Long Island plants for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The Ruby-throated hummingbird can be a regular visitor to your yard from April through September if you plant for them. In addition to maintaining several nectar feeders which are cleaned and refilled with fresh nectar two to three times a week, you will not have success attracting these flying jewels if you do not Salvia involucrata; AR 2017 have nectar filled flowers. Hummers prefer tubular flowers and are strongly attracted to the color red. Here are some plants you should try to include in your garden (all plants are fully winter hardy here unless otherwise indicated. *= can become invasive or weedy, E=spring bloom, A=repeat bloomer spring-frost, S=summer bloom

Trees & Shrubs: Albizia julibrissin-mimosa S Heptacodium miconiodes-seven son’s tree S Aesculus pavia-red buckeye E Rhododendron spp.- most azalea and rhododendrons E Buddleia lindleyana-Lindley’s butterfly bush S Weigela florida-weigela E Clerodendrum; AR 2016 Liriodendron tulipifera- Tulip tree E *Clerodendrum trichotomum- glory bower S *Hibiscus syriacus-rose of Sharon S

Hardy Perennials and Biennials: Lobelia cardinalis-cardinal flower S Monarda didyma- red bee balm S Penstamon spp.-red beard tongue S Digitalis purpurea-foxglove S Aquilegia canadensis-native columbine E Aquilegia spp.-columbine cultivars E Heuchera spp.-red-flowered coral bells S Lobelia cardinalis; AR 2016 Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’-montbretia S

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Annuals: (not winter hardy): Justica spp.-shrimp plant A Leonotis nepetifolia- Klip Dagga/Lion'sEar S Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'-anise sage A Salvia involucrata- Rose leaf sage S Salvia coccinea- Texas sage A Cuphea micropetala-candy corn plant A Cuphea ‘David Verity’ A Canna spp.-red canna A Cuphea ‘David Verity’; AR 2017 Zinnia spp.-mixed colors S

Vines: Lonicera sempervirens-coral honeysuckle A *Campsis radicans-trumpet vine S Ipomoea quamoclit-cypress vine (annual) S Ipomoea x multifida-cardinal climber (annual) S Ipomoea lobata-spanish flag (annual) S Phaseolus coccineus-scarlet runner bean(annual) S Bignonia capreolata-cross vine E Phaseolus coccineus; AR 2017

The above list comprises many of the plants which readily attract hummingbirds and are not too challenging to grow in the home garden. These are my observations in from two different parts of Long Island I’ve lived since 2004. There are many other plants that will also attract them! For any additional information about hummingbirds or plant culture information, please feel free to email me, Alice Raimondo at [email protected].

AR: 1/2018

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.