30+ Drought-Tolerant Plants for Hummingbirds From Plant Select
Western native plants to attract hummingbirds to your garden
When you plant native flowers for hummingbirds, you’ll feed some of the smallest birds in the world with natural nectar—and add instant joy to your garden!
Below, you’ll find 30+ drought-tolerant plants for hummingbirds from Plant Select. The waterwise plants below are a mix of native plants (straight species and cultivars) from the western United States, unless noted otherwise.
Please keep in mind, it may take some time for hummingbirds to find these plants. But once they do, they’ll often return year after year.
Bonus… Many of these flowers will attract other pollinators too, like hummingbird moths (aka, sphinx moths or hawk moths).
FULL SUN
Drought-tolerant flowers to attract hummingbirds and sphinx moths
Panchito manzanita
ORANGE CARPET® hummingbird trumpet
Epilobium canum subsp. garrettii ‘PWWG01S’
Learn about ORANGE CARPET® hummingbird trumpet
Regal torchlily
Kniphofia caulescens
Learn about Regal torchlily
Kniphofia caulescens is not native to North America.
KINTZLEY’S GHOST® honeysuckle
Lonicera reticulata ‘P015S’
Learn about KINTZLEY’S GHOST® honeysuckle
Kintzley’s Ghost has native origins in Iowa.
HALF PINT® pineleaf penstemon
Penstemon pinifolius ‘Compactum’
Learn about HALF PINT® pineleaf penstemon
SteppeSuns® Sunset Glow pineleaf penstemon
Penstemon pinifolius ‘P019S’
Learn about SteppeSuns® Sunset Glow penstemon
PIKES PEAK PURPLE® penstemon
Penstemon x mexicali ‘P007S’
Learn about PIKES PEAK PURPLE® penstemon
This plant is a mix of Mexican and American wild penstemons.
RED ROCKS® penstemon
Penstemon x mexicali ‘P008S’
Learn about RED ROCKS® penstemon
This plant is a mix of Mexican and American wild penstemons.
Red feathers
Pontechium maculatum
Learn about red feathers
Red feathers is not a North American native. We’ve included it here because it’s a lovely “season extender.” It blooms early in the season, often before other hummingbird plants have started flowering, making it an early nectar source.
WINDWALKER® Royal Red salvia
Salvia darcyi x S. microphylla ‘PWIN03S’
Learn about WINDWALKER® Royal Red salvia
SHADE – PART SHADE
Flowers to attract hummingbirds
About Plant Select hummingbird plants
Plant Select is a non-profit collaboration between Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University and professional horticulturists. We find, test and select plants that are ideal for the high plains and intermountain regions. More than 100 participating growers, botanic gardens and retailers help get the plants to market.
You can find Plant Select plants for hummingbirds from independent garden centers, online retailers and wholesalers. Ask for Plant Select on your next visit.
If your favorite retailer doesn’t have what you want, let them know you’d like these plants! In some cases, they may be able to order the plant for you.
Want to learn about hummingbirds? Please explore:
- Meet our Rocky Mountain hummingbirds (Bloom Gardens magazine)
- What do hummingbirds really eat in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming? (Audubon Rockies)
- Nine native plants to attract hummingbirds in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming (Audubon Rockies)
