I read recently that there are at least 150 North American flowering plants that seem specialized to attract hummingbirds. What works in one area however may not do so in another. So you must do some research into what plants will work best in your area. Start by considering some of those shown below along with the plants that will complement them and may do double duty in bringing hummingbirds to your gardens.

* Watch for the animated hummingbird and butterfly with the plants that attract them. *
The deer icon indicates plants that deer are not usually attracted to.

The best time and method to propagate plants can be found on our image-intensive PROPAGATION page.

To help your plants grow their best, check out our FERTILIZATION page.

To create your own plant partnerships based on tried and true color theory, check out our GARDEN COLOR page.

To see if a particular plant is on this page press Ctrl+F, type in the name, then click the Find button.

AGASTACHE

Wonderful colour, beautiful form and heady aroma are all attributes of the Hyssop genus. Plants will attract birds, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds with their nectar-rich flowers. Hummers are highly attracted to plants with red, orange or pink flowers. Blue flowers are especially attractive to butterflies.

Agastache foeniculum:  in general, profuse bloom into the fall season

uses:  mixer or filler in summer and fall borders, in containers, flower arrangements
combined with other long-blooming perennials:  Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain', S. x 'Scarlet Spires',
S. guaranitica 'Argentine Skies'
with:  Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'Andre Chaudron', Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low'
with:  Achillea i.e. 'Summer Pastels', 'Feuerland' or 'Anblo'
with:  Origanum 'Rosenkuppel' (Ornamental Oregano), Kniphofia i.e. 'Little Maid', 'Bees' Sunset', 'Strawberries and Cream'
in front of perennials with gray foliage:  Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
for contrast against silver-foliaged plants:  Perovskia 'Longin' (silvery-white stems)
for contrast in front of burgundy foliage:  Euphorbia dulcis 'Chameleon', Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black'
with clumping ornamental grass:  Helictotrichon sempervirens, Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' (copper-red)
to complement a companion herb:  Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue'
with fall-blooming perennials:  Aster laevis 'Bluebird', Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite',
Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome', Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'
in pots or containers with:  annuals and tender perennials such as Solenostemon (Coleus)

There are many species and cultivars to choose from, in a variety of colours, most of which will look wonderful with any of the combinations suggested above. The forms below are just a few to watch for. For images of variously-coloured forms of this perennial visit the North Creek Nurseries site, then scroll down to the Agastache section.

• A. foeniculum 'Fragrant Delight':  seed strain, 20-40", white, blue, red, yellow or pink, foliage scented like anise,
  peppermint, spearmint or licorice
• Agastache x 'Blue Fortune':  powder-blue flowers, deep green foliage, 36"x18", mid-summer bloom, dry to medium soil,
  full sun to light shade
• Agastache nepetoides:  Giant Yellow Hyssop, 5-6'x18"
• Agastache rugosa 'Golden Jubilee':  the first chartreuse-foliaged form, 24-36", soft blue flowers, sun to part shade,
  mid to late summer bloom, for mid-border, self-seeds "true"
• Agastache rugosa 'Honey':  3', silvery-green foliage, attracts goldfinches, blue flowers
• Agastache rugosa 'Honey Bee Blue':  24-36"x18-24", intense blue flowers, gray-green foliage
• Agastache rupestris:  Sunset Hyssop, 15", sun to part shade, mid-summer to fall bloom,
  thread-like gray-green foliage, provide rich, well-drained soil
• Agastache rupestris 'Apache Sunset':  20", bright orange flowers, aromatic gray foliage

For even more forms of Hyssop, follow the link to the Hardy Plants site. Once there, click on the Seeds A link, then the genus Agastache, and delight in all the possible choices.

ALCEA

The perfect cottage garden plant, the Hollyhock is considered a biennial or short-lived perennial. Good air circulation is a must, although protection from wind is also essential. Hollyhocks are best closely spaced, 2 to 3 feet apart. Top dress the site in spring with compost, manure or a balanced organic fertilizer. Water deeply only in dry weather. At other times excess water can be fatal.

Alcea:  Hollyhock

synonym:  Althaea
where:  at rear of borders, along fences or walls
behind:  Paeonia
beside:  Echinops ritro, Digitalis
behind bushy perennials:  Platycodon grandiflorus

behind:  Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate'

• orange Hollyhocks
• pink Hollyhocks
• red Hollyhocks
• white Hollyhocks
• yellow Hollyhocks

AQUILEGIA

The early-blooming flowers of the Columbine provide a rich nectar source for hummingbirds in late spring to early summer when few other sources are available in the garden. Although short-lived, from 2 to 4 years in good garden conditions, they add a definite charm wherever they are planted. In full sun plants will be more robust, will provide more bloom and remain more compact. In partial shade expect flowers to last longer due to the protection the shade provides from heat. When the base of older plants becomes woody and blooms are reduced in number it is time to replace with new young plants.

