Plant attracts hummingbirds: 10 Great Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds

10 Great Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds

By

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She’s also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie’s garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.

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Editorial Process

Updated on 06/28/22

Reviewed by

Julie Thompson-Adolf

Reviewed by
Julie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author with over 30 years of experience in year-round organic gardening; seed starting, growing heirlooms, and sustainable farming.

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Review Board

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Seeing a hummingbird darting through your garden is as delightful as seeing your flowers burst into bloom. To attract hummingbirds and keep them coming back to your garden regularly, make sure that, along with hummingbird feeders, you include a few hummingbird plants in your design.

What makes a plant a hummingbird favorite? It needs to be nectar-rich and preferably tubular in shape, which encourages the tiny birds to feed. Some popular choices are outlined below.

• 01
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  Agastache (Agastache spp.)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  There are many varieties of Agastache, and all of them are high in nectar. Sunset Hyssop (Agastache rupestris), shown here, is part of a group sometimes called the hummingbird mints. These flowers are also butterfly magnets.

  More border plants that are open invitations to hummingbirds are bee balm (Monarda hybrids), which also lives up to its name and attracts bees by the hiveful; and those towers of flowers like delphinium, hollyhocks, and foxgloves.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 5 to 10
  Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: Summer into fall

• 02
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Cardinal Flowers are a great choice for adding drama to a shady corner. Hummingbirds can spot their vivid red flowers no matter where you tuck them. And they are native plants in many areas.

  Another native plant choice, also great for partial shade, is red columbine. Hummingbirds adore the sweet nectar and appreciate the early-blooming food source.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 2 to 9
  Exposure: Full sun to partial shade (needs more shade in hot climates areas)
  Bloom Period: Summer into fall

• 03
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Who would have thought the delicate flowers of coral bells would be large enough to attract hummingbirds? Coral bells are a favorite of hummingbirds, but they only bloom once a season, and many gardeners cut them off in order to divert energy into the plant’s leaves. If you want hummers to visit you, let the plants bloom.

  There are many great perennials that will keep your hummingbirds happy. Choose a hosta with beautiful flowers, like the sweet-smelling Hosta plantaginea. Or try one of the long bloomers like lupine and liatris.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: late spring/ early summer

• 04
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  The Spruce / Autumn Wood

  Four o’clocks do not open until late in the afternoon, but they are worth waiting for. Their tubular flowers are perfectly shaped for visiting hummingbirds.

  If you’d like to get an earlier start, morning glories (Ipomoea tricolor) open with the sun and remain open until the afternoon heat. They also re-seed readily on their own, so although they are annuals, you often only need to plant them once. Be careful: morning glories can quickly overtake your garden.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 7 to 11
  Exposure: full sun
  Bloom Period: mid-summer

• 05
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  There are more than 100 species of fuchsia. Most of them are tropical or semi-tropical tender perennials and are grown in many areas as annuals, but there are a few cultivars that are hardy to zone 6. The trailing varieties are perfect for hanging baskets and can attract a wide variety of visitors, wherever you hang them.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 6 to 11​
  Exposure: partial shade
  Bloom Period: mid-summer into fall

• 06
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Lantana is a plant recommended for novice gardeners. It is a striking plant, and if you are lucky enough to be growing it in USDA zone 7b or higher, you can grow it into a shrub or even a standard the size of a small tree. The rest of us can still enjoy it as an annual. It’s also nice in containers.

  For those in cooler climates, try rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), also a woody shrub capable of being trained into a small tree and covered in flowers for weeks on end.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 7b to 11 ​
  Exposure: full sun
  Bloom Period: summer into fall

  Some trailing varieties of lantana work well in containers or hanging baskets. 

• 07
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Who hasn’t grown petunias? They’re a garden staple. The flowers are also the perfect shape for a hummingbird dinner. Some of the newer varieties are not particularly fragrant and may not have as much nectar as the older open-pollinated varieties, but give them a try.

