17 Pretty Late Summer & Fall Flowers You'll Want To Plant To Attract Hummingbirds

Did you know that having more hummingbirds in your yard also means better insect control? These hungry little birds are known to consume spiders, mosquitoes, and a handful of other pesky bugs. Moreover, watching these charming birds from your window can have a hugely positive impact on your mental health. Flowers are a natural way to attract hummingbirds to your yard while offering the added benefits of color, texture, and visual interest to your garden, and with so many late summer and fall flowers, you can easily keep the good times blooming all year round.

From simple and delicate flowers like petunias to strong, bushier options like milkweed and goldenrod, you're spoiled for choice when planning your late summer and fall garden. So if you're ready to create a gorgeous haven that attracts pest-eating hummingbirds, transforms the look of your yard, and increases your well-being, then it's time to start planting. After all, it's never too late to do something good for yourself and your local wildlife pals. 

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is a beautiful annual flower that is characterized by bright orange blossoms with red spots. Belonging to the touch-me-not (Balsaminaceae) family, jewelweed blooms throughout summer and up until the first frost, making it a great addition for your fall garden. This flower commonly grows along the roadside and is known to attract common pollinators, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other bird species.

Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are a vibrant flower that attracts hummingbirds as well as butterflies and various other bird species. They're a fun way to spruce up your late summer garden with colorful annuals, as they bloom from early summer until the first frost. The plant's blooms can be a range of colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, white, lavender, and more. Grow your zinnias in areas with full sun and use moist, well-draining soil for the most success.

Larkspur (Delphinium) is a vibrant purple flower that thrives in cooler environments, blooming until September. While the flower is great for attracting hummingbirds and bees to your yard, it is toxic for humans and pets, so grow with caution. Larkspur is generally suitable to grow outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9 and prefers full to partial sun. You can expect these flowers to grow up to 8 feet tall.

Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) produces a nectar that hummingbirds can't get enough of. The long-lasting blossoms are typically red or yellow and have, as the name implies, a trumpet shape to them. This fast-growing plant is suitable for zones 4 through 9 and prefers moist, well-draining, and acidic soil. The plant grows as a vine and can reach up to 15 feet in length.

Ironweed (Vernonia) is a tall plant with beautiful purple blossoms that are rich with tasty nectar. With 17 species of ironweed in North America, the plant is part of the same family as sunflowers and daisies and is considered low maintenance. Ironweed typically blossoms from mid-summer into mid-fall, and many are hardy in zones 4 to 9. The plant prefers acidic, well-drained soil and full to partial sun.

While many consider goldenrod (Solidago) a weed, it is a favorite among hummingbirds and other pollinators. The plant can grow up to 8 feet tall and produces a vibrant, golden yellow flower that adds a pop of color to any garden all the way through October. Suitable for hardiness zones 2 through 8, this perennial prefers a loamy soil and does not require much care.

Beardtongue (Penstemon) produces a delicate, bell-shaped flower that makes it easy for hummingbirds to get their nectar. It prefers a loamy soil and has low water needs, tolerating drought well. Beardtongue is hardy in zones 3 through 10 and is a great option for late summer or fall gardens since it can bloom a second time. There are many flower colors available, ranging from deep blue to purple, red, or pink.

There are approximately 250 species of aster (Aster), and many of them are suitable for attracting hummingbirds in the late summer and fall seasons. Most asters are suitable for zones 3 to 8, and they may produce purple, blue, pink, or red blossoms with a yellow center. Sharing a similar look to a daisy, the flowers can grow up to 6 feet tall or stay much shorter, depending on the species and variety.

Hollyhock (Alcea) is a large biennial or perennial that can reach up to 8 feet tall. Ideal for hardiness zones 3 to 9, hollyhocks produce gorgeous blooms through late summer in a variety of colors, including pink, red, white, purple, and yellow. In addition to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are also attracted to this towering flower. Hollyhocks do best in full sun with a moist but well-draining soil.

Foxglove (Digitalis) is a delicious treat for hummingbirds and a great way to add visual interest to your garden. The plant is a biennial or perennial and hardy in zones 4 to 9, thriving in well-draining soil with full to partial sun. The bell-shaped, downward-facing blossoms make it easy for hummingbirds to get their nectar and come in pink, yellow, purple, and white.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) thrives in hardiness zones 3 to 9 and is an effective way to bring more pollinators into your yard and garden. This native perennial flower produces round clusters of small pinkish flowers. It's commonly found on roadsides and can grow up to 5 feet tall, often blooming well into the end of summer.

Part of the mint family, pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) is hardy in zones 8 to 11. The unique plant is known for its pineapple scent and vibrant red blossoms that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Blooming through the summer until the first frost, the plant enjoys well-draining soil and full to partial sun. In addition to being an attractive flower for pollinators, many use pineapple sage for culinary purposes — the flowers, for example, make a great garnish for fresh summer salads.

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) produces a beautiful red blossom that will make your garden's summer color last well into fall. Suitable for hardiness zones 3 to 9, this perennial produces spike-like blossoms in a vibrant color that is sure to attract hummingbirds. The cardinal flower grows in loamy or clay soil that's well-drained with access to full or partial sun.

Cigar flower (Cuphea ignea), also called cigar plant, is characterized by its long, tube-shaped (or cigar-shaped) blossoms, which are an orangey-red color. The flowering plant is low-maintenance and is hardy in zones 10 to 12. In other zones, it may be grown as an annual. For the best results, plant your cigar flower in an area that receives full or partial sun with loamy, well-draining soil.

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a perennial flower ideal for hardiness zones 5 through 9. The plant, which can grow up to 15 feet tall, prefers an environment with full sun and moist soil. A favorite among hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, rose of Sharon can also tolerate deer and drought. The blossoms, which loosely resemble those of the hollyhock, are typically pink but also come in various colors like white, purple, yellow, and blue. They remain until the first frost of all.

Petunias are a common garden flower, beloved for their wide color range. With so many color combinations to choose from, you can plant petunias to attract hummingbirds while creating a vibrant display for your yard. You can find these delicate flowers in pale pinks and purples, white, yellow, and darker shades of red, pink, and purple. They prefer a moist soil with good drainage and full to partial sun.

Spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) is a beautiful annual plant known for its wispy blossoms that loosely resemble spider legs. Sometimes referred to as pink queen, this unique plant will attract a variety of butterflies and a range of birds that, of course, includes hummingbirds. For success growing this plant, opt for an area with full sun and loamy soil.