If you have the room for a trellis of some sorts I would suggest a coral honeysuckle. It is not as rambunctious as the japanese kind at all, as a matter of fact, not at all.

Something that may attract both hummers and butterflies is pentas, the red variety. There are lots of salvias that will attract, B&B guarantica, cocciena "lady in red" or coral is good too. For the autum depending on zone you can try pineapple sage (one of my favorites too) and mexican bush sage. I think both will be hardy in Alabama as they are relitively reliable here in 7b.

Another vine alterantive is scarlet runnerbean vine. I had one to fill in an area while awaiting a clematis to grow and now wouldn't mind just keeping that around every summer. As a benefit it gives you delicious long beans that I love to just wash and snack on. B

Butterfly bushes are great for both of them also, but could be invasive in your area.

Good luck and share photos as your garden grows.

Thanks very much for the ideas! We are looking at the plantings you suggested and yes from what I hear the butterly bush can get out of control from what I am told. Luckily there is a 2 acre lot just behind my property that I will put one of those on and see how it does. Thanks again for the ideas-they all seem like very nice plants from what I can see in pictures on the net.

Brill I second everything hb listed. Cannas are also a very good choice if you want something that is a BIG showstopper. If you go with cannas get the ones with the small flowers not the big flowers. Canna Indica is an excellent choice.

If you have room from shrubs, rhododenrons and azaleas are good for early blooms but they would need shade. Also for early blooms try native columbine(Aquilegia Canadensis) For mid summer Monarda Jacob's Cline.

Salvia cocinneas, salvia greggis and salvia microphyllas may be perennial for you and those that aren't will probably reseed. Salvia Black and Blue may be perennial also.
Penny

I have butterfly bushes in my back yard which have not grown all that crazy. I cut them back every spring.