Best Perennials to grow for Hummingbirds

[Auntcon]

www.birdsandblooms.com/gardening/plants-and-flowers-to-attract-hummingbirds/best-perennials-hummingbirds/?_cmp=BNBInsider&_ebid=BNBInsider442024&_mid=689568&ehid=214036B50DA4B2330C09B215D60AF19B107130A3&_PermHash=c939d2c21f3cbce876a8cf7fd2ceeb3515f78d7d18ec9f56dccb2b804ccdefa1&tohMagStatus=NONE

This is from a Birds & Blooms site.  Hope it works for you.  You will need to copy and paste to do an internet search. No you don't because it appears in blue so uyou can jsut click on it and go right there!

[pippin3]

Thanks, Connie….will see what I can plant here at the cottage.

[plantdoctor]

Good info, Connie.  I have all that are hardy for my zone except Beardstongue...aka Penstemon and cardinal flower.  I've tried both on numerous occasions and have not had any luck with them.  I have never seen a hummingbird on the native columbine, but they more than likely are enjoying them when I'm not around.  charlene

[luvmyb_b]

It took me forever to get here, but I think I finally have a majority of the plants on the list. While I enjoy seeing the hummers at the feeders, it is far more exciting to me to see them enjoying the things I have planted for them. That is especially true if I grew the plants from seed. I am curious, though, about the salvias that are supposed to be hardy in the zones that Jill mentioned. I've never found them to be hardy in my zone 5 at one time, but is now zone 6a. 

[Gayle]

Mine go mostly to my Petunias & Salvia.  I've never see them anywhere near the Hosta.

[Auntcon]

The hummingbirds stop by briefly but seldom stick around here. I had them in Missouri. Neighbors used to have a plant by their driveway that attracted them as they pass through!

[carross]

My hummers enjoy my trumpet vine and hosta the most.  I can't seem to grow cardinal flower, have tried many times.  I do have the rest of the plants, I usually have 2 or 3 hummers one time I had 5.

Thanks Connie

[flowerpowerz5]

I have most of the perennials and they seem to like the annuals I grow. They go to the Hosta flowers a lot. 

[plantdoctor]

I see them at the hosta blooms, but it's usually early morning.  Late afternoon, my trumpet vine has many hummers visiting.  When the trumpet vine is in bloom, I see much less activity at my feeders.  Charlene

[grammyoh]

Thought you might like to hear about my experience with the hummingbird nest. Several years ago , before I moved here there was a thing( crs)!  made of small pcs of beach wood on a string. This was hanging from the soffit in front of a picture window. I was amazed to see the hummingbird building a nest there! It was made of moss,hair, lichens and spiderweb and so tiny! The nest was completed by the female only the male disappears after mating. We were able to see into the nest very easilyshe laid 3 tiny eggs and sat on them, 3 tiny birds emerged with long beaks and mouth open to be fed! Feeding is reguration. We were surprised to learn that she raised a second brood after a few repairs to the nest. Lots of time was spent in front of that window. Two ladies from the zoo came to take pictures! The second brood left the nest and were soon headed south when the were about 2 weeks old. Lots of pictures were taken and I still have them as a reminder of that summer.I do have hummers here but nothing as exciting as watching the nest.

Grammy

[plantdoctor]

Grammy...What a wonderful experience that was!  It reminded me that when my brother, Curt, lived on our home farm, there was an awning over his east living room window.  That is where he hung his HB feeders.  I was there one evening and there were 30-40 hummers dining at the 5 feeders he had hanging there.  A sight to behold and they weren't scared at us watching their every move.  He spent a small fortune on sugar foe nectar.  Charlene