Hummingbird Plants

Spikes up to 16-20" high are topped by clusters of tubular blue to blue-violet flowers with a contrasting white bee-guide are produced beginning as early as late spring but mainly in summer, occasionally into fall, and attract a variety of native bees along with larger butterflies. Helmet Skullcap, Scutellaria integrifolia, is a small, 12-20" high, clump forming to short rhizomatous perennial native from East Texas, all along the Gulf Coast and up the Eastern Seaboard into southern Massachussets and New York. This is a common component of the brightly lit understory in the Pineywoods and locally we typically see it in dryer or mesic uplands including hardwood and pineforests in well-drained loamy and sandy soils as well as in more moist sunnier sites. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. May reseed on exposed soils. Item# 12769

Clusters of red to red-orange, yellow to orange throated, tubular flowers are borne from spring to fall on established plants with the peak flowering season in early to mid spring and again in mid to late summer to fall. Honey Coral™Honeysuckle is a tame and manageable vine perfectly suited to fences and medium sized trellises and arbors. The flowers attract hummingbirds and occasional butterflies. Caterpillar host: Chalcedon Checkerspot. Pollinated flowers develop into clusters of clear red berries that make summer and fall fruit for songbirds. Their tame habit and long blooming season make the native Coral Honeysuckles an easy choice for covering a fence, arbor or trellis. Item# 11491

1" long tubular red to deep pinkish red flowers tipped in yellow are produced from spring to frost on low compact plants whose semi-trailing stems seem to be weighed down by the profusion of flowers. Along with Vermillionaire™, Honeybells™ Cuphea or Cigar Plant is one of the most exciting Cuphea hybrids to emerge in recent years! Its compact semi-weeping habit make it a perfect hanging basket or container specimen or place it near the front of the border in gardens and landscapes where it is sure to shine throughout the growing season. Honeybells™ Cigar Plant earned the Award of Distinction and the Classic City Award in the 2019 University of Georgia trials and received very high marks, 4.84 out of 5, in 2019 trials at Penn State. Provide a full sun to partly shaded location in an average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soil. The red tubular flowers are sure to draw in hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 11997

A sterile exceptionally free flowering Lantana with a compact well-branched habit and improved vigor over similar cultivars that has received high marks in trials across the US. Hot Blooded™ Red Lantana produces rounded clusters of flowers that open golden yellow, deepen to fiery orange and quickly darken to deep brilliant red. The compact habit lends this Lantana for use in containers as a specimen or in combinations as well as in formal and informal garden and landscape settings. Hot Blooded™ Red Lantana develops into a rounded mound of foliage covered in flowers from spring to fall and the flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other garden beneficials. Item# 12105

Spikes of red lipped, pure white or occasionally solid red, two-lipped tubular flowers are produced continuously from spring to fall on this durable drought and heat resistant perennial salvia. Hot Lips Salvia develops into a mounding upright to spreading plant that loves the heat and sun. It is considered a hybrid by some but most experts consider it to be a selection of Littleleaf Sage, S. microphylla. Its bicolor flowers attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, and larger bees. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile well-draining soil for optimum vigor and flower power. In areas that experience hard freezes plant this Salvia out between early spring to midsummer to ensure winter survival. Hot Lips Salvia was selected as a Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit Winner for 2015. Item# 3002

The conical flower clusters are composed of numerous fragrant purple flowers that are held against a contrasting foil of golden yellow foliage and attract a variety of pollinators from summer into fall. HUMDINGER® Gold Drop Butterfly Bush is heavier flowering, has better foliage color, and has a more compact habit than its predecessor Little Nugget. This is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub, to die-back perennial in zone 5-6, with a densely branching compact, naturallly rounded habit that matures to about 3'H x 3-4'W. The fragrant purple flowers attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other garden beneficals. The HUMDINGER® series of Butterfly Bushes were selected for their compact habit and excellent flower power lending them to use both in the garden and landscape as well as in containers. Provide a well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12901

Clusters of 2" deep reddish orange upward facing tubular blooms are born from summer to fall, making this a choice plant for fall migrating Hummingbirds. The bright nectar rich flowers are held on sturdy stems above the beautiful bluish gray velvety foliage on this tough little heat and sun loving perennial. Typically freezes to the ground in winter but readily returns in spring. Drought tolerant once well established and does best in well drained soils. Caterpillar host: White Peacock and Malachite. Item# 9563.

