Hummingbirds have been described as flying jewels and suncatchers, and it is not hard to guess why once you see them. These tiny, colorful creatures are amazing to watch; they can fly in any direction, and their wings can beat up to 80 beats per second! It is no wonder that so many of us want to attract them to the garden, and with the right plants, you can. Hummingbirds are especially attracted to red or brightly colored tubular flowers - here are a few of their favorites. Bee Balm, Monarda species
Bee Balm[/caption] Photo by Linda Carlsen Sperry Bee balm is generally a tall perennial, with lacy flowers in red, pink, white, and violet. The flowers have a light scent, but all other parts of the plant have an orange scent when crushed. As a member of the mint family, it can be invasive, but I think it is worth the trouble. It is hardy in zones 4-9 and prefers full sun to part shade; it needs to be kept moist in summer. Bee balm flowers attract bees, butterflies, and ruby-throated hummingbirds. Butterfly Bush, Buddleia davidii
Butterfly Bush[/caption] Photo by Kristine Paulus If you are in the market for a sweet-smelling shrub with gorgeous flowers, then this bush is for you! Generally, the butterfly bush grows six to ten feet in height, but there are newer dwarf varieties that only reach two feet and can be grown in containers. The shrubs are rounded with arching stems and cone-shaped panicles of sweetly scented flowers in all colors of the rainbow. Some varieties flower from June through October! If you provide full sun and well-drained soil, this shrub will reward you with beautiful blooms. This shrub attracts butterflies, bees, and other insects as well as hummingbirds.
Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens Coral Honeysuckle[/caption] Photo by Eran Finkle Coral honeysuckle is a dream come true for hummingbirds; the red, two-inch tubular flowers seem to be specially made for a hummingbird's beak. This vine grows well in almost any type of soil and flowers best in full sun. It grows quickly and vigorously, making it perfect for covering fences, poles, and trellises. Although it is native to Florida, it is hardy all the way up to zone 4. Fuchsia, Fuchsia species Fuschia[/caption] Photo by George Grinsted Fuschia is the stuff of fairy tales; the pink and purple ruffled hanging flowers are nicknamed lady's eardrops. Fuchsias in the warm south can be found as perennial shrubs, but in the north, they are found as container plants and used in hanging baskets. The potted fuchsias sold as annuals can be difficult to grow. They prefer bright indirect light inside or partial shade outside and plenty of water. They dislike heat, which can make them drop their buds and flowers. There are many varieties of fuchsias with different kinds of flowers, but all are tubular and brightly colored - perfect for hummingbirds. Penstemon or Beardtongues, Penstemon species
Penstemon[/caption] Photo by Manuel Martin Vicente Penstemons vary greatly, and different varieties are best suited for specific areas of the country. Although they vary in size and requirements, all of them bear tall stalks of colorful, tubular flowers that hummingbirds can't resist. A great one to try for zones 4-9 is red firecracker Penstemon. It is a perennial that grows up to 24 inches, and scarlet blossoms run the length of the stem. It is also drought-tolerant. Salvia, Salvia species
If you have never grown salvia, you are missing out, and if you don't have a green thumb, this is a great plant to try. Salvias are drought-tolerant, flower most of the summer, and are mostly problem-free. Additionally, they come in a wide variety of annual, perennial, shrub, and biennial plants in many colors and sizes, and they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. A great salvia to try is pineapple sage, which has bright red edible flowers and smells like pineapple. Petunia, Petunia species
Petunia[/caption] Photo by Swaminathan Is there anyone who isn't familiar with this old-fashioned, easy-to-grow annual? Petunias offer brightly colored blooms all summer long with little maintenance. If you give them full sun, well-drained soil, and water once a week (more for containers), they will give you a great performance. Pinch them back to prevent legginess, and cut the entire plant back halfway just before the end of summer to encourage more blooms. My favorites are the ruffled, round double petunias that are getting harder and harder to find.
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