Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Hummingbirds work its lavender-blue flowers in Apr and May, 10–15 in tall.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Ohio · Zones 5–7
Native Hummingbird Plants in Ohio
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 Ohio and the wider flora of the Midwest and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Ohio's humid continental climate across Eastern Corn Belt & Allegheny Plateau, not a generic list. Local standouts include Woodland Phlox and Great Blue Lobelia. 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 Ohio
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
A magnet for hummingbirds — deep blue blooms held in Aug and Sep for them to probe; 2–3 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its rose pink flowers carried from Apr to Aug — good through zone 8.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its white flowers carried in May and Jun — happy in clay, rocky, and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Hummingbird fuel — slender red tubes too deep for most insects from Apr to Jun, 1–2.5 ft tall.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
A hummingbird flower — coral-red tubular blooms from Apr to Sep — reaching 8–15 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 8–15 ft
- Blooms Apr–Sep
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Tubular sky blue flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from Mar to May; spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Hummingbirds work its lavender-blue flowers from Jun to Sep; reaching 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
A hummingbird flower — white tubular blooms from Jun to Aug, spreading 4–8 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma
Hummingbirds work its scarlet red flowers in Jul and Aug, 2.5–4 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2.5–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Built for hummingbirds, with electric scarlet nectar tubes borne from Jul to Sep, 2–4 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Hummingbirds work its pink flowers in Aug and Sep — good through zone 9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Hummingbird fuel — slender lavender tubes too deep for most insects from Jun to Aug — good through zone 9.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Hummingbird fuel — slender frothy white tubes too deep for most insects from May to Jul, hardy in zones 3–8.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Built for hummingbirds, with pink-white nectar tubes borne in Apr and May; 3–6 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Sourcing
Where to find these in Ohio
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.