Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Built for hummingbirds, with electric scarlet nectar tubes borne from Jul to Sep; hardy in zones 3–9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
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- Hummingbirds
Connecticut · Zones 5–7
Native Hummingbird Plants in Connecticut
Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. Every species here is genuinely native to Connecticut and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Connecticut's cool, humid continental climate across Northeastern Coastal Forest, not a generic list. Local standouts include Cardinal Flower and Virginia Bluebells. Hummingbirds are wired to investigate red and orange tubular flowers, so a few well-placed natives will out-pull a feeder and never need cleaning. Stagger bloom times so there is nectar from spring migration through fall departure, and plant near a perch or shrub where the birds can rest between feedings.
The plants
15 native species for Connecticut
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Built for hummingbirds, with sky blue nectar tubes borne from Mar to May — spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Hummingbirds work its lavender flowers from Jun to Aug; 1.5–2 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Built for hummingbirds, with coral-red nectar tubes borne from Apr to Sep, spreading 3–6 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 8–15 ft
- Blooms Apr–Sep
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Tubular white flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in May and Jun, cold-hardy to zone 3.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Built for hummingbirds, with lavender-blue nectar tubes borne from Jun to Sep — for sand, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
A magnet for hummingbirds — white blooms held from Jun to Aug for them to probe — happy in clay and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
A hummingbird flower — lavender-blue tubular blooms in Apr and May; spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its red flowers carried from Apr to Jun, spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma
Hummingbird fuel — slender scarlet red tubes too deep for most insects in Jul and Aug, 2.5–4 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2.5–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Tubular pink flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Aug and Sep, happy in clay and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Built for hummingbirds, with deep blue nectar tubes borne in Aug and Sep, spreading 12–18 in.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
A hummingbird flower — rose pink tubular blooms from Apr to Aug — 12–18 in tall.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Tubular pink-white flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Apr and May; 4–8 in tall.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Draws hummingbirds with frothy white nectar tubes from May to Jul; happy in sand, rocky, and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Sourcing
Where to find these in Connecticut
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.