I have put in a Hummingbird and Butterfly garden about 5 years ago and am very much disappointed with it. An I am now putting in a Drought Tolerant Garden, but would like to have perennials that will go along with it to bring in Hummingbirds and Butterflies also.
Could someone step forward and help me in choosing some plants that will comment the Drought Tolerant Garden?
I plan to run a soaker hose to any plants that will need water.
I have a clay soil. In full sun. The garden is 25' X 25' and is a half a circle which is 40' around.
I am looking for perennials that will flower from Spring into Fall. That is different perennial plants.
Best perennial plants for Hummingbirds & Butterflies??
Eagle, you have a list of needs that might be difficult to fill. First off, most perennials don't flower from spring to fall. Annuals do that because they need to set lots of seeds for the next generation. I grow three species for the hummers that bloom one after the other: coral honeysuckle, bee balm and Lobelia cardinalis. I don't think any of those will work for you, though. The bee balm and lobelia need moist soil and zone 5 might be too cold for coral honeysuckle. Good luck with your new garden.
What I meant when I said flower all season is what you just stated one took the place of the other when it was done blooming.
And yes the ones that need water would get there drink.
With the method I would be using I can control what gets a drink and the ones that don't.
Agastache/hyssop does well for me in clay soil in full sun and blooms all summer. A common name for it is "hummingbird mint" as they do love the nectar. There are many varieties.
The gaillardia/blanket flower blooms all summer till frost. Many butterflies and pollinators frequent these and do very well in clay soil, full sun as they are native plants and quite drought tolerant.
Rudbeckia hirta and R. fulgida both will bloom thru the summer till frost. Deadheading helps. Coneflowers are also fairly drought tolerant once established. Hummers and butterflies both appreciate these.
Salvias - there are probably hundreds of varieties of perennial AND annuals. Full sun, clay soil (may do better with some amendment), drought tolerant once established.
Sweet william/dianthus. Summer thru frost. Clay soil, full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Sold both as perennial and annual. Check your zone for particular varieties.
Asclepias tuberosa/butterfly weed. Clay, full sun, drought tolerant. Check your zone, but it is native to the east coast and therefore I believe okay for your purposes. It is also a host plant for monarch larvae, but not the preferred flavor. There are many perennial varieties of milkweed that may suit your purposes as well.
Verbena homestead or other varieties (verbena bonariensis) . . . full sun. drought tolerant. Butterflies AND hummers.
Phlox?
That's all I can think of for right now. These are all plants I have growing in my own hummingbird/butterfly garden in full sun, clay soil with slight amendment (soil conditioner, pine bark fines, and/or compost preferably). They all bloom from spring/early summer to frost. If I can think of others I will post again.
A.
Sorry, Eagle. I didn't understand your request.
Amanda made some very good suggestions. Purple coneflowers are very drought tolerant and attractive to butterflies. Salvias attract all kinds of pollinators, especially bees. Several species of Rudbeckia will grow in your zone and no butterfly garden would be complete w/o milkweed (Ascelpias).
I would add-
For spring blooms, native eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) can't be beat. Although it likes some shade you can plant it where later blooming, taller species will give it a bit of shade in mid to late summer. link to more info-
http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/aquilegia_canadensis.shtml
Liatris, Joe Pye and Ironweed are all butterfly magnets for me and they bloom mid to late summer.
liatris- http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/86/
joe pye- http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/72528/
ironweed- http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/847/
For fall blooms asters of different species are great. (Too many asters to list!) You might try Prairie Moon Nursery for plants here is a link to their website-
http://www.prairiemoon.com/
Good links from Kate and suggestions as well.
I have liatris spicata blooming right now but I understand that L. liguilistylis is THE preferred liatris species for butterflies.
Joe pye blooms later for me in the season. That also reminds me of the hardy ageratum, blue mistflower Conoclinium colestinium (formerly Eupatorium maculatum).
Kate - I grew some ironweed from seed last spring. They must need more sun because they are beginning to bloom and the tallest is not more than 2' tall. One plant appears to have contracted mildew from some monarda/bee balm. Guess I should move those plants.
To narrow down the aster decision making process - I would highly recommend the New England Aster. It can become large so you would want to make it a specimen plant or place it at the back of your bed so it doesn't interfere with growth of other plants. Color and masses of blooms are spectacular and everything that flies is attracted to it. It would likely bloom in your zone late July, August and into September.
Keep us posted Eagle - surely this info will get you started.
A.
p.s. if you are interested in growing things from seed I have many of the things listed here I would be happy to share.
I too live in 5A and have a lot of clay and I have many "hummingbird attracting" plants, feeders, etc. I DID NOT have any hummingbirds until last summer. I picked up two potted shrimp plants that were in bloom (not hardy in our zone) and voila hummingbirds! I've always only seen one at a time. This year however, they come to the garden, shrimp plants are out, but have not bloomed and I've seen many (again single) sightings of hummingbirds nearly daily. Keep up the efforts - I hear they come back every year to the same food source. I've had other birds this year that I've never had the pleasure to see in my yard before - all either at my feeders or nearby trees. Cedar waxwings, rose breasted grossbeak, and even a pair of orioles. I did put out an oriole feeder this year - have no idea if they ever used it.
I have delphiniums, columbine, lupine, bee balm, monarda, bell flowers, purple cone flowers, holly hocks, etc.
Hope this helps!
Keep the faith - they'll show up!
Hi Golden_Eagle
Here is an unusual bulb that is Winter hardy, easy to grow and the Hummingbirds have really enjoyed it at my house. I've grown it for the last two years & it starts blooming in late Spring so it's a great one to get things going.
I know it's available from "Brent & Becky's" and also "Scheepers". They grow in clusters, which the hummers like.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1339/
Hi, again - Here's a link for "Bluestone Perennial's Plant Finder". It's easy and fun and can give you all sorts of ideas.
I left it blank, but what you do is put a check-mark on different preferences & conditions, then click on "search". You can change the options over-and-over and there is no obligation to buy anything. It's Bluestone's way of allowing you to see assorted plants that they have to suit your needs.
Oops . . .the link didn't print so I'll try it on the next post.
Here it is, but for some reason it wasn't printing when I left it blank so I had to put in some options. You can change them to your preferences.
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/adv_search_mod.html
Great Link! :)
OH MY GOSH!
WHAT A GREAT SITE!
THANK YOU for sharing.
I'm a pushover for new or unique perennials - My current "shopping cart" is up to nearly $300!!!!!! I'm going to have to move some to the Wish List!
Ha ha - I know a lot of ladies in the group trades/round robin forums that buy a lot there in the spring when they are blowing things out. Like crafts and knick knack/gift shop type places, this is a web-site I am not allowed to go to. :D
Have a great day, and for God's sake stay cool.
A.
AmandaEsq - I love Bluestone and and have purchased many plants from them, most at half price (or close to half price).
During Spring they have a selection of half-price Specials that changes weekly . . .then, towards the end of May, they usually have a half-price clearance on everything . . .and their selection is almost overwhelming! And, yes...it can be dangerous if you're an "addict".
"Stay Cool"?? You have got to be kidding! It's been in the 90's all week and all my plants have their tongues hanging out.
seaotter301 - So glad you enjoyed the site. Wow . . .$300!! Save that Wish List till their Half-Price Sales. I tend to purchase a few at a time when they have things I want on their Weekly sales. They don't actually bill you till they ship so they add all your purchases together and you only pay one shipping charge. Their Customer Service is Awesome. If you have a problem with any plants they will happily replace them. Sometimes, if you have replacement plants coming, they won't even charge you shipping for the rest of your order.