  Petunias naturally trail, making them great for hanging baskets. If you’d like a longer vine for trailing or climbing, some good choices include canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum), cardinal vine/ cypress vine (Ipomoea sloteri), and the quick growing scarlet runner bean.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11, usually grown as an annual
  Exposure: full sun
  Bloom Period: spring through fall

  This plant works welling in containers or hanging baskets. 

• 08
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  New salvia varieties are constantly being introduced, and they are wonderful for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your gardens. Whether the blues of mealy cup sage (Salvia farinacea), ‘Black and Blue’ anise sage (Salvia guaranitica), or scarlet lady in red, these hummingbird plants will bloom virtually non-stop throughout the season.

  Although gardeners might take impatiens for granted, hummingbirds see them for the treat they are. Another annual hummingbird plant that has been in gardens for generations is flowering tobacco or nicotiana.

  Hardiness: varies by species; ranges from zone 5 to 10
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: spring through fall

  This plant works welling in containers.  

• 09
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Snapdragon flowers only snap shut on children’s fingers—a fact that generally delights them. Hummingbirds can navigate them with ease. Snapdragons are cool-season bloomers, attracting the first hummers to visit your garden and making an encore at the end of the season.

  Bleeding heart (Dicentra species) are equally charming to both gardener and hummingbird and, like snapdragons, they prefer cool spring weather.

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 8 to 9
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade
  Bloom Period: prefers the cool seasons of spring and fall

  This plant works welling in containers. 

• 10
  of 10

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Weigela is making a big comeback after being written off as a stuffy old shrub. New varieties have colorful and/or cut-leaf foliage, giving them a long season of interest. Most also have flowers with the tubular shape favored by hummingbirds.

  Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is an even earlier bloomer, and butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) will bloom throughout most of the summer, (Note, buddleia has become invasive in some areas.)

  Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9
  Exposure: full sun to partial shade ​
  Bloom Period: late spring/ early summer

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Butterflybush. University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

Top 10 Trees That Attract Hummingbirds

By

Vanessa Richins Myers

Vanessa Richins Myers

Vanessa Richins Myers has a BS in horticulture and over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener.

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Editorial Process

Updated on 05/17/22

Mark Newman / Getty Images

Hummingbirds are highly prized visitors in the garden. These inquisitive little birds zip around from flower to flower in search of nectar. Use these ten trees to help attract hummingbirds to your yard and avoid using any chemicals on them to prevent inadvertently harming the birds.

You will want to provide a source of water for the hummingbirds and hummingbird feeders can also help to attract more of these flying jewels.

• 01
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Spring crabapple trees burst into bloom in shades of white, red, and pink. As a bonus, crabapples can pollinate most kinds of apple trees within a certain radius, which is potentially beneficial for both you and your neighbors.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11, depending on cultivar
  • Size: Depends on cultivar
  • Exposure: Full sun 

• 02
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  This is one of the earliest plants to bloom each year, covering the branches with little pink flowers that stand out even more since they appear before the heart-shaped leaves. One distinctive cultivar is called ‘Forest Pansy’ and produces purple foliage.

  The western redbud can also attract hummingbirds.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Size: 20 to 30 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide
  • Exposure: Full sun-part shade

• 03
  of 10

  Patti Manolis/ Flickr/ CC BY 2.0

  If you live in a warmer climate, one of the eucalyptus trees can offer scarlet blossoms to your hummingbird visitors. Some species can handle temperatures that are a bit cooler.

  • USDA Growing Zones: Varies by species, mostly in the warmer zones, with some as low as Zone 7.
  • Size: Varies by species
  • Exposure: Full sun

• 04
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  The blossoms on the English hawthorn can be either white or pink. Once they are pollinated, they will form red pome fruit.

  Other species of Crataegus trees also attract hummingbirds.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-8
  • Size: 15 to 25 feet tall and wide
  • Exposure: Full sun

• 05
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Every spring the horse chestnut forms tall upright clusters of white flowers. It can become invasive under the right growing conditions, so you may want to ask your local horticulturist to see if that is the case in your area.

