Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata
Tubular orange-red flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Apr and May; good through zone 9.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 25–50 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
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 New Jersey and the wider flora of the Mid-Atlantic and hardy through zones 6–7 — proven performers for New Jersey's humid, four-season climate across Pine Barrens & Piedmont, not a generic list. Local standouts include Crossvine and Wild Bleeding Heart. 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.
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 6–7 · see this collection in other states.
Bignonia capreolata
Tubular orange-red flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Apr and May; good through zone 9.
Dicentra eximia
Built for hummingbirds, with rose pink nectar tubes borne from Apr to Aug; good through zone 8.
Monarda fistulosa
Built for hummingbirds, with lavender nectar tubes borne from Jun to Aug — 1.5–2 ft wide.
Monarda didyma
Built for hummingbirds, with scarlet red nectar tubes borne in Jul and Aug — 2.5–4 ft tall.
Mertensia virginica
A hummingbird flower — sky blue tubular blooms from Mar to May — good through zone 8.
Lobelia siphilitica
A magnet for hummingbirds — deep blue blooms held in Aug and Sep for them to probe; spreading 12–18 in.
Lonicera sempervirens
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its coral-red flowers carried from Apr to Sep, 8–15 ft tall.
Lobelia cardinalis
A hummingbird flower — electric scarlet tubular blooms from Jul to Sep, for clay and loam ground.
Aquilegia canadensis
Hummingbird fuel — slender red tubes too deep for most insects from Apr to Jun, hardy in zones 3–8.
Agastache foeniculum
Tubular lavender-blue flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from Jun to Sep — spreading 1.5–2 ft.
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Hummingbird fuel — slender white tubes too deep for most insects from Jun to Aug — 4–8 ft wide.
Phlox divaricata
A hummingbird flower — lavender-blue tubular blooms in Apr and May — 10–15 in tall.
Physostegia virginiana
Built for hummingbirds, with pink nectar tubes borne in Aug and Sep, cold-hardy to zone 3.
Penstemon digitalis
Hummingbirds work its white flowers in May and Jun, 2–4 ft tall.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Built for hummingbirds, with pink-white nectar tubes borne in Apr and May, 4–8 in tall.
Ceanothus americanus
Draws hummingbirds with frothy white nectar tubes from May to Jul, good through zone 8.
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.