If you'd like to attract more hummers to your garden, we hope the list below will prove useful. As a rule, hummers are attracted to bright (on the red end of the spectrum) flowers that are good nectar (fuel) sources.
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With enough of these in your garden, you're sure to get a good buzz going. When asked where to buy plants, four out of five hummingbirds agree that PDN is the place. What about the 5th? He doesn't have internet access.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
This selection of the deciduous Agapanthus africanus makes a typical rosette of green, strap-shaped leaves. In July, the clumps are topped with 3' tall flower spikes, each ending in a 5" diameter sphere of light blue flowers...perfect to attract hummingbirds while providing color during the summer months. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(Patent 7303 expired) From California's Archie Amate comes this 1990 introduction, a phenomenally vigorous evergreen (in mild climates) Lily-of-the-Nile that makes a fast-growing 3' tall clump of green strap-like leaves, topped in midsummer with dark blue-violet (RHS 93A), 8" wide flower heads on 50" tall stems...a hummingbird favorite. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This fully deciduous South African agapanthus species can be found in open meadows in the Drakensberg and surrounding mountain ranges. The clumps of strap-like green leaves are topped in July with 2' tall spikes of dark purple-black pendulous flowers in July...a very nice selection that is attractive to hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
I first observed this amazing clone en masse at the famed Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. Agapanthus 'Graskop' was discovered in 1985 in the town of Graskop (not to be confused with the pond vegetation-eating fish) in the northeast Transvaal region of South Africa. The clumps of narrow green foliage are topped in summer with 3' spikes of terminal flower heads, each composed of 30-40 flowers that emerge as black buds, then open with dark violet-blue pendulous flowers...simply stunning...a hummingbird favorite. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This introduction from California's Emerissa Gardens is one I picked up on a West Coast swing many years ago...as much for the name as anything else. Over the years, this has been the star in our agapanthus trials, both for winter hardiness and good flowering. The 2.5' to 3' tall spikes are topped with 4" ball-shaped heads composed of rich blue-violet flowers, attractive to hummingbirds. I think you will find this a superb garden-worthy clone, sure to be the sunshine of your life. We'll get yours on the way...signed, sealed, delivered. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Thanks to Barrie Coate for setting us straight on the origin of this great plant. When Barrie was Director of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, he selected this gem from thousands of open pollinated seedlings of the deciduous Agapanthus 'Mood Indigo'. The resulting evergreen selection (only to 28 degrees F) is a dynamite lily-of-the-Nile with the typical strap-like foliage to 24" tall. Through late summer, the huge clumps of foliage are topped with giant, magnificent, hummingbird-friendly flower heads of bluish-purple on very sturdy stalks to 4' tall...WOW! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From Kees de Jong of Holland comes an amazing agapanthus that appeared in his cut flower field of blue Agapanthus africanus. The deciduous (evergreen in mild climates), 1.5" wide green foliage makes a 2' wide clump, topped in midsummer with 30" stalks of huge 10" flower heads of up to 80 pure white flowers...a hummingbird favorite. It took Barry Bonds years of steroid use to get a head this large...Agapanthus 'White Heaven' has consistently tested clean. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
When my friend Gert Fortgens of Arboretum Trompenburg in Holland told me about his cross of the US native Agastache foeniculum with the Korean Agastache rugosa, the offspring sounded too good to be true. However, after trialing Agastache 'Blue Fortune' in our dry garden, I consider it one of the finest new perennials in years! In spring, the strong new stalks shoot upward to 3' tall, clothed with fuzzy, licorice-scented leaves. From early spring through summer, the stems are topped with hundreds of large bottlebrush, blue-lavender flowers that attract a stunning array of pollinators, including hummingbirds! Agastache 'Blue Fortune' needs an open, well-drained site for best performance. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This Terra Nova introduction is one of the first of the brightly-colored agastache hybrids to survive our NC summers. Agastache 'Cotton Candy' forms a 2' tall x 3' wide drought-tolerant clump of upright green stems, each clothed in small, but very minty-fragranced leaves. From spring through fall, the stems are topped with dense clusters of small pink flowers emerging from the dark pink-tipped calyces. Agastache 'Cotton Candy' is a magnet for both butterflies and hummingbirds...we recommend a flight control tower within a 100' radius. Good drainage is essential for long-term survivability. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We originally got this from a customer in Virginia who claimed it to be winter hardy near Roanoke. Our plants did survive below 10 degrees F, but damage was too severe to claim it reliable in Zone 7b. It is one of the many yellow-edged Agave americana forms sold under the group name 'Marginata'. This particular clone makes a large, upright clump of sharp-spined, blue-grey foliage with an attractive creamy-yellow edge. Our oldest clumps are 3' tall x 4' wide, but in warmer climates they will grow larger...great for summer containers. Agave blooms attract hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This Plant Delights clonal selection of Agave americana var. protoamericana has been one of the best performers in our display garden. The wide, steel-blue, upright leaves form a tight rosette to 6' tall x 10' wide. This selection is a prolifically offsetting form we grew from seed from a Yucca Do expedition near Victoria, Mexico (YD 45-80). For us, Agave 'Blue Steel' has shown minimal winter damage at 9 degrees F. Agave blooms attract hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Agave attenuata 'Kara's Stripes' is a stunning selection of the southern Mexican native Agave attenuata that is perfect for a summer container or for your summer home in the tropics. This Gary Gragg selection boasts scrumptious spineless, golden rubbery leaves surrounded by a wide green border...quite an attention getter! With age, the clumps can reach 3' tall, at which time they are topped by their otherworldly spikes of yellow flowers. In extremely hot climates, light shade is recommended. FYI: This did enter the US legally, has a valid variegated card, and has applied for US citizenship. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
