Plants for the
Hummingbird Garden

Botanical Name Antigonon leptopus
Common Name Coral Vine, Queen's Wreath    
Attribute Perennial Vine. Bright pink flowers in the summer and fall. Medium green, heart shaped leaves the whole summer long.
Cultural Requirements Full sun for best flowers. Adequate water for best flower display.
Mature size, Spacing Will climb to 30' if given the right conditions. Easily grows to 15'-20'. Needs support.
Other Information beebflyhummer Slow to start by seed. Dies back after frost, to return in Spring.

Botanical Name Anisacanthus wrightii   
Common Name Hummingbird Bush, Flame Acanthus
Attribute Perennial Shrub
Cultural Requirements Full sun
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 40", spread to 5' around.
Other Information bflyhummer Narrow dark orange tubular blossoms cover this shrub making it very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Narrow medium green leaves. Nice speciman in a large garden or all on its own.


Botanical Name Tecoma radicans, Campsis radicans
Common Name Trumpet Creeper, 'Madame Galen'
Attribute Vigorous perennial, evergreen creeper
Cultural Requirements Full sun to part shade, average water
Mature size, Spacing Can grow quite large and cover walls, trees, etc.
Other Information Has suckers for climbing, will crawl on ground, very vigorous. Mature speciman can be pruned into "tree" shape.
Availability Anytime

Botanical Name Dicliptera superecta
Common Name Uruguyan Firecracker Plant, King's Mantle    
Attribute Hardy perennial, to Zone 7a.
Cultural Requirements Full sun to part shade. Low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: 18" - 24" tall.
Other Information beebflyhummerReddish/orange blooms all summer. Medium green, silvery, velvety leaves. Also known as: Justicia suberecta, Jacobinia suberecta

Botanical Name Hammelia spp.
Common Name Mexican Fire Bush    
Attribute Perennial Shrub
Cultural Requirements Full Sun.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 5'. Spread to 4' or 5'.
Other Information bflyhummer Orange tubular shaped flowers attract butterflies in summer and fall. Medium size, slightly hairy dark green leaves. Good shrub for background planting.

Botanical Name Hibiscus acetocella "Coppertone"
Common Name Red Hibiscus
Attribute Tender Perennial, Annual.
Cultural Requirements Full sun, average water.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 4', 2'-3' spread.
Other Information teapot Beautiful dark reddish, coppery leaves and dark rose flowers. Use flowers for a lovely tea.

Botanical Name Hibiscus coccineus
Common Name Texas Red Star Hibiscus    
Attribute Perennial. Red flowers to 4" across with "star" pattern in green on petals. Narrow, deeply lobed leaves.
Cultural Requirements Full sun, low water.
Mature size, Spacing Grows to 6'. Very branching habit.
Other Information beebflyPlant responds well to some light pruning to increase branching and flower production. Plant goes dormant in winter and regrows in Spring. Easy from seed. Soak seed overnight prior to planting. Germinates at 70 deg. F.

Botanical Name Justicia brandegeana
Common Name Shrimp Plant    
Attribute Perennial
Cultural Requirements Full sun to part shade or dappled light.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 30", spread to 30" or 3'.
Other Information bflyhummerCurved bracts in a soft coral or "shrimp pink" color surround small white flowers. Medium green leaves are softly hairy. Old fashioned garden plant invaluable for a Cottage Garden or Perennial Bed.

Botanical Name Justicia californica
Common Name Chuparosa
Attribute Perennial
Cultural Requirements Full sun to part shade. Low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 5', spread to 4'.
Other Information bflyhummer Red tubular flowers bloom in spring and throuout the year. Grayish green foliage. Very drought tolerant, desert plant.

Botanical Name Justicia spicigera
Common Name Mexican Bush Honeysuckle    
Attribute Perennial shrub, evergreen where hardy. Root hardy to Zone 7, evergreen to Zone 9.
Cultural Requirements Full sun, average water.
Mature size, Spacing Grows to about 4' X 4'.
Other Information bflybeehummer Tubular orange flowers.