  Also consider Aesculus x carnea, which is a cross between a horse chestnut and red buckeye.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 through 7
  • Size: 50 to 75 feet tall and 40 to 70 feet wide
  • Exposure: Full sun 

• 06
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  The northern catalpa bears large clusters of blossoms that are somewhat like orchids. Other notable features include footlong leaves and bean-like fruit that can be almost two feet long.

  You could also grow Southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) to attract hummingbirds.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 through 8
  • Size: 40 to 70 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide
  • Exposure: Full sun 

• 07
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  This relative of the horse chestnut is also favored by hummingbirds. It may be either a small tree or a large shrub. All parts of the tree are poisonous.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 through 9
  • Size: Can be a shrub or small tree. Usually 10 to 25 feet tall and wide, but can grow over 30′ tall sometimes.
  • Exposure: Full sun, part shade

• 08
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  The silk tree is covered in an abundance of pink blossoms that look like powder puffs. Although it can be invasive or otherwise problematic in some areas, it can thrive under poor conditions and can be a useful tree.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 6-9
  • Size: 20 to 40 feet tall and wide, sometimes growing larger
  • Exposure: Full sun

• 09
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  The Spruce / K. Dave

  Like other members of the Ericaceae family, the strawberry tree bears clusters of lovely bell-shaped white flowers. They are followed by attractive round orange and red fruit.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 8 through 10
  • Size: 8 to 30 feet tall and wide, depends on the variety
  • Exposure: Full sun to partial shade 

• 10
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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  The blossoms on the tulip tree are yellow and orange and do resemble tulips. The leaves are also shaped somewhat like that flower.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 through 9
  • Size: 80 to 100 feet tall and 40 feet wide
  • Exposure: Full to partial sun 

How to Make a Hummingbird Garden

Flowers Attract Hummingbirds: Best Choice 💡 Gardening | HomeInteriorz.com

• 10 colors commonly used to attract hummingbirds:
• Best choice for herbaceous perennial flowers
• Best choice for shrubs, vineyards and trees
• Butterfly and Hummingbird Landscape Plan

90 011

For those Those who love both gardening and birdwatching are lucky that there are so many hummingbird attracting plants from which to choose. Birdwatchers wishing to paint these nectar-colored beauties need not sacrifice the beauty of the landscape. This is one of those happy coincidences in life: many of the plants skillfully attract Our note is also considered one of the best colors for painting hummingbirds craving the food they carry.

The variety of plants to attract hummingbirds is so great that in the process of creating a hummingbird garden you can also build a landscape that speaks of the surroundings. When choosing flowers for such gardens, you are not limited to using red flowers, although the color red is known for drawing the attention of these winged wonders. In the following list of colors commonly used to attract hummingbirds, you’ll see a variety of red flowers, as well as flowers in purple, white, orange, pink, and blue. They are all rich in nectar, food for hummingbirds par excellence .

Also, don’t choose plants suitable for your hummer garden solely on the flower. Plants have many other qualities that make them more or less compatible with your specific wants and needs. Take advantage of the variety of plant types available at your local garden center so you can achieve a well-rounded landscape.

Annuals and perennials, vines, shrubs, trees, bedding and hanging plants: You can choose from all of these categories when choosing flowers to attract hummingbirds. The following are some criteria to consider when choosing plants (besides the obvious, being able to bring hummers into your yard):

1. Variety: To increase the landscaping options, I deliberately chose different sizes, shapes, etc.
2. Vibrant bloom.
3. Easy to service and fit.
4. Color selection inside the view.
5. Foliage appeal.
6. Early flowering or long flowering period.

10 colors commonly used to attract hummingbirds:

1. Bee Balm
2. Columbine Red
3. Dolphin and Hollyhock
4. Butterfly Bush (in some cases invasive)
5. Rhododendron Katwa
6. Rose of Sharon
7. Trumpet Vine, Tube Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle (all unfortunately aggressive and/or invasive)
8. Cardinal vine
9. Lantana and fuchsia
10. Silk tree (unfortunately invasive)

Best choice among herbaceous perennials

These 10 plants do not rank in competitive order, but rather are organized in greenery groups: i. e., according to how they are used in landscape. We start with three herbaceous plants suitable for perennial beds. Later we will look at shrubs and vines most suitable for attracting hummingbirds before I conclude with observations of two hanging plants and a tree suitable for a hummingbird garden.

