ruby-throated hummingbird at a firecracker plant
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Hummingbird Gardens

Class Aves, Order Apodiformes

Ruby-throated hummingbird sitting on the edge of a hummingbird feeder

A sign of spring arrives in Pennsylvania during the first week of May — the ruby-throated hummingbird. Despite only weighing 3-4 grams, these birds migrate between Central and North America every spring and fall. Although there are over 300 species of hummingbird in the Americas, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only species found in northeast region of North America.

To attract Ruby-throated hummingbirds to your garden, choose plants from our recommended list. Hummingbirds are omnivores, eating insects as well as nectar. Plants in your garden that support insects such as ants, spiders, and flies will also support hummingbirds. A hummingbird feeder can be an additional source of nectar.

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Plants For Hummingbirds

Eastern Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
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  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Partial Sun IconPart Sun
Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Moderate Water IconMoist

Size 2’-3’ Tall, 1’-1.5’ Spread

Soil AlkalineNeutral

Tolerances DeerDroughtRabbit

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

High Water IconWet

Size 3'-5' Tall, 2'-3' Spread

Soil AlkalineNeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic

Tolerances Deer

Purple Milkweed

Asclepias purpurascens

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Moderate Water IconMoist

Size 3’-5’ Tall, 2’-3’ Spread

Soil AlkalineNeutralAcidic

Tolerances DeerDroughtErosion

Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Deciduous Tree

Sun

Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Low Water IconDry
Moderate Water IconMoist
High Water IconWet

Size 65’-75’ Tall, 45’ Spread

Soil AlkalineNeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic

Tolerances DroughtFlooding

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Partial Sun IconPart Sun
Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Moderate Water IconMoist
High Water IconWet

Size 3'-4' Tall, 1'-2' Spread

Soil NeutralSlightly Acidic

Tolerances Flooding

American Fly Honeysuckle

Lonicera canadensis

Artist watercolor of a yellow American fly honeysuckle flower

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Partial Sun IconPart Sun

Water

Low Water IconDry
Moderate Water IconMoist

Size 2'-5' Tall

Soil NeutralSlightly Acidic

Tolerances Drought

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Floral Phenology

  1. J
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  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
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  11. N
  12. D

Type Vine

Sun

Partial Sun IconPart Sun
Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Moderate Water IconMoist

Size 8'-20' Tall, 5'-10' Spread

Soil NeutralSlightly Acidic

Tolerances Flooding

Wild Bergamont

Monarda fistulosa

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Partial Sun IconPart Sun
Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Low Water IconDry
Moderate Water IconMoist

Size 2'-4' Tall, 1'-2' Spread

Soil AlkalineNeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic

Tolerances Drought

Eastern Smooth Beardtongue

Penstemon laevigatus

Artist watercolor of a pink beardtongue flower

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Low Water IconDry
Moderate Water IconMoist

Size 1'-8' Tall, 1'-2' Spread

Soil NeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic

Tolerances Drought

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana ‘Pink Manners’

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Partial Sun IconPart Sun
Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Moderate Water IconMoist

Size 3' to 4' Tall, 2' to 3' Spread

Soil Slightly Acidic

Tolerances Drought

Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Deciduous Tree

Sun

Full Sun IconFull Sun

Water

Moderate Water IconMoist
High Water IconWet

Size 30'-40' Tall, 25' Spread

Soil NeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic

Tolerances ClayDeerDrought

Fire Pink

Silene virginica

Floral Phenology

  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D

Type Herbaceous Perennial

Sun

Shade IconFull Shade
Partial Sun IconPart Sun

Water

Size 1'-1.5' Tall, 1'-1.5'  Spread

Soil NeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic

Tolerances Drought