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Washington · Zones 4–8

Native Hummingbird Plants in Washington

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 Washington and the wider flora of the Pacific Northwest and hardy through zones 4–8 — proven performers for Washington's wet maritime west, dry east climate across Puget lowland, Cascades & Columbia Plateau, not a generic list. Local standouts include Western Columbine and Red-Flowering Currant. 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

7 native species for Washington

Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 4–8 · see this collection in other states.

Perennial wildflower

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

A magnet for hummingbirds — red blooms held from Apr to Jul for them to probe; happy in rocky and loam soil.

  • Part shade
  • Average
  • 1.5–3 ft
  • Blooms Apr–Jul
Shrub

Red-Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum

A magnet for hummingbirds — rose-pink blooms held in Mar and Apr for them to probe — reaching 5–9 ft.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry–average
  • 5–9 ft
  • Blooms Mar–Apr
Evergreen shrub

Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium

A magnet for hummingbirds — bright yellow blooms held in Mar and Apr for them to probe, for rocky and loam ground.

  • Sun to shade
  • Dry–average
  • 3–6 ft
  • Blooms Mar–Apr
Evergreen groundcover

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its pink-white flowers carried in Apr and May, hardy in zones 2–6.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry
  • 4–8 in
  • Blooms Apr–May
Evergreen shrub

Hairy Manzanita

Arctostaphylos columbiana

Hummingbird fuel — slender pink-white tubes too deep for most insects from Mar to May; happy in sand, rocky, and loam soil.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry
  • 3–9 ft
  • Blooms Mar–May
Sourcing

Where to find these in Washington

Seeds & live plants on Amazon

Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.

Browse on Amazon

Some 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.