This plant covers up in 1" bright cherry red tubular flowers that are tipped in nicely contrasting sunny yellow and are sure to provide a feast of nectar for hummingbirds and other long-tongued pollinators. Hummingbird's Lunch Cuphea is a well-branched, naturally mounding plant to 24"H x 36"W that revels in the heat and sun of summer offering up a riot of continuous color for hanging baskets, window boxes, container specimens, in mixed container gardens as well as in the garden and landscape. This exciting new hybrid Cuphea has received top marks in trials across the US! Provide a full sun to part shade site in a well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of PlantHaven International, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12407

The bluest of the blues! Blue Arrowleaf Sage produces large branching clusters composed of dense spikes of 1" vivid cobalt blue tubular flowers that may be produced nearly throughout the year on this hybrid Salvia. Blue Arrowleaf Sage has large velvety arrowhead shaped aromatic foliage that seems to retain its tidiness throughout the growing season. The nectar rich flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Grow it in the garden or as as a medium-sized container plant. These amazing images were kindly taken and shared with us by Susan Whitney. Can you spot the Ruby Throat nectaring in the lower left corner? Item# 9949

Large clusters of deep red flowers with contrasting dark flecks on the three inner petals sit atop sturdy 10-14" high stems and are produced from late spring or early summer into fall attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Inca Bandit^™ Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lilies were developed for the garden and have proven to be vigorous and reliable perennials potentially into zone 6. This is a rhizomatous slowly spreading, sun to part shade tolerant perennial that can be utilized for summer to fall color in the garden and landscape as well as for showy, low-maintenance container specimens. Alstroemerias prefer an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil and tend to be sturdiest in sun to part shade locations. Where summers are hot consider providing shade or filtered shade during the hottest part of the day. These also serve as long-lasting and popular fresh cut flowers. Images courtesy of Könst Alstroemeria B.V., all rights reserved. Item# 12946

Large clusters of light and medium coral and apricot colored flowers with a yellow 'throat' and contrasting dark flecks on these same three inner petals and sit atop sturdy 8-12" high stems that are produced from late spring or early summer into fall attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Inca Husky^™ Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lilies were developed for the garden and have proven to be vigorous and reliable perennials potentially into zone 6. This is a compact growing, rhizomatous slowly spreading, sun to part shade tolerant perennial that can be utilized for summer to fall color in the garden and landscape as well as for showy, low-maintenance container specimens. Alstroemerias prefer an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil and tend to be sturdiest in sun to part shade locations. Where summers are hot consider providing shade or filtered shade during the hottest part of the day. These also serve as long-lasting and popular fresh cut flowers. Images courtesy of Könst Alstroemeria B.V., all rights reserved. Item# 12947

Large clusters of flowers that are composed of cherry red and deep pink outer tepals that subtend the darkly flecked cherry red and pink inner tepals are held on sturdy 8-12" high stems. From a distance the flowers tend to appear more red than pink. Flowering begins in spring or early summer and continues into fall attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Inca Lolly^™ Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lilies were developed for the garden and have proven to be vigorous and reliable perennials potentially into zone 6. This is a compact growing, rhizomatous slowly spreading, sun to part shade tolerant perennial that can be utilized for summer to fall color in the garden and landscape as well as for showy, low-maintenance container specimens. Alstroemerias prefer an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil and tend to be sturdiest in sun to part shade locations. Where summers are hot consider providing shade or filtered shade during the hottest part of the day. These also serve as long-lasting and popular fresh cut flowers. Images courtesy of Könst Alstroemeria B.V., all rights reserved. Item# 12949

Large clusters of flowers that are composed of soft primrose yellow outer tepals that subtend the darker yellow inner tepals which are flecked with contrasting dark flecks on 10-14" high stems. Flowering begins in spring or early summer and continues into fall attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Inca Sundance^™ Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lilies were developed for the garden and have proven to be vigorous and reliable perennials potentially into zone 6. This is a compact growing, rhizomatous slowly spreading, sun to part shade tolerant perennial that can be utilized for summer to fall color in the garden and landscape as well as for showy, low-maintenance container specimens. Alstroemerias prefer an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil and tend to be sturdiest in sun to part shade locations. Where summers are hot consider providing shade or filtered shade during the hottest part of the day. These also serve as long-lasting and popular fresh cut flowers. Images courtesy of Könst Alstroemeria B.V., all rights reserved. Item# 12948

An uncommon, but beautiful native perennial, producing upward facing coral-red tubular buds that open to show off the star-like flowers with a creamy yellow to greenish yellow throat. The unusual flowers are produced in large clusters and are born from spring to summer. An easy and reliable, clump forming native that slowly develops into a mass of sturdy stems with nearly every one topped by a beautiful inflorescence. Winter dormant. Item# 467.