Botanical Name Malvaviscus arboreus
Common Name Turk's Cap   
Attribute Perennial shrub. Deciduous. Red, fez-like flowers turn into red berries in fall.
Cultural Requirements Full sun to part shade. Plant grows more upright, less sprawling in part shade. Blooms just as well in part shade. Average soil and water.
Mature size, Spacing Grows from 3'-5'.
Other Information bfly hummerEasy to grow. Not bothered by adverse conditions.

Botanical Name Malvaviscus arboreus drummondii
Common Name Giant Turk's Cap
Attribute Perennial shrub.
Cultural Requirements Full sun to part shade. Average soil and water.
Mature size, Spacing Grows from 5' to 6' , spreads to about 3'.
Other Information bfly hummerEasy to grow. Not bothered by adverse conditions. Deciduous. Red, fez-like flowers bloom all during the warm season.

Botanical Name Russelia equisetiformis
Common Name Yellow RusseliaFirecracker Fern, Firecracker Plant
Attribute Tender perennial shrub with arching branches with ferny appearance. Where happy and doesn't freeze back, can grow to 8 or 10 feet in height. Narrow, red tubular flowers are hummingbird magnets.
Cultural Requirements Sun-part shade, average water.
Mature size, Spacing Height: in ground to 4' - 8'. In containers branches grow to about 30" or so.
Other Information Well suited for container and hanging basket culuture, especially where not winter hardy.  beebflyhummer

Botanical Name Russelia equisetiformis, yellow
Common Name Yellow RusseliaYellow Firecracker Plant
Attribute Like red form, tender perennial shrub with arching branches with ferny appearance. Where happy and doesn't freeze back, can grow to 8 or 10 feet in height. Narrow, yellow tubular flowers are hummingbird magnets.
Cultural Requirements Sun-part shade, average water.
Mature size, Spacing Height: in ground to 4' - 8'. In containers branches grow to about 30" or so.
Other Information Well suited for container and hanging basket culuture, especially where not winter hardy. Planted with red form, creates an interesting contrast. Will not cross with red form.  beebflyhummer

Botanical Name Russelia sarmontosa
Common Name Russelia    
Attribute Tender perennial shrub with arching or scrambling branches with broad sticky leaves and whorls of tubular red flowers on long spikes.
Cultural Requirements Part shade, average water.
Mature size, Spacing To 5' X 5'.
Other Information hummerBlooms October-December in mild areas.

Botanical Name Salvia coccinea, "Lady in Red"
Common Name Texas Sage, red; Hummingbird Sage    
Attribute Perennial or reseeding annual
Cultural Requirements Sun to part shade, average to low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 36"
Other Information beebflyhummerBright red flowers are hummingbird magnet. Nice in large planting or as specimen plant. In mild climate, is almost ever-blooming, especially if deadheaded or cut back occasionally.

Botanical Name Salvia coccinea, "Coral Nymph"
Common Name Texas sage, Coral Nymph   
Attribute Perennial or reseeding annual
Cultural Requirements Sun to part shade, average to low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 20". Similar to S. coccinea "Alba" in size and shape.
Other Information beebflyhummerLovely coral color blooms all year in mild climates, especially if deadheaded or cut back occasionally.

Botanical Name Salvia darcyii
Common Name Salvia darcyii    
Attribute Perennial, Yucca Do Nursery in Texas reports this variety to have weathered short time at 4 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Can take full sun, even in south. Drought tolerant when established.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to 3', width: to 3'
Other Information beebflyhummerFlowers are long clusters of bright red blossoms shooting out of branch tips. Plant is very branched from base with fully 3' stems. Leaves approx. 2" long, light green. Tropical looking.

Botanical Name Salvia greggii, Red
Common Name Autumn Sage    
Attribute Nearly evergreen perennial. Blooms all season off and on until frost.
Cultural Requirements Full sun to dappled shade. Low water, but will accept weekly watering. Needs good drainage.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to about 30" and bushy.
Other Information beebfly hummer Texas selection with dark red flowers, small, shiny bright green leaves.

Botanical Name Salvia greggi, Pink
Common Name Autumn Sage, Pink Salvia Greggii
Attribute Nearly evergreen perennial. Blooms all season off and on until frost.
Cultural Requirements Full sun to dappled shade. Low water, but will accept weekly watering. Needs good drainage.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to about 30" and bushy.
Other Information beebfly hummer Medium pink flowers, small, shiny bright green leaves.