Aquilegia alpina:  Alpine Columbine, bright blue

with:  Aurinia saxatilis

note:  this is a long-lived form
with:  most of the rose-coloured June-blooming perennials

where :  in dappled shade at woodland edges
with :  spring wildflowers, ferns, Hosta spp.
with :  Heuchera, Helleborus, Phlox divaricata
with :  Iberis, Dicentra, Iris, Lupinus, Papaver, Mertensia virginica
behind:  clumps of taller ferns, to hide leaf miner damage to basal foliage i.e. Aquilegia canadensis 'Corbett' (pale yellow)
behind Dryopteris erythrosora
above trio with :  Arum italicum 'Pictum' (winter-spring) & Pulmonaria (spring-summer)

note:  plant in clumps or drifts among other plants
interspersed with:  Iris, Paeonia, Geranium spp.

with:  Lychnis viscaria (gorgeous contrast between the vibrant pink & the deep purple)

where:  filted shade
with:  Iberis, Dicentra

combined with :  Azalea (behind) & Wild Blue Phlox (in front)

for partnership ideas, follow the link to Red Perennials & Their Companions

this short-statured beauty is in the border around this page and the images at the top of the page and directly above

seen above beside Blue Oat Grass, with Spanish Bluebells, light pink Pyrethrum & Solomon's Seal nearby
where :  in groups or drifts, light shade, along stone walls, rock gardens
with spring and early-summer perennials :  Tulipa, Narcissus, wildflowers, ferns
with:  Hosta, bearded Iris, Nepeta x faassenii, Lupinus, Papaver orientale

note:  always plant in groups of three or more
around base of tall, shrubby perennials:  Amsonia, Baptisia, Aconitum, Delphinium
with :  Iberis, Dicentra, Papaver, Astilbe arendsii 'Deutschland', Linum perenne
with:  Campanula lactifolia (lilac-coloured)
with spring perennials:  Geranium, .Oenothera, Iris, Paeonia, Lupinus

with:  Astilbe arendsii 'Deutschland'
in front of:  Iris (yellow), Campanula lactifolia (lilac)
behind:  Astilbe & Linum perenne

where:  border edge, rock gardens, containers

around base of tall, shrubby perennials:  Amsonia, Baptisia, Aconitum, Delphinium
with:  Paeonia
with:  spring perennials, late bulbs
with:  Geranium, Oenothera, Iris, Paeonia, Lupinus

For Columbines of various other colours, follow the links below.

• pink Columbines
• red Columbines
• Columbines for shade
• white Columbines

BUDDLEIA

The summer to fall blooms of Butterfly Bush will bring not only butterflies but also hummingbirds to your garden. It is considered a perennial in the north, where it grows to a height of 5-8 feet, and a shrub in the south where growth may reach 10-15 feet. Buddleia davidii prefers full sun as well as rich, mist, well-drained soil. On the other hand Buddleia alternifolia performs well in poor, sandy soil. Feed your plant in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer or a top-dressing of compost or well-rotted manure. Dead-head most types to prolong bloom.

Buddleia:  Butterfly Bush

combined with:  other butterfly-attracting plants in informal meadow plantings
with summer and fall-blooming plants:  Aster, Helenium, Echinacea purpurea, Ornamental Grasses
underplanted with:  ground covers
a dynamite combination with:  Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' & Liatris

You can find Butterfly Bushes of various colours by following the links below.

• butterfly-attracting Butterfly Bush
• orange Butterfly Bush

HEUCHERA

Although hummingbirds are drawn to the flowers of the hybrid Coral Bells, it is the foliage that may provide the most interest to a gardener. Be sure to divide your plants every 2-3 years to keep them vigorous. Use for borders, edging or even as cut flowers. Accoring to Heritage Perennials Perennial Gardening Guide, Heuchera sanguinea is "best for edging purposes, blooming slightly before most other types". Bloom may start in May for this type and in June for the hybrid forms.

There are numerous forms of Coral Bells on other pages of this site. Follow the links below to find companions for variously-coloured or sized specimens.

• Coral Bells as edgers
• pink Coral Bells
• purple Coral Bells
• red Coral Bells
• silver foliage Coral Bells
• white Coral Bells
• Coral Bells with variegated foliage

LOBELIA

My American Horticultural Socity FLOWER FINDER reference book describes the plant below as "red as a cardinal's feathers". This wildflower prefers shade or semi-shade with moist, humusy soil. Lobelias demand sustained moisture for peak performance. Blooms will appear in late summer to fall.

Lobelia cardinalis:  bright red

where:  wet spots, poolside, along streams
with:  Iris, Hosta, Ligularia, ferns
in front of:  Cimicifuga racemosa
with:  Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sunburst', Iris x germanica

where:  moist, sunny areas, along ponds & streams
with bold foliage plants:  Ligularia dentata, Hosta, Chelone obliqua, ferns
with:  Iris x germanica, Iris sibirica, Iris ensata, Astilbe
with moisture-lovers:  Hemerocallis, Tradescantia, Phlox paniculata, Helenium
with yellows:  Lilium, Linum flavum

LUPINUS

Lupines bloom in erect spikes of pea-like flowers in a variety of colours, including pink, red, purple shades, yellows and white. They thrive in cool, moist summers, rather than the hot and humid ones in our area where they suffer. Provide them with full sun to light shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil for best performance.

