Best Garden Perennials for Hummingbirds

By Teri Dunn, Gloucester, Massachusetts

Penstemon

(Penstemon, Zones 3 to 10)

These come in red, purple and white, and reach heights of up to 4 feet, remaining in profuse bloom for most or all of the summer. Full sun and well-drained soil is ideal (damp or rich soil causes them to rot).

Butterfly Weed

(Asclepias tuberosa, Zones 3 to 9)

Dress up the wild part of your yard with this summer-blooming wildflower in shades of orange and red. It reaches 3 feet tall and is drought-tolerant.

Cardinal Flower

(Lobelia cardinalis, Zones 3 to 9)

A moisture-loving favorite in shades of red, pink or white, cardinal flower grows 3 to 5 feet tall and blooms for most of the summer.

Columbine

(Aquilegia, Zones 3 to 9)

Blooming exuberantly in spring to early summer, columbines come in a broad range of solids and bicolors, all pretty, all in the 1- to 3-feet range.

Verbena

(Verbena, Zones 9 to 10)

You can expect summer-long color from these good-looking perennials. The plants feature spires of red, pink, purple or white, and reach about a foot in height. Keep their soil moist; dry conditions can slow or halt flowering.

Coral Bells

(Heuchera, Zones 3 to 9)

Rich, fertile soil is best and partial shade is ideal for this handsome plant. Coral bells are valued for their colorful, often purple-hued foliage. Then in late spring, the plant sends up pretty, long-lasting wands of tiny flowers.

Crocosmia

(Crocosmia, Zones 5 to 9)

This dramatic plant reaches 3 feet high and blooms in mid- to late summer, with fabulous red or orange blooms. Moist soil is important for flowering.

Evening Primrose

(Oenothera, Zones 3 to 9)

A good choice for poor or dry soil, this spring to summer bloomer has either yellow or pink flowers. Typically, plants get between 2 and 3 feet tall and may need support.

Hyssop

(Agastache, Zones 5 to 9)

Bushy and studded with blooms from mid- to late summer, hyssop is a favorite. Flowers are violet to blue and also attract bees. Plants can get up to 3 feet high and wide.

Bee Balm

(Monarda didyma, Zones 4 to 9)

This beauty blooms up to 4 feet tall starting in midsummer. Choose mildew-resistant varieties for your garden in shades of red, pink, white and purple.Indian Pink, Pinkroot

(Spigelia marilandica, Zones 5 to 9)

This is a unique addition to any yard. A handsome and tough wildflower of modest size (between 1 and 2 feet high and wide), it blooms in late spring to early summer. Flowers are red and yellow.

Maltese Cross

(Lychnis chalcedonica, Zones 3 to 9)

With bold red flowers on a plant of 2 to 3 feet high and 1 to 2 feet wide, this bright bloomer will dress up your summer flower garden. Plant it in fertile, well-drained, moist soil.Salvia

(Salvia, Zones 4 to 9)

Annual salvia is a garden favorite, but don't forget the perennials. Loose flower spires come in a variety of sizes, from 1 to 5 feet. The blooms include bright shades of red, maroon, purple and indigo.

Red-Hot Poker

(Kniphofia, Zones 5 to 9)

Terrific in mixed flower borders or small groupings, dramatic red-hot poker plants grow up to 4 feet high and deliver bright plumes of red, yellow, orange and bicolors. For best results, well-drained soil is important; these will rot in boggy or moist ground.

Speedwell

(Veronica, Zones 3 to 9)

These ever-popular plants are generally 1 to 2 feet high and wide. They come in purple, blue, pink and white. They do best in well-drained, fertile soil and full sun; they do tolerate some shade for part of the day.