2-3" long, deep purple, slightly flaring tubular flowers are produced in large hanging clusters designed for hummingbird pollination. One of the darkest Iochromas, Indigo is a prolific flowering selection on a vigorous growing upright to spreading, naturally evergreen tropical shrub. This miniature cousin of the Angel's Trumpet is easily enjoyed as a container plant where not hardy. Provide good drainage and fertile, average moist soil in partial to filtered sun for the best results. Iochroma, Tubeflower, or Mini Angel's Trumpets flower on new growth so keep them growing and healthy for and endless display. Item# 804

Long spikes of deep indigo, tubular flowers are borne continuously from spring to frost on this vigorous perennial Salvia. Indigo Spires has long been one of our favorites and is a reliable performer in the landscape producing a 3-4' high plant with medium green foliage. The nectar rich flowers provide fodder for a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, and a variety of bees but especially bumblebees in our gardens. The flower color may appear more purple or more blue to different people, in this case it is all in the eye of the beholder. Item# 13131

The 2-3" wide, white funnel shaped flowers are randomly flecked with pink to red and are produced in late spring. Iveryanum Azalea, a.k.a. Iveryana, is an heirloom dwarf Southern Indica hybrid developing into a 3' high mound of medium to deep green, medium textured, evergreen foliage. It lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12797

Jacob Cline is one of the more reliable selections of Scarlet Bee Balm producing large clusters of brilliant red tubular flowers atop sturdy 3-4' stems in summer. Considered to be one of the most vigorous and disease resistant cultivars available. A clump-forming, slowly spreading winter deciduous perennial that enjoys moist but well-drained soils and ample sunlight. A hummingbird magnet! Item# 10541.

The fringed recurving coral-red petals are unique to this Hibiscus species. The bright tropical flowers hang like Japanese lanterns from the vigorous branches throughout much of the year. An easily grown, free-flowering tropical, and a definite conversation piece. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.Still one of our favorites! Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item # 9246.

The top performer in both attracting pollinators and disease resistance in the Mt. Cuba Center's trials! Huge conical clusters of smaller than typical fragrant lavender-pink flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in midsummer and lasting into fall attracting a host of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. Jeana Garden Phlox is an exceptionally vigorous and free flowering selection of our native Phlox paniculata whose stems can touch on 5' by the end of the growing season. This is a hardy, clump forming, deciduous perennial preferring a full to mostly sunny site in an acidic, average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13194

The 2-3" wide mainly white flowers have a nicely contrasting deep cherry red blotch and flecks but are occasionally light pink to light lavender and are produced in mid to late spring. Johga Azalea, a sport of Izayoi and sometimes spelled 'Joga', is a dwarf Satsuki evergreen azalea that slowly develops into a 2-3' high mound of deep green medium-texured foliage. It lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12799

Along with the Coral Honeysuckles, this is easily our top recommended vine for attracting hummingbirds! The bright red, 2" long, tubular flowers are born in profusion from spring to fall on this vigorous but small growing perennial vine that appears to have been perfectly designed for hummingbirds. Few other manageable, perennial, hummingbird attracting vines can compete with the John Elsley Firecracker Vine, a selection of Manettia cordifolia, when it comes to sheer flower power! This is an easy to grow twining, herbaceous vine that dies to the ground in winter in the northern parts of its range and readily returns each spring from potato-like tubers. Easy enough to overwinter in a container indoors where hardiness is questionable. Item# 418

This easy Garden Phlox produces large domed clusters of dark-eyed, light pink, fragrant flowers on tall sturdy stems with mildew resistant foliage. The show starts in early summer and may continue nearly until the first frost with this reliable and fragrant Garden Phlox if deadheaded. Phlox is adored by butterflies and hummingbirds alike! John Fanick, named for the Texas nurseryman, is only one of a handful of Garden Phlox varieties recommended for southern gardens by noted Texas plantsman Greg Grant. Item# 10267