Hanging Basket Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

Create a haven for hummingbirds by planting hanging baskets filled with flowers that the miniature acrobats will love. Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers that dangle or protrude from the plant. The flowers should have easily accessible, tubular blooms. Although hummingbirds will spot red blooms from a distance, any nectar-rich flower will suit them.

Ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) is a tough plant that will forgive periods of drought and neglect. Ivy geranium has attractive foliage that will cascade happily over the sides of a hanging container. Its sweet nectar and bright blooms in colors ranging from pink to salmon to red will attract hummingbirds from early summer to mid-autumn. For the brightest, biggest blooms, plant ivy geranium where the plant will be exposed to sunlight in the morning and in shade during hot afternoons. Ivy geranium should be planted in well-drained soil. Water the plant deeply whenever the top of the soil is dry to the touch, and allow the soil to dry out before the next watering.

Lantana (Lantana camara) produces waxy foliage and rounded clumps of bright blooms in shades of red, yellow, violet, orange, pink and white all summer. A tall plant, lantana can grow to heights of 2 to 6 feet at maturity. A single clump of lantana may have blooms of several colors at the same time. Lantana, also known as yellow sage, has an unpleasant smell, but hummingbirds simply ignore the scent. Plant lantana in full sunlight and any soil that drains well. Water lantana only when the soil feels dry to the touch, as the plant won't do well in soggy soil.

Wave petunia (Petunia x hybrida WAVE), which can trail as long as 4 feet, is an ideal plant for hanging containers. The vivid pink, white or violet flowers will attract hummingbirds, and the 4-inch wide, trumpet-shape of the blooms easily accommodate the hummingbird's long tongue. Plant Wave petunia in full sunlight, and it will bloom from early summer to mid autumn with very little attention. Keep the soil moist, especially during hot, dry weather. Fertilize Wave petunias with a general-purpose fertilizer every other week until mid-summer.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) blooms profusely from early summer to mid-autumn with minimal attention. Hummingbirds love the jewel-toned red, yellow and orange flowers of nasturtium, also known as Indian cress, and the flower's funnel shape makes the blooms easily accessible. The plant's rounded, bright green leaves are an added benefit, adding variety and texture to a hanging basket. Nasturtiums thrive in full sunlight and do best in poor but well-drained soil. Although nasturtiums are tolerant of dry soil and occasional neglect, they will grow best with regular, weekly watering. Water enough to saturate the soil, and allow the soil to dry before watering again.