Plants that are new to our garden center include a variety of hummingbird favorites, as we know how much our customers enjoy seeing them visit their gardens. Our latest selection of hummingbird plants are chosen specifically to bring color, nectar, and life into your landscape. From tubular blooms to native vines, these are some of the best flowers for hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Cuphea: A Pollinator Favorite That Blooms All Summer
New to our garden center are over nine varieties of Cuphea, with more arriving soon. These vibrant Cuphea for pollinators feature tubular flowers and bright colors that hummingbirds can’t resist. Thriving in full sun to part shade, Cuphea needs regular watering and will bloom all summer long with a monthly dose of fertilizer. We recommend Bar Harbor granular fertilizer, an OMRI-listed organic option that’s safe for pollinators like hummingbirds and bees.
Salvia Varieties for Wildlife: Color, Nectar, and Performance
Another essential group of hummingbird plants is Salvia—an all-star in any pollinator garden. With long-blooming, nectar-rich tubular flowers, Salvia thrives in well-draining loamy soil and full to partial sun. Many types are hardy to Zone 7 and will return after mild winters, especially in sunny spots.
Here are some of our favorite Salvia varieties for wildlife:
- Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’
- Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’
- Salvia leucantha ‘Bicolor’
- Salvia elegans ‘Pineapple Sage’ - a standout hummingbird migration plant
- Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ — an Australian annual that blooms into October
Other hummingbird-loved selections include Salvia greggii varieties such as ‘Autumn Sage’, ‘Fuchsia’, ‘Deep Purple’, and ‘Hot Pink’.
Native Honeysuckle: Lonicera That Hummingbirds Love
No hummingbird garden is complete without native honeysuckle. Our top recommendation is Lonicera sempervirens, a native honeysuckle for hummingbirds with vibrant reddish-orange blooms. Native cultivars like ‘Major Wheeler’, ‘John Clayton’, and ‘Alabama Red’ offer variations in flower color, height, and resilience to local growing conditions—perfect for both beauty and habitat support.
Perennials with Tubular Flowers: Reliable Nectar Sources
Hummingbirds are especially drawn to tubular flowers for nectar, and we carry many perennials for hummingbird gardens that provide just that. These selections will bloom throughout the growing season and offer a rich nectar source for both adult birds and their young.
Available now:
- Agastache
-
Crocosmia
- Kniphofia
- Aquilegia
- Penstemon
- Lobelia cardinalis
- Spigelia
These pollinator garden plants are also a hit with butterflies and beneficial insects.
Composite Flowers for Broader Pollinator Appeal
While tubular flowers are key, composite blooms also play a role in attracting hummingbirds. Many of these plants offer both nectar and pollen to butterflies, bees, and skippers, making them ideal for a pollinator-friendly landscape.
Add these pollinator garden plants to your design:
- Zinnia
- Heliotrope
- Lantana
- Nicotiana
- Tithonia
Their wide, round flowers offer variety and sustenance for a broad range of beneficial visitors.
Create a Garden That Brings Joy—And Feeds the Pollinators
If you’re dreaming of a colorful yard filled with life, these hummingbird plants are the perfect place to start. From native honeysuckle for hummingbirds to perennials for hummingbird gardens, your choices help build a space that supports nature and delivers beauty all season long.
Plant with purpose—and know that you're helping to feed the pollinators that keep our gardens, farms, and ecosystems thriving!
