Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, a magnet for hummingbirds — scarlet blooms held from Mar to May for them to probe; spreading 12–18 in.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Arizona · Zones 5–10
Native Hummingbird Plants in Arizona
Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. For Arizona, the right natives are shaped by Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim and a arid, hot low desert to cool high country climate. Every species below, from Firecracker Penstemon and Wild Bergamot to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Arizona and the wider flora of the desert Southwest and hardy through zones 5–10. Hummingbirds are wired to investigate red and orange tubular flowers, so a few well-placed natives will out-pull a feeder and never need cleaning. Stagger bloom times so there is nectar from spring migration through fall departure, and plant near a perch or shrub where the birds can rest between feedings.
The plants
11 native species for Arizona
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–10 · see this collection in other states.
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, a hummingbird flower — lavender tubular blooms from Jun to Aug — for clay, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, built for hummingbirds, with red nectar tubes borne from Apr to Jul — reaching 1.5–3 ft.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jul
Autumn Sage
Salvia greggii
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, a magnet for hummingbirds — red blooms held from Apr to Oct for them to probe — spreading 2–3 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Oct
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, built for hummingbirds, with electric scarlet nectar tubes borne from Jul to Sep; happy in clay and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, hummingbird fuel — slender orange-red tubes too deep for most insects from Jun to Oct; 3–4 ft wide.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Oct
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, draws hummingbirds with orchid-pink nectar tubes from May to Sep; 15–25 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms May–Sep
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, hummingbirds work its lavender-blue flowers from Jun to Sep; spreading 1.5–2 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, a magnet for hummingbirds — deep blue-purple blooms held from May to Jul for them to probe — 12–18 in wide.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, built for hummingbirds, with bright yellow nectar tubes borne in Mar and Apr — spreading 3–5 ft.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 3–6 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
In Arizona's Sonoran & Chihuahuan deserts, Mogollon Rim, a hummingbird flower — pink-white tubular blooms in Apr and May — cold-hardy to zone 2.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Sourcing
Where to find these in Arizona
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.