Hanging baskets filled with vibrant blooms not only add charm to your outdoor spaces but also create the perfect feeding station for hummingbirds. These tiny, energetic birds are naturally drawn to colorful, nectar-rich flowers, especially those with tubular shapes. By choosing the right plants for your baskets, you can enjoy a lively garden display while supporting hummingbirds throughout the season. Here are ten beautiful hanging basket flowers they love.
1. Fuchsia
Fuchsia is one of the most eye-catching flowers for hanging baskets, known for its elegant drooping blooms and ability to attract hummingbirds. Its tubular blossoms make it a natural favorite for these tiny birds, while its trailing growth habit adds charm to patios and gardens.
Identification
- Tubular, pendulous flowers in vibrant shades of pink, red, purple, and white
- Glossy green, oval-shaped leaves
- Trailing stems that can grow 1–3 feet long, ideal for hanging baskets
Habitat
Fuchsia thrives in partial shade and cool, moist conditions. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil and protection from intense afternoon sun.
Blooming Season
The plant blooms from late spring through early frost, ensuring a long season of nectar for hummingbirds.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
Its nectar-rich, tubular flowers are perfectly suited for hummingbird feeding, encouraging frequent visits and adding lively movement to your garden.
2. Petunia
Petunia is a versatile and colorful flower that thrives in hanging baskets, offering a cascade of blooms that draw hummingbirds throughout the warm months. With its wide range of colors and ease of care, it’s a favorite choice for gardeners who want both beauty and function.
Identification
- Funnel-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, white, and bi-colors
- Soft, slightly sticky green foliage
- Trailing or mounding habit, often spilling gracefully over basket edges
Habitat
Petunias grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. They are heat-tolerant but require regular watering to stay lush and blooming.
Blooming Season
They flower abundantly from late spring through fall, especially when deadheaded and given proper care.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
Brightly colored, especially red and purple petunias, are irresistible to hummingbirds, providing easy access to nectar in hanging baskets.
3. Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Calibrachoa, often called Million Bells, is a trailing plant that produces masses of small, colorful blooms perfect for hanging baskets. Its flowers resemble mini petunias and create a continuous display that hummingbirds can’t resist.
Identification
- Tiny, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, yellow, purple, pink, and orange
- Small, oval green leaves with a compact growth habit
- Cascading stems that can trail up to 2 feet over basket edges
Habitat
Calibrachoa thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It prefers moderate watering and benefits from occasional feeding to support its heavy blooming.
Blooming Season
This plant blooms non-stop from late spring until frost, offering a consistent nectar supply throughout the hummingbird season.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
The abundance of tiny, tubular flowers creates multiple feeding opportunities, ensuring hummingbirds visit regularly and linger around the baskets.
4. Lantana
Lantana is a vibrant, sun-loving plant that works beautifully in hanging baskets. Its clusters of brightly colored blooms not only add charm to outdoor spaces but also provide a rich nectar source that keeps hummingbirds returning.
Identification
- Small, clustered flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, or purple
- Dark green, rough-textured leaves with a distinct scent
- Trailing stems suitable for cascading over basket edges
Habitat
Lantana thrives in full sun and tolerates heat and drought well. It prefers well-drained soil and is easy to maintain in baskets or containers.
Blooming Season
It blooms from late spring through fall, offering continuous color and nectar throughout the warm months.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
The bright, clustered blooms provide abundant nectar, making it a hummingbird magnet and ensuring frequent garden visits.
5. Geranium
Geraniums are classic flowering plants that bring bold color and fragrance to hanging baskets. Their showy blooms and sturdy growth habit make them a reliable choice, while their nectar-rich flowers are appealing to hummingbirds.
Identification
- Rounded clusters of flowers in red, pink, purple, or white
- Distinctive round, lobed green leaves with a slight scent
- Upright to trailing stems, depending on the variety
Habitat
Geraniums prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They grow best in well-drained soil and need regular watering, especially in baskets where soil dries quickly.
Blooming Season
These plants bloom from late spring to early fall, providing a steady display of vibrant flowers.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
Their bright, nectar-rich blossoms, especially in red shades, are highly attractive to hummingbirds, ensuring regular visits.
6. Cuphea (Cigar Plant)
Cuphea, commonly known as Cigar Plant, is a striking addition to hanging baskets with its fiery, tubular blooms. Its flowers are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds, making it a reliable magnet for these active garden visitors.
Identification
- Small, tubular flowers resembling tiny cigars, often red, orange, or scarlet with purple tips
- Narrow, lance-shaped green leaves
- Compact, bushy, or trailing habit suitable for baskets
Habitat
Cuphea thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It is heat-tolerant and does well in warm climates with regular watering.
Blooming Season
It blooms continuously from late spring until frost, ensuring a long nectar supply during hummingbird season.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
The tubular shape and vivid color of Cuphea flowers provide easy access to nectar, drawing hummingbirds frequently to hanging baskets.
7. Begonia
Begonias are elegant and versatile flowers that bring both beauty and function to hanging baskets. Their showy blooms and lush foliage thrive in shaded areas, offering nectar and color where many other plants won’t grow.
Identification
- Large, waxy flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, and white
- Glossy or textured green to bronze leaves
- Trailing and cascading varieties ideal for baskets
Habitat
Begonias prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. They are excellent for hanging baskets placed on porches or shaded patios.
Blooming Season
They bloom from late spring through fall, with proper care ensuring long-lasting color.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
The vibrant, tubular-shaped blooms—especially red begonias—serve as a reliable nectar source, attracting hummingbirds even in shaded garden spots.
8. Impatiens
Impatiens are shade-loving flowers that add vibrant splashes of color to hanging baskets. Known for their continuous blooms, they create a lush display that draws hummingbirds to shaded corners of the garden.
Identification
- Bright, flat-faced flowers in red, pink, orange, white, and purple
- Soft, green oval leaves with serrated edges
- Compact and bushy growth habit, trailing slightly over basket edges
Habitat
Impatiens thrive in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil. They require consistent watering to maintain their lush appearance.
Blooming Season
They bloom profusely from late spring until the first frost, providing steady nectar throughout the season.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
The abundance of brightly colored flowers, especially in red and pink shades, offers hummingbirds an easy and plentiful nectar source.
9. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are cheerful, trailing flowers that spill beautifully over the edges of hanging baskets. Their bright, trumpet-shaped blooms are not only attractive to the eye but also a magnet for hummingbirds.
Identification
- Funnel-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow
- Round, shield-like green leaves with long stems
- Trailing growth habit, perfect for baskets and containers
Habitat
Nasturtiums thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soil. They are low-maintenance and tolerate poor soils well.
Blooming Season
They bloom from late spring through early fall, adding continuous color and nectar for hummingbirds.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
The tubular flowers produce abundant nectar, making them highly appealing to hummingbirds while bright colors act as natural attractants.
10. Verbena
Verbena is a sun-loving plant that creates a stunning cascade of blooms in hanging baskets. Its clusters of small, tubular flowers are rich in nectar, making it a favorite stop for hummingbirds.
Identification
- Small, clustered flowers in red, purple, pink, white, or bi-colors
- Narrow, serrated green leaves
- Trailing stems that spread and spill over basket edges
Habitat
Verbena thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates heat and drought well, making it a hardy choice for baskets.
Blooming Season
It blooms continuously from late spring until frost, offering long-lasting color and nectar.
Role in Attracting Hummingbirds
The nectar-filled clusters provide multiple feeding spots, ensuring hummingbirds return often to hanging baskets.
