Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) Native on both sides of the Rocky Mountains, south to eastern Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Kansas; in Canada, native from British Columbia to Saskatchewan The colorful, daisy-like blooms of prairie native blanketflower may look delicate, but these plants are tough — thriving in baking heat and poor soil. Their easygoing nature and compact size make them great garden plants, and summer-blooming flowers can be cut to add to bouquets. Plant them along garden borders or in hot-colored perennial beds. The flowers attract pollinators and, later, the seed heads provide food for native birds. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 7) Water requirement: Moderate to low once established Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: Up to 2½ feet tall and wide
Pineapple sage is one of several plants in the Salvia family that attract hummingbirds. It is also considered a culinary herb that, as its name suggests, gives off a faint pineapple scent when crushed. The variety seen here, 'Golden Apple', features yellow-green leaves with bright red tubular flowers. Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) USDA zones: 8 to 10 Water requirement: Medium moisture, well-drained soils Light requirement: Full sun Tolerance: Deer Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
The dwarf variety of flowering tobacco (the larger dark pink blossoms to the right in this photo) works nicely in containers. It comes in several colors, but this dark pink would most attract hummingbirds. Flowering Tobacco, Starmaker Series Nicotiana USDA zones: 10 to 11 Water requirement: Medium moisture, well-drained soils Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 10 to 12 inches tall and wide
Another terrific hummingbird plant is California fuchsia. Its tubular-shaped blossoms are perfect for nectar gathering. California Fuchsia (Zauschneria californica) USDA zones: 6 to 9 Water requirement: Medium moisture, well-drained soils Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 feet to 5 feet tall and wide
Redbud. Glorious purple-pink blossoms brighten early spring in many North American forests. Available in a range of graceful forms, redbud is adaptable to a wide spectrum of garden climates — in California it performs more dramatically than the native California redbud. Botanical name: Cercis canadensis Common name: Eastern redbud USDA zones: 4 to 9 Water requirement: Moderate or more Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade, especially in hot climates Mature size: Up to 30 feet tall; compact varieties are much smaller Growing tips: Make sure the soil drains well and is kept moist. Prune after bloom.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Native to most of North America The frothy lilac-colored flowers of wild bergamot make a showy display from July to September, attracting bees and butterflies to the garden. Plants look stunning mixed with meadow grasses, in herb gardens or alongside other pollinator-favorites like milkweed or coneflower. The leaves are fragrant when crushed and can be used in herbal teas. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 45.6 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 8) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and 18 to 30 inches wide
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