Lupinus:  Lupine

where:  deep rich soil, well-drained, neutral to acidic
behind:  something that grows large enough to hide them
with:  Paeonia
with:  Aquilegia, Linum perenne, Campanula persicifolia (purple forms)
with:  Delphinium x elatum, Eremurus x isabellinus 'Shelford Hybrids' (4-8')
for shape contrast with:  Iris x germanica (Bearded Iris)
combined with:  Achillea x 'Moonshine' & Hemerocallis 'Golden Gift'

with:  flowering shrubs, Iris, Paeonia, Campanula
behind:  crimson Dianthus barbatus

with:  Aquilegia, Geranium, Campanula, Iris, Paeonia

You will find information about Lupines of other colours by following the link below.

• red Lupines

PENSTEMON

Beard-Tongue is the common name for these native North American wildflowers. Tubular flowers are a sure way to bring hummingbirds flocking, and the flowering spikes of Penstemon are no exception. If you can provide full sun and well-drained soil then these are certainly for you. Many are perfect for rock garden use.

Division every four years or so is necessary for vigour. Keep the inner portions and discard the older outer portions. For those wanting to try propagation by seed, a visit to Tom Clothier's Seed Germination Methodology page will provide full instructions for dozens of species within the genus.

Penstemon:  Beardtongue

with:  perennial Geranium spp., Tradescantia, Achillea, Oenothera, Stachys, Yucca, Ornamental Grasses

where:  over banks or walls, as edger, in rock gardens

Find Beard-Tongue of other colours by following the link below.

• pink Penstemon

SALVIA

The genus, Sage, is a very diverse group encompassing annuals, biennials, perennials, herbs, shrubs and sub-shrubs with tubular, often brightly-coloured flowers as well as aromatic foliage. What more could a hummingbird want. Their needs are simple - full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.

Follow the links below for information about numerous Salvia forms.

For a plant profile with everything you need to know to grow it well, follow the link to Salvia 'East Friesland'.

All of our own Gardens By The Bay pages can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

HOME

GARDEN POETRY  |  GARDEN POETRY MUSE

GEORGIAN BAY VIEW

BOTANICAL LATIN - BASICS

COLOR THEORY

THE GARDENS

CORNER GARDEN CONSTRUCTION  |  CORNER GARDEN PLANTING  |  LONG GARDEN

EAST GARDEN  |  HOSTA GARDEN  |  NORTH GARDEN  |  WINTER GARDENS

PLANT PARTNERSHIPS

BLUE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Geranium  |  Iris - Vinca

BULBS    Allium - Hyacinthus  |  Narcissus only  |  Tulipa only  |  Minor Bulbs

BUTTERFLY MAGNETS    Anaphalis - Hemerocallis  |  Liatris - Veronicastrum
DAYLILIES      Spider & Unusual Form

EDGERS    Arabis - Iris  |  Nepeta - Veronica

FOLIAGE PERENNIALS     Alchemilla - Tanacetum

HOSTA    Hosta - all

HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY PERENNIALS    Alcea - Salvia

ORANGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Tulipa

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES    Acorus - Imperata |  Miscanthus - Spodiopogon

PINK PERENNIALS    Achillea - Lilium  |  Lychnis - Veronica

PURPLE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Liatris  |  Polemonium - Veronica

RED PERENNIALS    Achillea - Veronica

SHADE PERENNIALS    Aegopodium - Erythronium  |  Ferns - Polemonium  |  Polygonatum - Vinca

SILVER FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Cerastium    |    Cornus - Limonium    |    Lunaria - Veronica

SIMPLY SPECIAL PERENNIALS    Acanthus - Saxifraga

WHITE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Iris  |  Kalimeris - Yucca

YELLOW PERENNIALS    Achillea - Hypericum  |  Inula - Verbascum

VARIEGATED-FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Acorus - Erythronium  |  Hakonechloa - Lysimachia  |  Miscanthus - Yucca

PLANT PROFILES

Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies'  |  Geranium  |  Geum coccineum  |  Kerria japonica  |  Knautia macedonica

Paeonia tenuifolia  |  Papaver somniferum  |  Rudbeckia  |  Salvia 'East Friesland'

Trollius  |  Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

PROPAGATION

DIVISION - SPRING ONLY  |   DIVISION - FALL ONLY  |   DIVISION - SPRING OR FALL  |   DO NOT DIVIDE

FERTILIZATION

BULBS  |   ORNAMENTAL GRASSES  |   PERENNIALS  |   SHRUBS  |   VINES

LINKS

GARDENS  |   LOCAL GARDENS  |   BOTANICAL TERMINOLOGY

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