The following is a list of favorite hummingbird plants. It includes both native and non-native plants. Also check out our Gardening for Wildlife Plant List.
CommonName | Latin Name | Comments |
Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis | A number 1 choice, a real beauty too |
Bee Balm | Monarda didyma | Spreads pretty quickly each year by seeds |
Evening Primrose | Oenothera biennis | Pretty yellow flowers |
Jewelweed | Impatiens capensis | A critical plant for their fall migration |
Butterflyweed | Asclepias tuberosa | Also serves as host plant to Monarch caterpillars |
Beardtongue | Penstamon digitalis | A real favorite |
Monkey Flower | Mimulus ringens | Grows throughout the US, esp. wet areas |
Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | Search for the native varieties-Windy Hill had some |
Thistle | Cirsium spp. | Can be difficult to grow. Native and non-native varieties available |
Azalea | Rhododendron catawbiense | Look for native azaleas/rhododendrons-they do better and are not favored by deer |
Trumpet Vine | Campsis radicans | Needs a sturdy place to vine, beautiful once established, one of the best hummer plants! |
Lupine | Lupinus perennis | Can be difficult to get established |
New Jersey Tea | Ceanothus americanus | Good for wildlife, horticulture and conservation |
Spiked Blazing Star | Liatris spicata | Pretty purple blooms |
Glossy abelia | Abelia grandiflora | Semi-evergreen shrub, produces lots of white flowers |
Red hot Poker | Knophofia uvaria | Not native to our area but the bright red attracts the hummers, blooms through summer |
Hollyhocks | Alcea rosea | Pretty for the informal garden, big flowers |
Rosemary | Grevillea rosmarininifolia | Not native to our area, but may make it through winter |
Delphinium | Delphinium elatum | Elegant tall spires of flowers |
Verbena | Verbena canadensis | Native to the SW, creeps & cascades, may over winter |
Coral Bells | Heuchera sanguinea | Dainty appearance |
Lantana | Lantana camara | Not native to our area and may die in winter |