Long flowering perennial, bee balm ( Monarda didyma ) is an excellent choice for USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9. This member of the mint family blooms red or light purple and loves soil that is slightly acidic.

Red kolbbin ( Aquilegia canadense ) is a perennial flower for zones 2-8 and an early flower that is adept at attracting hummingbirds who are just beginning to return north from their winter homes.

Delphinium and hollyhock are two traditional favorites in perennial beds, both of which provide food for hummingbirds. The significance of these two plants in landscape design certainly comes in part from the heights they reach. Some delphiniums can be grown in zones 2-9 and often grow to 5 feet or more. Hollyhawks ( Alcea ) often outgrow even delphiniums and are hardy to zone 3. Technically biennial, homemade hollyhawks are so easy to handle that they are usually handled as if they were perennials. Both delphiniums and hollyhocks come in a variety of colors and, thanks to their majestic stature, are an excellent choice to form the back row of a tiered perennial bed.

The best choice among shrubs, vineyards and trees

The shrub that was the main place in the hummingbird gardens is the butterfly bush ( Buddleja davidii ). The butterfly bush can reach 6-12 feet in height and have a spread of 4-15 feet in warm climates. This is too large for some growers (especially those with small yards), so consider cutting it to the ground in late winter or early spring. It will re-emerge from its root system.

If you need an extra incentive to prune your butterfly shrub, be aware that the flowers tend to be larger and more prolific on new butterfly growth. You essentially want to treat the butterfly bush as if it were an herbaceous perennial, not a shrub. Flowers on butterfly bushes can be purple, pink, white, or red, and they usually have an orange “throat” in the center. Grow these shrubs in zones 5-10. Unfortunately, the butterfly bush is now considered an invasive plant in some areas, including the Pacific Northwest. A new variety called “Blue Chip” was touted as a non-invasive alternative.

Catawba Rhododendrons ( Rhododendron catawbiense ) are broad-leaved evergreen shrubs with dark green, leathery foliage and showy flowers in spring that are effective in attracting hummingbirds. This rhododendron shrub is easy to transplant, but requires acidic soil. The flowers can be white, lavender, pink or red, which hummingbirds love to find in the garden. Katuba rotodendron bushes can reach a height of 6-8 feet with a spread of 4-6 feet. Rhododendron display is most effective when rhododendron bushes are clustered together. Warning: This shrub is toxic – do not let children ingest any parts of the plant. Zones 4-8.

Rose of Sharon ( Hibiscus syriacus ) is a late flowering shrub with an upright habit that can reach a height of 8-10 feet with a spread of 4-6 feet. These shrubs benefit from pruning. Flowers can be red, pink, blue or white. They work well in shrub borders. Zones 5-9.

Trumpet vine ( Campcy radicans ) produces orange or reddish-orange salmon flowers during most of the summer months.

Zones 4-9. Give him a gazebo, trellis or fence and let her climb! This vigorous vine plant needs to be pruned to keep it “within the bounds”. Indeed, even in the southeastern US state (to which it is native), this vine is sometimes considered a weed. This vine can be too aggressive for many gardeners, so don’t grow it unless you want it to pop up all over your yard.

Meanwhile, honeysuckle Magnifica ( Lonicera sempervirens “Magnifica”) with large scarlet flowers that attract hummingbirds can be grown in zones 3-9. Unlike the pipe vine, this plant is a true slider, which means that it takes a bit more maintenance to get it up on the trellis, thus achieving the maximum display effect. Lonicera sempervirens is sometimes called “honeysuckle trumpeter” so don’t confuse it with pipevine. Both may have “trumpet” in their common names, but as you can see from their scientific names, they are two completely different plants. Japanese honeysuckle (or Hall’s honeysuckle) is prized for its tricolor flower show.

As the name suggests, the cardinal vine ( Ipomoea x multifida ) has a striking red bloom. The cardinal vine should be considered an annual zone 6 north. Do not confuse this plant with the “cardinal flower” ( Lobelia cardinalis ), a perennial (zones 2-7), which also attracts hummingbirds. Because it likes moist soil, Lobelia cardinalis is an excellent choice for a water garden rim.

These vines and shrubs are essential for those who want to combine effective landscaping with the hobby of watching hummingbirds or butterflies. Bushes can be used as structural elements to form a border to separate two properties. They can be similarly used on your own property to define separate open spaces. Even a driveway can be transformed from a complex landscape component into an aesthetic achievement if limited to attractive bushes. A vine-lined gazebo can also be an important structural element of a landscape, providing it with a focal point.

Lantana plants ( Lantana Camara ), sometimes confusingly called “vervain bushes”, are perennials in zones 8-10. But in colder climates, lanthanum plants are more commonly used as annuals for hanging baskets. ‘Sunset Blooming’ has a flower with golden centers surrounded by orange, which later fades to pink. Like most entries listed so far, lanthanum plants are sun lovers. For landscapers looking for shade-loving substitutes, fuchsia hangers are the answer. The latter attract hummingbirds, while lantana plants are especially favored by butterflies.

I also mentioned tree which attracts hummingbirds. The silk tree, or “mimosa” ( Albizia julibrissin ), is a member of the pea family. At the southern end of its range, this vigorous exotic plant (from China) naturalizes quickly in areas disturbed by humans. As such, it is often seen as an invasive pest in the southeastern United States, for example; exercise caution. But its plump pink flowers are fragrant, and its nectar attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Zones 6-9.

Butterfly and Hummingbird Landscape Plan

When drawing up a landscape plan to determine what is going on in a new landscape design, landscape designers divide the property into “activity zones”. For hummingbird and butterfly watchers, these activity areas should focus on viewing hummingbirds and butterflies as they feed on your plant nectar. It is with this in mind that I have put so much variety into this Top 10 list. Different types of plants will perform different functions on our butterfly and hummingbird landscape:

• Selected vine plants must be allowed to grow on arbors for maximum impact. Position the gazebo in your landscape plan so you can watch hummingbirds and butterflies from a window inside your home.
• Selected shrub plants can be gathered at the border to form sheltered areas for your winged creatures. Breaking up a large flat space is an important consideration – not just for landscaping in general, but especially when trying to attract wildlife.
• Draw a patio in your plan for placing your chosen hanging plants. Imagine having a coffee on your patio and seeing a beautiful butterfly or hummingbird on a hanging plant right in front of you or above you! If your patio will be shaded, use fuchsia hangers rather than lantana. It is often convenient to combine patios and gazebos as the gazebo will give you a place from which to hang your patio hanging plants.
• The plants mentioned at the beginning of the article are intended for perennial flower beds. This will be the final touch to your landscape, which will be implemented at the very end. You would like to work on the hardscape elements first, such as the pergola and patio mentioned above. Next will come the planting of large plants such as silk tree and shrubs. Only after all this hard work is done do you want to plant your perennials on beds or hang your lantana plants – otherwise you would unnecessarily put fragile plants at risk of damage.

Video instruction: Hummingbird. Hummingbird..

Best Plants To Attract Hummingbirds 💡 Gardening | EN.HomeInteriorz.com

• Hummingbird Plants

  Watching the birds sway in your garden is as good as seeing your flowers bloom. In order to attract hummingbirds and bring them back to your garden regularly, you will need to include a few hummingbirds in your design. What makes a plant a hummingbird’s favorite? It should be nectar and preferably tubular. The following pages feature 10 hummingbird plants that match the bill. Plants with an asterisk (*) are great for containers or hanging baskets.

• Agastache

  There are many varieties of Agastache and they are all high in nectar. Agastache rupestris , shown here, is part of a group called the Hummingbird mint. They are also magnetic butterflies.

  More frontier plants that are open invitations to hummingbirds are bee balm (Monarda hybrids) which also lives up to its name and attracts hive bees as well as flower towers, Delphinium, Hollyhawks and Foxgloves.

  Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 – 10
  Exposure : Full sun to partial shade
  Flowering Period: Summer to Fall

• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

  Cardinal Flowers are a great choice for adding drama to a shady corner. Hummingbirds can see their bright red flowers no matter where you stick them. And they are native plants in many areas.

  Another planting choice, also excellent for partial shade, is columbine red. The red columbine is so sweet, children often compete with hummingbirds by pulling flowers for that precious drop of nectar.

  Hardiness: USDA Zones 2 – 9
  Exposure : Full sun to partial shade (requires more shade in dry areas)
  Flowering Period: Summer to Fall

• 9020 1 Coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea)

  Who would have thought that delicate coral bell flowers would be large enough to attract hummingbirds? Coral bells are a favorite of hummingbirds, but they only bloom once a season, and many gardeners cut them off to put energy into the plant’s leaves. If you want hummers to visit you, let them bloom.

  There are many great perennials that will keep your hummingbirds happy. Choose a Hosta with beautiful flowers like Sweet Smell Hosta plantaginea . Or try one of those long blouses, Lupins, Larkspur and Liatris.

  Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 – 8
  Exposure : Full sun to partial shade O’Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)

  Four O’Clocks don’t open until late at night, but they’re worth the wait. Their tubular flowers are perfect for visiting hummingbirds.

  If you want to get an early start, morning glory ( Ipomoea tricolor ) open with the sun and stay open until the midday heat. They also re-harvest easily on their own, so although they are annuals, you often have to plant them once.

  Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 – 11
  Exposure : Full sun
  Flowering period: Midsummer

• * fuchsia

  There are more than 100 types of fuchsia. Most are tropical or semi-tropical and are grown as annuals in many areas. The final varieties are perfect for hanging baskets and can attract a lot of visitors wherever you hang them.

  Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 – 9
  Impact : Partial shade
  Flowering period: Midsummer to autumn

• * Lantana (Lantana Camara)

  Lantana was one of those plants that our readers recommended starting gardeners. This is an amazing plant, and if you happen to grow it in USDA Zone 8, you can grow it in a shrub or even a standard size small tree. The rest of us can still enjoy this annual. It’s also good in containers.

  For those in cooler climates, try Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), also a woody shrub that can learn to become a small tree and bloom for weeks on end.

  Hardiness: USDA Zones 9 – 11
  Exposure : Full Sun
  Flowering Period: Summer to Fall

• * Petunia

  Who hasn’t grown petunias? This is a garden item. Flowers are also the perfect form for a hummingbird dinner. Some of the newer varieties are not particularly aromatic and may not have as much nectar as the older, inexperienced varieties, but give them a try.

  Petunias are natural creepers and are often used in hanging baskets. If you need a longer vine for trailing or climbing, some good options include * Canary Creeper ( Tropaeolum peregrinum ), * Cardinal Vine / Cypress Vine ( Ipomoea sloteri ) and the fast growing Scarlet Runner bean.

  Hardiness: annual
  Exposure : Full sun
  Flowering period: Spring through autumn

• * Savlia (Salvia varieties)

  New varieties of Salvia are being introduced all the time and they are wonderful for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your gardens. Whether the cartoon blues ( Salvia farinacea ), the Black and Blue Anise Sage ( Salvia guaranitica ) or the scarlet lady in red, these hummingbird plants will be blue almost non-stop throughout the season.

  While gardeners may take *Impatiens for granted, hummingbirds see them for pleasure. Another annual hummingbird plant that has been in gardens for generations is tobacco blossom or Nicotiana.

  Hardiness: annual
  Exposure : Full sun to partial shade
  Flowering period: Spring through autumn

• * Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) 90 041

  The Snapdragon flowers just snapped onto children’s fingers. Hummingbirds can easily navigate them. Snapdragons are cool seasonal bloomers, attracting the first hummers to visit your garden and make an end-of-season encore.

  Bleeding Heart ( Dicanthra ) are equally charming to gardeners and hummingbirds alike and, like snapdragons, prefer cool spring weather.

  Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 – 9
  Exposure : Full sun to partial shade Weigela (Weigela varieties)

  Weigela makes great a comeback after being written off as stuffy old bush.