How many plants grow in Canada?
This is only some of them. Sorry!!!!!1. Salvia 'Lady-in-Red'Essential. Nectar rich, bright red tubular blooms on a tall stem; what more can a hummer ask for? Salvia 'Lady-in-Red' is an annual generally sold by the better nurseries, in crates for spring planting. Plant generously and early. Most hummingbird flowers peak in summer and fall. This salvia fills an important seasonal gap and is useful to entice the birds to stop over and hopefully settle in your garden when returning from Mexico.In my neighborhood, it sells quickly; consider ordering ahead in the winter. Easy to start from seed under fluorescents, hardens and transplants well. Seeds are available in Canada from William Dam Seeds, or from Thompson and Morgan in the USA.2. Anthirrhinum 'La Bella Red and White'Snapdragons contain copious amounts of nectar, but it is usually off-limits to the hummingbirds owing to their hinged-lip floral architecture, but the 'La Bella' series of snapdragons features "Azalea" type blooms that are open to the birds. The 'Red and White' is the best color to attract hummingbirds, but the orange and bright pink versions also work very well. Annual, occasionally found in crates for spring planting. Easy to start from seed under fluorescents, hardens and transplants well. Seeds can be purchased from Stokes: Stokes Seeds.3. Lobelia cardinalisThis flashy red Lobelia is a hardy wild flower species in many parts of Canada is a proven hummingbird magnet. Liking moist, rich soil, this perennial is somewhat antisocial and doesn't like to share is root space. Long blooming in the fall. Tolerant of a variety of lighting conditions. Unlike most perennials, Lobelia cardinalis does not greatly increase in spread and will only last a few years, even in ideal conditions. Seeds are widely available, and the better nurseries will carry them as potted perennials.4. Scarlet Runner BeansGrow this annual climber from seed, and allow to ramble freely over fences and trellises. Features a continuous crop of bright orange blooms, and the beans are edible! Extremely easy to grow and inexpensive. Direct-seed the huge purple and black seeds when the soil has warmed in the spring. Seeds can be bought in small and large quantities from Stokes Seeds, and are generally very easy to find.5. PenstemonMany species of Penstemon originate from the mountains and plateaus of the Rockies, where they grow in rocky and sandy slopes, where hummingbirds are abundant. They have co-evolved with the birds, so it's safe to say that for a hummingbird, any penstemon is a good penstemon - except the man-bred white varieties. They come in red, orange, pink and blue, and all are very attractive in rock gardens. They do not like root competition. You may wish to consider this excellent book to learn about this diverse plant family: The Gardener's Guide to Growing Penstemons. Thompson and Morgan, USA, have an excellent penstemon seed selection that includes the hummingbird magnet variety 'Iron Maiden.'6. Cardinal ClimberUnder the names Ipomoea x sloteri, Ipomoea x quamoclit and Ipomoea x multifida bright red trumpets peek out of attractive, finely palmate foliage. Blooms abundantly and on small plants. This is an annual climber best planted from seed in containers and provided with climbing support. Extremely attractive to the birds. Seeds from Thompson and Morgan, USA.7. Salvia patensA large-flowered, blue Salvia that will provide a delightfully dramatic contrast with all the red, orange and pink flowers in your garden! This tuberous perennial can be treated by an annual, but the tubers can be dug out in the fall, stored cool and dry and replanted the following spring, just like dahlias. Seed can be purchased from Horticlub or from Vesey's (the beautiful 'Blue Angel' variety).8. Pink-flowered RobiniaRobinia 'Idahoensis'looks exotic, but has been perfectly hardy in my zone 5a garden. Though the height of the flowers make observation of hummingbirds difficult, the abudant clusters of nectar-rich flowers is an important resource for the birds in late spring.In addition to its value to hummingbirds and insect pollinators, this is a very desirable tree in many respects, such as disease and drought-resistance. Growing tall and thin and casting a light shade, it is ideal for the front lawn, where it won't block much of the light for the plants and grass growing below. When the tree reaches a 2-inch caliper, it becomes susceptible to the black locust beetle until such time as the bark thickens enough to discourage egg laying. Small holes with chaff coming out are a diagnostic sign for larva digging into the wood. Use expanding foam wasp insecticide, spraying into the whole with a straw that comes with the can.9. ImpatiensWidely available, this annual is sold in crates and are useful to create large expanses of hummingbird colors early and inexpensively. Draw them in with carmine pink, red and red-orange single flowers.10. And the rest...The plants below attract hummingbirds only to some degree, or are less hardy, more difficult to grow...Weigela 'Red Prince'This cultivar has the brightest flowers. A shrub.MonardaAlso attracts bees, and hummingbird moths.FuschiaSingle-flowered preferredIllustrated: Fuchsia triphylla 'Gartenmeister Bonstedt'BuddleiaA shrub especially attractive to butterflies.ColumbineThe species Aquilegia canadensis is recommended. Self-sows.CleomeLook for the cherry-colored flowers. A tall border annual, sold in flats.CalibrachoaLike a small petunia, choose orange or red varieties. Grows slowly; buy large.Morning GloryIntense sky blue or red varieties preferred.Campsis radicansUsually orange. A yellow variety is less attractive to the birds. Earwigs often enter the flowers to consume nectar.HostaThe variety 'Krossa Regal' is notable for flower scapes that can reach 1.8m, and thus easily accessible to the hummers.Foxtail liliesOrange flowers are preferred.DayliliesFlashy red and glowing orange are best.Lobelia syphiliticaA cousin of Lobelia cardinalis. Color varies between individual plants, from white to blue.Mirabilis jalapaAlso called '4 o'clock' for its habit of opening blooms towards the end of the day.HollyhocksOnly single varieties are attractive to the birds. Self-sows readily.LilacReddish purple or blue varieties are preferred.VerbenaChoose red varieties, with or without a white eye.FoxglovesSelf-sows readily, likes semi-shade.AbutilonA tub and conservatory plant.PhloxThe annual phlox (Phlox drummondii) has the brightest color. Perennial phlox is also appreciated in bright colors.NasturtiumAvoid the spurless varieties, they contain no nectar.Bleeding HeartsA beloved sight in the spring, peering from the semi-shade.Red Hot PokersTender plants, grown in full sun.HibiscusGreat patio and conservaroty plant.Lychnis chalcedoniaThe scarlet campion is a tall perennial requiring moist conditions.DahliasThe less-showy, open heart varieties are best.LantanaA very slow grower, buy a large one! Good tub plant.PetuniaLook for red, small-flowered varities.EccremocarpusA delicate climber.Crocosmia 'Lucifer'Available as a rhizome for spring planting.