Botanical Name Salvia greggii 'Raspberry Royale'
Common Name Autumn Sage, Salvia greggii, Raspberry Royale
Attribute Nearly evergreen perennial. Blooms all season off and on until frost.
Cultural Requirements Full sun to dappled shade. Low water, but will accept weekly watering. Needs good drainage.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to about 30" and bushy.
Other Information beebfly hummer Dark fuscia flowers glow in the sun, small, shiny bright green leaves.

Botanical Name Salvia guaranitica, "Black and Blue"
Common Name Salvia guaranitica, "Black and Blue"
Attribute Tender Perennial
Cultural Requirements Sun, part shade in south.
Mature size, Spacing Where evergreen, grows to 6', otherwise to about 3'.
Other Information hummerbeebfly Dark blue flower with very dark violet calyxes. Dramatic. Origin: South America. This variety is one of the best hummingbird plants around, since it is in bloom most of the warm months of the year. It also forms tubers and is susceptible to being eaten by voles or moles. Incorporating gravel or small rock into the soil may discourage digging mammals. It spreads by rhizomes, but is not really invasive like S. uliginosa, which can be invasive in rich soil or a small garden space. 

Botanical Name Salvia leucantha
Common Name Mexican Bush Sage    
Attribute Perennial
Cultural Requirements Full Sun, Low Water
Mature size, Spacing Grows to 3'-4' if winter freezes it back, can be larger in frost free areas. Space 4' apart.
Other Information beebfly Flowers purple with purple calyces grow out of tip of branches.

Botanical Name Salvia leucantha 'Anthony Parker'
Common Name Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia Anthony Parker    
Attribute Perennial. Probably hardy to about 15 deg. F, though the tops are burned back at 20-25 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Full Sun, Low Water
Mature size, Spacing Grows to 3'-4' if winter freezes it back, can be larger in frost free areas. Space 4' apart.
Other Information beebfly In fall and winter long clusters of deep indigo blue blossoms with dark calyxes are borne in succession at the shoot tips. Leaves are up to 5" long, broadest near the base and tapered to a point. They are deep green and attractively veined.

Botanical Name Salvia melissodora
Common Name Grape scented sage
Attribute Perennial, upright and bushy with many slender branches. Hardy to about 25 deg. F. or less.
Cultural Requirements Full sun to part shade, good drainage and air circulation. Regular watering will keep it blooming all season.
Mature size, Spacing Grows to about 4', but can reach 6' where it never dies back.
Other Information beebfly hummer Lovely violet-purple flowers with pale lavender lower lip. It seems to bloom most of the year where hardy, with many short stalks carrying interrupted clusters of fragrant flowers. Leaves are mid-green in color. A real winner!

Botanical Name Salvia mexicana, 'Limelight'
Common Name Salvia mexicana, Limelight    
Attribute Perennial, hardy to around 20 deg. F, foliage may be damaged at around 25 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Half day sun in south, outside of south, can take full sun with adequate water. Occasional deep watering is best. Prune to about 2' after flowering to keep shape.
Mature size, Spacing Can grow from 6' to 10', where perfectly hardy.
Other Information beebfly hummer Flowers are dark blue-violet with chartreuse calyces, blooming in late summer and fall. Nearly erect branches and broad, satiny dark green leaves 3"-5" long.

Botanical Name Salvia mexicana 'Lollie Jackson'
Common Name Salvia mexicana, Lollie Jackson    
Attribute Bushy perennial, similar to other S. mexicana.
Cultural Requirements Half day sun in south, outside of south, can take full sun with adequate water. Occasional deep watering is best. Prune to about 1' after flowering to keep shape.
Mature size, Spacing More compact than other S. mexicana varieties, growing only to about 4'.
Other Information beebfly hummer Dark blue-violet flowers with dark calyces. Medium green leaves.

