Hi sky welcome I think they show up in early march and stay thru september at least but not sure There are members from florida that know better. Sarah

Sky I am a few hours up the road from you and for the past two years I have seen hummers in March. My feeder goes up the last of Feb. and stays until sometime in Nov.

I would imagine cupheas, pineapple sage and Mexican bush sage ane other salvas would be some good choices. Coral honeysuckle. Like Sarah said there will be some Flordia watchers along shortly who can give you some good advise.

Hello Sky !!!

Welcome to Florida.
I'm in Apopka and the hummers usually arrive late March/ early April. They seem to come about the time the Azalea's start blooming. Last year I had a hummer still visiting in November.

As for the plants that attract them you will get tired of digging holes before you could plant them all, but here's some of the favorite's.

Trumpet Honeysuckle
Fire Bush (Hamelia patens)
Giant Cigar Plant (Cuphea melvillea)
Salvia Guarantica
Black & Blue
Coral Porterweed
Bright Red Pentas
Ugly Shrimp Plant
Powder Puff
Tropical Sage

The hummers are here, they'll find you. Keep us posted !
Lee

Here's a great website that lists the Top Hummingbird Plants in alphabetical order and has the growing zones for them too.

Lee

Here is a link that might be useful: Top Hummingbird Magnets

Thank you everyone. All the info should really help me plan my new garden area. I really appreciate it.

Hi Sky, and ditto the welcome to Florida. I'm in Hillsborough Co, also considered central FL. It's amazing, many people have stated they have lived here 20+ years and have never seen a hummingbird, dreadful thought eh?

I have many plants in my yard to attract hummingbirds, but I believe the altime favorite (in my yard) are the cigar plants. I actually purchased mine on ebay, little stems I put in the ground and in less than a year I have 3-4" shrubs. I am able to see a visitor a couple times a day at least, and I believe there are a few visiting. If you are any where near me (valrico) I'd be happy to give you a few sprigs. I have also been pulling up and throwing away 4 o'clock bulbs, so I have those also; again if it is convenient for you.
We lived in Guantanamo Bay Cuba for a couple of years. They were so abundant there, it was hard to sit outside on the patio without the little dare-devils taking a few swipes at your head. I would love to see that type of activity again.
Kathy

Kathy, I'm near the Citrus tower at 5o and 27 so not very close to you, but thank you for the offer. I didn't know 4 o'clocks came in bulbs. I haae tried the seeds several times over the years without success. As a child my mother had oodles, but I can't seem to grow them. Would you consiter mailing the bulbs and cigar plants for the price of postage?

Absolutely, if you take care of the postage, I'll be glad to get them out to you. Email me and we'll exchange all the necessary info.

4 O'clocks do seed, but an established plant's root system looks kinda like a stumpy fat turnip, for lack of a better discription. They're pretty, but I just found them far to invasive with the seedlings they drop. I try not to let them go to bloom anymore, pulling them before they have a chance to, but what I had and may still have are yellow ones as well as fuschia. The fushia were more prevalent so the chances are that is probably what remains.
Kathy

We're almost neighbors Sky !

You live real close to one of the absolute best nurseries you can find when it comes to Hummingbird and Butterfly attracting plants and plants native to Florida.
It's called Biosphere and they are open to the public on Saturdays till 3:00pm.
Here's a link to their website.
They can help you. Half of my yard came from there !!!!!

Have fun and good luck,
Lee

Here is a link that might be useful: Biosphere nursery

Lee, Thanks for the link. I have never been out that way yet. I have been to Copeland mostly. Did get coral honeysuckle. Also been to JJJ's And Woodland to try to get things. My yard was a mess, mostly sand and weeds. We have worked hard getting in a sprinkler system, pavers and some lawn. Lost some of the flowers I did get to the roof cleaners chemicals. I'm working on it, but it will take time. Thanks AGain All!

Welcome to Florida! The hummingbirds in my garden seem to like the purple and pink porterweed, dwarf firebush and loin's tail and red salvia & red pentas. Hope this helps. Happy Humming, Annette