I was fortunate to see this amazing, un-agave-looking agave in the wild near Monterrey, Mexico, where it precariously hangs off lightly shaded, high cliffs. Eventually spreading to 2' wide, the easy-to-grow, user-friendly clump resembles large, gray-green spiders with NO spines. We recommend that these be planted on a slight slope to duplicate the great drainage that they receive in the wild. After 2-4 years, Agave bracteosa will begin to form offsets, and when they mature, each clump will produce an amazing 5-7' tall flower spike that resembles a giant yellow bottlebrush! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
It was lust at first sight when I saw Agave bracteosa 'Monterrey Frost' in California's San Diego Botanic Garden. This rare form of the northern Mexican Agave bracteosa has been passed along in California collectors' circles for more than a decade, but is rarely available to the general public. The frozen squid-like architectural rosette of sandpapery green foliage is edged with a perfect creamy-white margin, eventually producing a 1' tall x 18" wide specimen that will offset sporadically after it matures. Agave bracteosa actually enjoys part shade, which also keeps the white edge from scorching. The white edge reduces the winter-hardiness, so where this isn't winter hardy, it makes a stunning unarmed container specimen. Agave blooms attract hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Agave celsii 'Multicolor') I first saw this gem at Holland's amazing Succulenta Nursery and later at specialty nurseries in Thailand, where it made an architectural 18" tall x 18" wide clump. Agave celsii is a cloud forest species native to north central Mexico, although it seems quite happy growing here in full sun. The compact rosettes of glaucous upturned leaves are edged with a dramatic cream border...a superb container plant where it isn't quite winter-hardy. Due to problems with the types specimen of Agave celsii being improperly documented, the name was switched to the properly documented specimen, Agave mitis. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
I acquired this plant from the UC Botanic Garden at Berkeley after drooling so much they threatened to cart me away. This is a small 18" tall x 2.5' wide, rarely-suckering clump of unusually thick, wavy blue-green leaves highlighted by 2" wide golden borders. Despite not being hardy here, it is one fine container plant and great for summer combinations. We have seen this listed as Agave americana, but a rare blue reversion looked nothing like Agave americana. This plant goes by many invalid names such as 'Quasimodo', 'Incurva Marginata', and 'Marginata Aurea Monstrosa'. Agave 'Cornelius' was discovered by the late Dr. Cornelius of California. Agave blooms attract hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Agave lophantha 'Marginata') We originally acquired this rare selection from Thailand as an Agave lophantha, which it is obviously not...we're betting on Agave funkiana. The 18" long x 1" wide upright shallowly grooved leaves are dark green and edged with a dramatic wide white border. The few scattered teeth along the leaf edges turn papery and fall away as the leaves age. Agave 'Hakuro Shiro Fukurin' (translated as "frosty white margin") makes a stunning 18" tall x 3' wide clump. These are slow growers in containers. Agave flowers attract hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
We purchased these seeds (wild collected from La Escondida in Mexico's Nuevo Leon province) as Agave gentryi, but after examining the parent photos and growing the plants, we are convinced they are Agave gentryi with some Agave montana intergrades. Expect thick, glossy, green-leaved, attractive rosettes to 3' tall x 4' wide. Supplies are very limited. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(syn: Agave guiengola 'Marginata') We are pleased to make available this elegant collector plant, whose parent originated in the Guiengola limestone cliffs of Oaxaca (pronounced "Wahaka"), Mexico. Since the name 'Marginata' has been invalid on plants named after 1959, we chose a new name, Agave 'Creme Brulee'. This soft-leaf agave is simply elegant with wide, medium green leaves surrounded by a 1" border of creamy white. While the species can reach 3' tall x 4' wide, the variegation should slow it down considerably...we're guessing about 25 percent. Agave 'Creme Brulee' was discovered by California agave specialist, Kelly Griffin. Agave flowers attract hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Agave sp. Kichiokan, Agave potatorum 'Variegata') This Japanese selection of what we think is an old Mexican hybrid has been circulated by collectors under several misspellings. In Japanese, the word 'Kissho Kan' means "happy (lucky) crown." The stunningly symmetrical rosette makes a perfect container specimen, forming a 15" tall x 18" wide, slowly offsetting clump. The blue-grey leaves are bordered in creamy white, while the leaf spines emerge yellow, then change to light brown and age to a dark cinnamon color...very cool! This is a very easy species to grow and when given plenty of light is tough-as-nails. Agave blooms attract hummingbirds. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
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