The Low-Maintenance Vine That Attracts Hummingbirds To Your Yard

Hummingbird fans know that these impressive birds love tubular, reddish flowers, so selecting perennials that meet that description may seem like the obvious decision. But many gardeners may not realize that these avian pollinators actually have a broader palate when it comes to blooms. Plants with other types of flowers will also draw them in, including the passionflower vine, one of the low-maintenance flowering vines that will keep hummingbirds coming back to your yard.

Some gardeners grow passionflower, also known as maypop, for its deliciously tart fruits — but this vine also bears incredibly showy, white and purple blooms that are crown-like and very fragrant. Both flowers and fruits are produced on deciduous, lobe-leaved vines. Before growing passionflower vine in your yard to attract hummingbirds, you should know that these vines can reach up to 8 feet in height and 6 feet in width. So, plan to support them accordingly — perhaps with a trellis. This species is a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, and it thrives in locations with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Passionflower is a fast-growing perennial that'll turn your yard into a pollinator haven while demanding little care — especially when grown in its native habitat in the eastern and central U.S., which ranges from Texas to Delaware. This vine can grow in different types of soils; it's drought tolerant and generally free from insect or disease troubles. It can be trellised, but that's not an obligation — you can also grow this vine as a ground cover, and it will still attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to your yard. Plus, its flowers don't require deadheading.

Besides hummingbirds, this vine's blooms also attract bees and butterflies with their nectar. Likewise, this plant is a larval host for different types of butterflies, including gulf fritillaries, so don't be surprised if you find caterpillars on your vines. To bring even more hummingbirds and pollinators into your yard, grow suitable passionflower companion plants, such as black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) and coastal sweet-pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia).