Salvia splendens favorite hummingbird plant

Albizia julibrissin is hummingbird magnet, potentially invasive in some areas

Many lists of hummingbird plants available in books, on the internet, and at garden centers aren’t very good hummer plants (e.g. petunias, daylillies).  Inclusion of whole genera (e.g. Penstemon or Aquilegia) is not correct as only a few species supply ample quality nectar to hummingbirds.

Creating a definitive list of the best hummingbird plants is nearly impossible as hummer species have different taste buds regionally. Note that preferred flowers  are tubular shaped and bloom in the summer. In addition, North American native plants are more to their liking than Asian or European species. Warning: some plant genera may be potentially invasive.

There are 115 genera and 330 species of hummingbirds worldwide. However, fewer than two dozen species spend summers in the U.S. and Canada, and very few species remain year-round. Most spend winters in Central America or Mexico and migrate north to their breeding grounds in the southern and western U.S. as early as February, and to areas further north later in the spring.

Perennials

• Native Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
• Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea) – fancy-foliaged cultivars provide less nectar
• Red Beardtongue (Penstemon barbatus)
• Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
• Hollyhock (Alcea)
• Delphinium

Annuals—some are perennials in southern climes where they are and bloom in the summer and early fall.

• Salvia –several species such as Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans), Scarlet sage (S. coccinea) or (S. splendens), Anise sage (S. guaranitica), Autumn sage (S. greggii)
• Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana)  – some, but not all attract hummers.
• Canna (Canna indica) – short growing, small red flowers.

Vines—many good options here, both woody perennial vines and annuals

• Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)
• Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
• Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) – Hybrid and Asian cultivars not as attractive to hummers.
• Annual vines  – Spanish Flag (Mina lobata) and Cardinal vine (Ipomoea x multifida)

Trees/Shrubs

• Red horsechestnut (Aesculus pavia)
• Silk Tree (Albisia julibrissin)
• Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
• Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense)
• Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
• Weigela (W. florida)
• Asian honeysuckles (Lonicera)
• Lilacs (Syringa spp.) –  select brightly colored