Skydiver
Yes hummers do exist in the Chicago area. I have several mmembers in the Chicago area. Not all bee Balm and salvias will attract hummers. I have only found one perennial salvia that they use Salvia azurea which is native to many parts of the northeast. There are a couple others that are half hardy and in the right location and enough winter protection they may be hardy. Some salvia greggiis. and Savia reptans fall into that category. Many of the bee Balms are more attractive to the bees. The best one I have found for hummrs is the Jacob's Cline. I have removed all my others. There are people all around the country that normally have decent hummer populations that are wondering where they are this year. If they arrived in the area late they may have started to nest right away so you may not see them unless you are up before dawn or just before sunset. Mine were 3 weeks late returning this year. I do get up at 5a.m. and usually see them around 5:10. Feel free to contact me off list.

Penny

hi sky they do exist here. i'm southwest of chicago about 25 miles; i,ve seen 4 so far but none have stayed in my yard; usually have 2 or 3 here , than more towards fall. my wife and i love watching them;90 % of what grow in my yard is for them little rascals. have faith they will come

skydiver--- It just could be the weather this year causing their activity to be so late. Usually they are pretty active here by mid-may but it hasnt been so far. I started a few years ago with only feeders and had hummers and have gradually been building my hummer garden. Today for the first time I noticed a male checking out all the flowers I have in bloom, they had been just hitting the feeders when they stopped by. Yes in august when they start heading back should be prime time for most of us in this area, I hope anyway.