addition to attracting hummingbirds, the plant is also resistant against many pests, including rabbit, deer, slugs, and snails.

Pink Dawn bodnant viburnum (Viburnum x bodnantesnse 'Pink Dawn')is a winter-blooming plant that can provide nectar for the hummingbirds that visit your backyard. While most viburnum plants flower in the spring or summer, bodnant viburnum is an outlier in that it displays its gorgeous and aromatic pink flowers in the winter. Depending on the specific region where you live, these blooms may appear towards the end of winter or the very early spring, or as soon as late autumn for those in warmer regions.

Beyond the fact that bodnant viburnum is a flower that appears during the winter, hummingbirds are also attracted to it because of its nectar content and brighter pink coloring. If you're thinking about adding bodnant viburnum to your front or backyard garden, you'll want to choose a location that gets some sunlight (full sun or partial sun are both fine, but it'll produce more flowers for the hummingbirds if placed in full sun). It is generally an easy plant to grow, doing well in different soil types, requiring little pruning, and being generally unaffected by pests.

February may be the month before the official start of spring. However, harsh weather conditions persist through the month (it's still winter, after all), which can make finding nectar challenging for hummingbirds. Consider growing some winter daphne (Daphne odora) in your garden to help these precious pollinators make it through this otherwise sparse and difficult time of year. The winter daphne blooms with aromatic, tubular-shaped flowers in February or early March. Hummingbirds, along with other pollinators who are attracted to the smell of the nectar, will be drawn to visit your yard — providing a rewarding experience for all.

Winter daphne is another evergreen shrub. When fully grown, it can reach up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Beyond the tubular flowers that appear in February, the rest of the plant features shiny green leaves with a yellow outer border. Unfortunately, winter daphne is not as easy to grow as some other hummingbird favorites. It's essential to grow in well-drained soil, otherwise it is likely to suffer from root rot and fail in your yard. The plant will also grow best in partial shade, though it might be able to survive if placed in a sunnier part of the yard, too.

If you live in the South and want to keep hummingbirds happy, consider planning some camellia (Camellia) in your yard. Most varieties of this evergreen plant tend to grow best in hardiness zones 7 to 9. One of the best things about camellia — both for the beautification of your yard and attracting hummingbirds — is its long bloom season. Depending on the species, the plants may start flowering in the fall or winter — and the blooms often last for several months at a time.

Two camellia varieties that are favorites of hummingbirds include the Tanya and the apple blossom. The Tanya variety features deep pink flowers to draw in hummingbirds, while the apple blossom has light pinkish-white blooms with pink edges that hummingbirds also love to frequent. While the ideal growing conditions can vary based on the variety that you plant, most will do well in partial shade, particularly as they are still getting established.

A certain colorful tree can also help attract hummingbirds to your yard during the colder winter months: the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). This evergreen tree blooms in the fall, but the blooms may last into the winter, especially in areas with a slightly warmer climate. When it does bloom, you'll marvel at the gorgeous white or light pink flowers. These flowers offer a unique urn shape and deliver a sweet, yet subtle, fragrance. Hummingbirds will zoom in to drink the delicious nectar from these flowers.

One benefit of the strawberry tree is its ability to remain an eye-catching part of your landscape all year long. The fruit begins to appear in the winter, following the flower. As it ripens, its color will turn to yellow, and then to red. The whole progression takes about a year, so there will be something colorful for you — and backyard wildlife — to enjoy. The fruit is technically edible, but it doesn't have a very pleasant flavor or texture, so you'll probably want to stick with this tree as just an ornamental decoration and pollinator-draw for your yard. 

Strawberry trees grow best in either full sun or partial shade. They prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil that is well draining but still kept moist. You can consider this tree if you live in hardiness zones 7a through 10b.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is another winter-blooming plant that you might want to add to your garden to encourage hummingbirds to visit. There are different species of witch hazel, and the bloom time can vary between these species. Many of these species bloom in the winter. For example, vernal witch hazel (H. vernalis) blooms in late December or January. It grows well in hardiness zones 4 through 8. Chinese with hazel (H. mollis) and Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica), which are well-suited for hardiness zones 5 through 8, bloom a little later. These typically will produce fragrant flowers between February and March.

Hummingbirds, particularly Ruby-throated hummingbirds, are attracted to the colorful flowers and their pleasant fragrance. Even better, deer won't touch witch hazel, so you won't need to worry about accidentally inviting them into your garden alongside the hummingbirds. If you're going to plant witch hazel in your yard, you'll want to choose an area that gets full sun (or at least partial sun if you're in a warmer climate). The soil should be kept moist, but not overly wet to avoid root rot.

Add some color to an otherwise dreary winter lawn and garden with Charity mahonia (Mahonia x media 'Charity'). This evergreen shrub blooms in the fall and winter, producing attractive clusters of yellow flowers. The nectar-rich flowers are certain to be a big hit with the hummingbirds in the area who have relatively slim pickings during these colder months.

If you're thinking about planting mahonia in your garden, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, this plant doesn't do well in overly cold climates. It is best suited for hardiness zones 7b through 9b, which essentially covers the southern portions and west coast of the U.S. It also shouldn't be planted in an area that receives direct sunlight all day. Instead, opt for a partially-shaded section of the yard. Mahonia also does well in a well-draining neutral or acidic soil, so it probably won't grow well if your soil has a higher pH.