17 Best Purple Plants For Attracting Colorful Birds To Your Yard

If you want to create a haven for bright and colorful birds to roam your yard, you may want to start incorporating bright purple flowers to draw them in further. Unlike humans, birds have four color cones in their eyes, also known as tetrachromatic vision, which allows them to see colors within the ultraviolet spectrum. Some specific bird species, like hummingbirds, are incredibly drawn to purple flowers. For example, a purple cornflower plant can attract a wide variety of birds, from chickadees to woodpeckers.

It's understood that most birds are attracted to colors with the highest energy wavelengths, like purple, blue, and green. Plants with these types of bright colors promise more nectar and insects to hungry birds, drawing them in. If you plant some brightly colored purple flowers in your garden, like hyacinths or irises, you may start attracting a few more flying critters. Not only will their presence boost the ecosystem of your garden, but they will also help stave off insect pests.

Due to their sweet nectar, lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are an excellent way to lure birds to your garden, specifically hummingbirds. If you plant lilacs, these colorful blossoms tend to bloom on the earlier side of the spring and summer, making them attractive to nectar-seeking birds. Brightly colored birds like robins and cardinals are also known for making nests in lilac bushes, thanks to the dense foliage and sturdy stems.

Known for its bold and beautiful purple hues, 'Wood's Purple' is a smaller type of aster (Symphyotrichum) that can grow to about 12 to 18 inches tall. This flower attracts both birds and butterflies, providing shelter and food in the form of seeds. Birds like goldfinches, cardinals, and chickadees love to snack on aster seeds, especially throughout the winter when food is scarce.

We aren't the only ones who enjoy the sweet smell of lavender (Lavandula). Goldfinches are especially drawn to lavender plants in the winter, as they love to eat the dried seed heads. If you want to attract more of these colorful birds to your garden, make sure to delay your lavender pruning and allow the winged creatures to feast on the nutritious seeds. While it will attract beneficial pollinators, lavender will naturally deter many unwanted pests. 

If you want to bring hummingbirds into your garden, you might want to plant some lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus). These tall perennials have spheres of trumpet-shaped flowers in gorgeous shades of blue and violet filled with sweet nectar, making them the perfect target for sugar-loving pollinators. Their bright colors bloom in the summer, just in time for the hummingbirds to start feeding.

Besides bringing helpful pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden, blazing stars (Liatris spicata) are known for attracting goldfinches thanks to the flowers' nutritious fruits. Once these flowers have bloomed later in the season, they produce seed-like fruits that the bright yellow birds love to eat. Blazing stars will also bring hummingbirds to your yard, as they contain nectar.

Thanks to their nutritious seeds, rhizomes, and leaves, native violets (Viola) are an excellent addition to your garden, attracting birds like mourning doves and songbirds. With this easy-to-grow ground cover, you can also bring in birds like quail and sparrows, which like to snack on violet seeds. Since hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors and sweet nectar, you might also start to find more of those in your garden.

Like other nectar-bearing flowers, morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) will certainly attract birds to your yard, specifically ruby-throated hummingbirds. You can spot these tiny creatures by their bright colors: males have a bright red throat, typically above a stripe of white, and females have golden-green feathers. These flowers can also attract songbirds and bobwhites, which are a type of quail.

When planting crocuses (Crocus sativus) in your garden, be warned, as these pretty purple flowers will attract more than just birds. Squirrels, mice, and other pests will also be drawn to the yummy crocus corms, which are the fleshy stems that crocuses grow from. These popular flowers are sure to bring color and life to your garden; you just may want to be on the alert for non-bird pests that will eat them completely.

Bring pollinating birds like hummingbirds into your garden by planting 'Caradonna' sage (Salvia nemorosa), also known as meadow sage. Salvia flowers are typically dense and clustered, attracting other pollinators to harvest their sweet nectar. The tall, flowery spikes' bold colors also add a unique look to your garden, with blooms lasting throughout the season. Many gardeners recommend planting them along your garden's border or as a companion plant.

Due to the early blooms and delicious nectar of the columbine (Aquilegia) flower, this purple plant is a huge hit with pollinators, insects, and birds alike. Some birds that prefer to eat seeds, like finches and buntings, are also drawn to this bright and bold plant with bell-shaped flowers. Since columbine flowers are native perennials, they can self-seed, leaving these nutritious bites behind for the hungry birds.

Hydrangeas won't just improve the overall aesthetic of your yard with their stunning color palette, but they can also serve as a key component in the ecosystem of your garden. Besides attracting beneficial pollinators, hydrangeas can serve as a shelter and food source for various birds, including sparrows, cardinals, and songbirds. Once hydrangeas have bloomed in the late summer and early fall, they produce seeds to the delight of these birds.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is one of the most common choices when it comes to drawing birds to a garden. The plant's iconic cone-shaped centers are appealing to pollinators and butterflies, while birds tend to snack on the seeds from the spent plants. Birds like blue jays, goldfinches, and cardinals are also known for eating the dead flowers, so make sure to hold off on pruning your purple coneflower if you want more bright flying critters in your yard.

Though marigolds (Tagetes) can come in a wide variety of colors like orange, yellow, and white, there are a few rare species that can boast vibrant purple hues. These flowers can attract goldfinches, sparrows, and juncos to your yard, as these colorful creatures like to eat the seeds. Marigolds can also serve as a dense and cozy shelter for any ground-feeding birds.

If you want to bring a steady stream of birds into your yard, woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) is an excellent choice, as its blue and violet flowers hold delicious nectar that is especially attractive to ruby-throated hummingbirds. These bird-friendly flowers not only add a bright pop of color to your garden, but they are an ideal meeting place for pollinating birds.

Similar to marigolds, zinnias come in a wide variety of colors. But if you want to add a bright purple flower to your garden that will bring in the birds, 'Purple Prince' zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are an excellent option. Make sure to let your zinnia flowers fully mature, as the seeds and possible shelter can attract many types of birds, including goldfinches. 

Bring not just hummingbirds, but songbirds into your garden by planting bearded tongue (Penstemon). These blue-purple perennial flowers provide nectar for pollinating birds through their tubular flowers. They also supply seeds for multiple types of songbirds, like sparrows, finches, and red-winged blackbirds. Once the flowers have matured, your bearded tongue flowers will become a veritable feast for these hungry creatures.

Not only is bee balm (Monarda didyma) a stunning addition to your flower beds, but this purple flower is a popular choice for bird gardens. They support your garden's ecosystem and wildlife, attracting hummingbirds for their nectar and birds like goldfinches, sparrows, and redpolls for their seeds. Like most of the plants on this list, bee balm also attracts insects, which can bring in insect-loving birds.