early plants for northeast gardens

Hi, I'm fairly new to Daves Garden and definately new to attracting hummers. I only have one hummer that appears in late summer on my native honeysuckle (lonceria sempervirens). I'm in N.J. in zone 6. I would like to plant some early blooming natives to get earlier visits. I've read in "Noahs Garden" by Sara Stein, that mullien leaves (not native) are used for nesting material and NJ tea (ceanothus americanus-native) to attract small flies to feed the babies. She also mentions Siberian pea tree as a early attracter but does not recommend planting it, not native and invasive? Any other suggestions?

I've looked through this site with great delight. I've noted the suggestions for annuals, which i don't have and can add. I do have native colombine and can add more. I would rather not add feeders, are they absolutely necessary?

Also I temporarily moved the song bird feeder to that area and now I have many birds hiding in the vines . If I move the feeder soon will they leave so the hummers can come back or did I make a big mistake? Construction in the back forced me to move the feeder for the winter.

Thanks for your help, as you can tell I'm a complete novice.
Pixie

Pixie

I am relatively near you in NJ. I have tons of columbine seeds...do you want some? If so send me a D-mail.

HM