Not Lupine, Not Salvia: The Vibrant Purple Flower Hummingbirds Love

Tried and true flowers like lupine, salvia, and other tubular or trumpet-shaped blooms are magnets for hummingbirds as they provide ample, easy-to-access nectar sources. But even these adorable little birds can benefit from some variety. If you want to expand your gardening horizons while still being the hummingbirds' go-to food spot, consider planting 'Twizzle Purple' pentstemon (Penstemon barbatus). This 2017 All-America Selections winner is another flower that hummingbirds can't resist, and it's easy to see why.

To start, it checks off every box on this bird's wishlist. Each 'Twizzle Purple' plant is covered in bright purple-pink flowers — a couple of the shades hummingbirds are drawn to since they see them well. The dozens of elongated beautiful tubular flowers per stem also provide more than enough nectar options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For context, these tiny birds need to eat approximately 50% of their body weight a day in nectar and insects — being a hummingbird is hard work! This penstemon variety is also drought-tolerant, meaning it will continue blooming and provide food for hummers and other pollinators even when water is scarce. 

'Twizzle Purple' is considered a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8 and flowers in spring and through the summer months. If you live outside these hardiness zones, you may still be able to grow it, just as an annual instead. They're part of the penstemon family, a group of herbaceous plants native to southern parts of North America known for its dry, rocky soil. Because of this, make sure the spot you choose has good drainage. Plant these gorgeous purple flowers in full sun along the edges of garden beds or path borders for the most impact. Be mindful that they can get almost 3 feet tall, so you'll need to make sure they don't block other flowering plants from view. As far as spacing goes, allow for 1 foot between each plant. Unless potted in a container, you typically don't need to fertilize these plants, and even container-grown plants may only need occasional nutrients. Deadheading spent flowers is the only maintenance they require to encourage more blooms for the hummingbirds to enjoy.

When adding this vibrant flower to a pollinator garden, you'll be happy to know it has plenty of companion plants. With proper spacing, you can grow 'Twizzle Purple' beside other hummingbird favorites that tolerate dry soil. Echinacea, salvia, and butterfly weed are just a few options. You can even branch out and explore other Penstemon variations like Electric Blue that look amazing next to 'Twizzle Purple.' Pair flowers with drought-tolerant shrubs to give hummingbirds a safe place to perch and rest in between sips of flower juice.