Hummingbird Gardens
Class Aves, Order Apodiformes
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.
Plants For Hummingbirds
Eastern Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 2’-3’ Tall, 1’-1.5’ Spread
Soil AlkalineNeutral
Tolerances DeerDroughtRabbit
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 3'-5' Tall, 2'-3' Spread
Soil AlkalineNeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic
Tolerances Deer
Purple Milkweed
Asclepias purpurascens
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 3’-5’ Tall, 2’-3’ Spread
Soil AlkalineNeutralAcidic
Tolerances DeerDroughtErosion
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Deciduous Tree
Sun
Water
Size 65’-75’ Tall, 45’ Spread
Soil AlkalineNeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic
Tolerances DroughtFlooding
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 3'-4' Tall, 1'-2' Spread
Soil NeutralSlightly Acidic
Tolerances Flooding
American Fly Honeysuckle
Lonicera canadensis
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 2'-5' Tall
Soil NeutralSlightly Acidic
Tolerances Drought
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Vine
Sun
Water
Size 8'-20' Tall, 5'-10' Spread
Soil NeutralSlightly Acidic
Tolerances Flooding
Wild Bergamont
Monarda fistulosa
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 2'-4' Tall, 1'-2' Spread
Soil AlkalineNeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic
Tolerances Drought
Eastern Smooth Beardtongue
Penstemon laevigatus
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 1'-8' Tall, 1'-2' Spread
Soil NeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic
Tolerances Drought
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana ‘Pink Manners’
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 3' to 4' Tall, 2' to 3' Spread
Soil Slightly Acidic
Tolerances Drought
Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Deciduous Tree
Sun
Water
Size 30'-40' Tall, 25' Spread
Soil NeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic
Tolerances ClayDeerDrought
Fire Pink
Silene virginica
Floral Phenology
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Type Herbaceous Perennial
Sun
Water
Size 1'-1.5' Tall, 1'-1.5' Spread
Soil NeutralSlightly AcidicAcidic
Tolerances Drought