The antics of petite, jewel-coloredhummingbirdsin the garden are endlessly fun to watch.
They are the only birds capable of sustained hovering and can even fly backward and upside down.
Hummingbirds are surprisingly fast and also territorial, often engaging in high-speed chases around the garden.
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These migratory birds will follow their favorite blooms as the seasons change, stopping wherever they can refuel.
Give them a garden loaded with these tasty nectar-producing flowers, and you’re sure to lure entertaining hummingbirds.
Salvia
This deer-resistant family of flowers is considered one of the best forattracting birds and butterflies.
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Or plant the shorter red salvia in the flower bed or in a pot.
Cardinal Flower
This self-sowing, native perennial thrives in moist soil and prefers full or partial sun.
Trumpet creeper can grow to 35 feet and blooms best in full sun.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
Some varieties grow into large shrubs, while others are more suitable for the front of the flower bed.
Generally hardy in USDA Zones 7 and above.
Petunia
Hummers migrate at treetop height, where they can easily spot any vibrant blooms below.
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Grab their attention with a large grouping of pots filled with this vivid, inexpensive annual.
Plant them in full sun and deadhead regularly, and yourpetuniaswill bloom from late spring until fall.
Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9, but thebutterfly bushis considered invasive in some states.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
Columbine’s delicate, nodding flowers bloom best in part shade in the South.
Once the flowers fade, this perennial serves as an attractive groundcover.
Plant them in sun or part shade, where they will bloom in spring, summer, and fall.
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MostMonardaplants are hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9.
Indian Pink
Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) is an excellent hummingbird magnet for shadier gardens.
The intensely scarlet, tubular flowers of this native perennial open in late spring.
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Beardtongue shoots up to about 3 feet tall when it blooms in late spring or early summer.
Plant in full sun in soil with good drainage.
Plant a variety of purples, pinks, and whites to create a multi-colored flower buffet for the birds.
Credit: Rush Jagoe
Phlox is hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8 and blooms best in full or part sun.
Pentas
Pentas is a tender tropical perennial grown as an annual in most climates.
Plant them in full sun and they will bloom all summer long.
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Bottlebrush
Southern Living
The colorfulbottlebrush plantdisplays red flowers from spring through summer.
Grow compact varieties as hedges, and prune larger, more open varieties into small trees.
Tecoma
These small trees or shrubs belong to the trumpet vine family.
Credit: Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson
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