Botanical Name Salvia mexicana 'Ocampo'
Common Name Salvia mexicana, Ocampo    
Attribute Bushy perennial. Same hardiness as other S. mexicana varieties.
Cultural Requirements Half day sun in south, outside of south, can take full sun with adequate water. Occasional deep watering is best. Prune to about 2' after flowering to keep shape.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to about 7', very upright form.
Other Information beebfly hummer Dark, blue-purple flowers in late summer and fall.

Botanical Name Salvia mexicana 'Snowflake'
Common Name Salvia mexicana, Snowflake    
Attribute Upright, bushy perennial.
Cultural Requirements Half day sun in south, can take full sun outside of deep south. Occasional deep watering is best. Prune to about 2' after flowering to keep shape.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: 6'-8' or more.
Other Information beebfly hummer White flowers with green calyces, mid green leaves.

Botanical Name Salvia mexicana 'Tula'
Common Name Salvia mexicana, Tula    
Attribute Bushy perennial to 8' or more.
Cultural Requirements Half day sun in south, can take full sun outside of deep south. Occasional deep watering is best. Prune to about 2' after flowering to keep shape.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: 8'-10'. Bushy and erect.
Other Information beebfly hummer Midnight blue/purple flowers. Same bushy erect form as other S. mexicana varieties.

Salvia microphylla
This species is part of a botanical complex with S. greggii, S. muelleri and S. coahuilensis. Distinguishing them sometimes requires a trained botanist, though each has many beautiful forms. It is a profusely branched shrub with slender young stems and usually small, flat, green leaves. The flowers are of variable size, up to perhaps 1" long and broad, much like those of S. greggii in form, and borne most of the year in loose clusters at the shoot tips. Colors range from white to intense violet, rose pink and fire engine red. Most forms are easily grown and drought tolerant, though their hardiness varies considerably
Botanical Name Salvia microphylla, 'San Caros Festival'
Common Name Salvia San Carlos Festival
Attribute Perennial. Probably hardy to about 15 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Full sun outside of deep south, some shade in south. Average to low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Thick dome of a plant, 2'-3' high and perhaps twice that in breadth, with broad, slightly grey-green leaves
Other Information beebfly hummer Large bright magenta flowers most of the year. Striking!

Botanical Name Salvia microphylla 'Maraschino Cherry'
Common Name Salvia Maraschino Cherry    
Attribute Perennial. Probably hardy to about 15 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Full sun outside of deep south, some shade in south. Average to low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Thick dome of a plant, 2'-3' high and perhaps twice that in breadth, with broad, slightly grey-green leaves
Other Information beebfly hummer Bright reddish/pink flowers.

Botanical Name Salvia microphylla 'Orange Door'
Common Name Salvia Orange Door
Attribute Perennial. Probably hardy to about 15 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Full sun outside of deep south, some shade in south. Average to low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Thick dome of a plant, 2'-3' high and perhaps twice that in breadth, with broad, slightly grey-green leaves
Other Information beebfly hummer Bright pinkish/orange flowers.

Botanical Name Salvia microphylla spp., red
Common Name Red Microphylla
Attribute Perennial. Probably hardy to about 15 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Full sun outside of deep south, some shade in south. Average to low water usage.
Mature size, Spacing Thick dome of a plant, 2'-3' high and perhaps twice that in breadth, with broad, slightly grey-green leaves
Other Information beebfly hummer Bright red flowers. Similar to other S. microphylla in habit and cultivation.

Botanical Name Salvia miniata
Common Name Salvia miniata    
Attribute Perennial, but not frost hardy. Lift for winter or take cuttings.
Cultural Requirements Likes high shade, moist, humusy soil. Prune for shape just before growth begins in spring. Cut to 2 nodes about 6" above ground.
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to about 3', with similar spread.
Other Information hummer Shiny, smooth myrtle-green leaves and bright, neon red flowers. Spectacular.

Botanical Name Salvia spp. "Purple Majesty"
Common Name Salvia, Purple Majesty beebflyhummer
Attribute Perennial, hardy to around 10 deg. F.
Cultural Requirements Full sun, part shade in South, average water, good drainage
Mature size, Spacing Ht: to about 5'.
Other Information Cross between S. guaranitica and S. gesneraeflora. Purple blooms from late summer until frost, provide food for hummingbirds migrating to Mexico.