Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its red flowers carried from Apr to Jul; 12–18 in wide.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jul
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- By state
- New Mexico
- Hummingbirds
New Mexico · Zones 4–8
Native Hummingbird Plants in New Mexico
Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. Every species here is genuinely native to New Mexico and the wider flora of the desert Southwest and hardy through zones 4–8 — proven performers for New Mexico's arid, high-elevation sun climate across Chihuahuan desert & Southern Rockies, not a generic list. Local standouts include Western Columbine and Firecracker Penstemon. 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
17 native species for New Mexico
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 4–8 · see this collection in other states.
Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
Hummingbird fuel — slender scarlet tubes too deep for most insects from Mar to May; hardy in zones 4–9.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Draws hummingbirds with electric scarlet nectar tubes from Jul to Sep; hardy in zones 3–9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Built for hummingbirds, with lavender nectar tubes borne from Jun to Aug; 1.5–2 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
Tubular orchid-pink flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from May to Sep — cold-hardy to zone 7.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms May–Sep
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Draws hummingbirds with orange-red nectar tubes from Jun to Oct, for sand, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Oct
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Built for hummingbirds, with white nectar tubes borne from Jun to Aug — 5–10 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Built for hummingbirds, with deep blue nectar tubes borne in Aug and Sep, happy in clay and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Hummingbirds work its white flowers in May and Jun — for clay, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Autumn Sage
Salvia greggii
Draws hummingbirds with red nectar tubes from Apr to Oct, spreading 2–3 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Oct
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
A magnet for hummingbirds — red blooms held from Apr to Jun for them to probe, spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Draws hummingbirds with lavender-blue nectar tubes from Jun to Sep — hardy in zones 4–9.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
Tubular deep blue-purple flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from May to Jul; for sand, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Draws hummingbirds with pink nectar tubes in Aug and Sep, spreading 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Draws hummingbirds with frothy white nectar tubes from May to Jul, good through zone 8.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Hummingbird fuel — slender pink-white tubes too deep for most insects in Apr and May — 3–6 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its bright yellow flowers carried in Mar and Apr — 3–5 ft wide.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 3–6 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Sourcing
Where to find these in New Mexico
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.