Hummingbirds are tiny powerhouses—and when you invite them into your garden, you’re bringing color, energy, and ecological benefits with every wingbeat. For homeowners in the St. Louis area (and throughout the Midwest), creating a hummingbird-friendly garden is a rewarding way to attract these fascinating pollinators while also adding beauty and value to your outdoor space.
With just a little planning and the right mix of plants, feeders, and habitat features, you can build a buzzing, blooming sanctuary that thrives from spring through fall.
Why Create a Hummingbird Garden?
A hummingbird garden isn’t just beautiful—it’s a win for you and the environment. Here’s why:
- Adds natural beauty and movement to your yard
- Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators
- Low maintenance and ideal for busy homeowners
- Boosts curb appeal and creates a peaceful retreat
- Supports native wildlife and local biodiversity
Best Plants for a Hummingbird Garden in the Midwest
To keep hummingbirds coming back, choose plants that are nectar-rich, colorful, and regionally appropriate. Here are some top picks:
Monarda (Bee Balm)
- Why Hummingbirds Love It:
- Tubular flowers rich in nectar
- Bright red, pink, or purple colors — a major attractant
- Why Homeowners Love It:
- Bold, showy blooms with a long flowering period
- Fragrant foliage that also repels deer
- Plant Details:
- Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Moisture: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
- Native Status: Native to Missouri and much of the Midwest
Lobelia cardinalis & siphilitica (Cardinal Flower)
- Why Hummingbirds Love It:
- Brilliant red or blue, tubular flowers made for their feeding style
- Blooms late in the season when nectar sources are scarce
- Why Homeowners Love It:
- Adds intense color and vertical interest to wet areas
- Attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies
- Plant Details:
- Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
- Light: Part shade
- Moisture: Loves consistently moist to wet soil
- Native Status: Native to Missouri and throughout the Eastern U.S.
Salvia x
- Why Hummingbirds Love It:
- Spikes of deep blue-purple tubular blooms
- Continuous nectar source with regular deadheading
- Why Homeowners Love It:
- Compact, tidy shape with long bloom time
- Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance
- Planting Details:
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (can re-bloom with deadheading)
- Light: Full sun
- Moisture: Drought-tolerant once established
- Native Status: Most garden varieties are cultivars or hybrids; not native, but pollinator-friendly
Aquilegia canadensis (Columbine)
- Why Hummingbirds Love It:
- Bright red and yellow, nodding flowers with nectar-rich spurs
- Early spring blooms are a critical food source
- Why Homeowners Love It:
- Unique flower shape adds delicate charm
- Performs well in naturalized or woodland gardens
- Planting Details:
- Bloom Time: Early to late spring
- Light: Part shade to Shade
- Moisture: Average moisture, tolerates light drought
- Native Status: Native to Missouri and eastern North America
Penstemon digitalis (Beardtongue)
- Why Hummingbirds Love It:
- Tall stems with clusters of white to pale pink tubular flowers
- Early-season nectar source
- Why Homeowners Love It:
- Elegant spires of blooms with a clean, upright habit
- Great in mass plantings or mixed borders
- Planting Details:
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
- Light: Full sun to light shade
- Moisture: Tolerates dry to average soil conditions
- Native Status: Native to Missouri and central/eastern U.S.
🌿 Want the full list? Download our printable guide to hummingbird-friendly plants with even more recommendations perfect for St. Louis gardens.
How to Start Your Hummingbird Oasis
You don’t need a huge yard—just thoughtful placement and the right features:
- Pick a sunny spot with shelter from wind
- Prep your soil by loosening and adding compost
- Mix heights by combining tall perennials with low-growing groundcovers and vines
- Add a water source like a mister, bubbler, or shallow birdbath
- Offer shade and nesting space with shrubs, trees, or trellises
Give Your Garden an Extra Boost with Feeders
Plant nectar is ideal, but feeders offer consistency—especially during migration or drought. Here’s how to do it right:
- Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water — no red dye needed
- Clean every 2–3 days (daily in hot weather)
- Use feeders with red accents and easy-to-clean parts
- Hang them in the shade, about 4 feet off the ground
Let Nature Do the Work
When in doubt, stick with bright, tubular blooms native to Missouri and skip overly hybridized plants that may lack nectar. Hummingbirds return to the gardens where the flowers are plentiful—and tasty.
Want help getting started? Stop by our garden center to browse hummingbird-friendly plants, or talk to our landscape team for custom ideas. Let’s turn your yard into a colorful, pollinator-powered retreat.