Hummingbird Plants for Zone 7

Vines

• In USDA zone 7's warmer areas, the cross vine (Bignonia capreolata) remains evergreen. Its orange-red flowers bloom during May and June. The cross vine grows to 50 feet and its covers trellises, fences and arbors. Another hummingbird magnet is the trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). Its elongated and deep flowers are no problem for the hummingbird. Cultivars include Alabama Crimson, Cedar Lane and John Clayton, notes the University of Connecticut Plant Database. Other vines for this purpose within the zone are the trumpet creeper and common jasmine.

Broadleaf Evergreens

• Many types of rhododendrons and azaleas feature funnel-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. One is Corsage, an evergreen azalea cultivar producing lavender blooms. Corsage grows to 4 feet within USDA zone 7 in partial shade. Other evergreen azalea cultivars, such as Autumn Royalty and Herbert, lure hummingbirds as well. Broadleaf evergreens, such as Purple Pride, develop clusters of flowers, grow to manageable sizes and fulfill different landscaping uses while still attracting these birds. Atlanta is a torch azalea with evergreen foliage, growing in zone 7 and turning out red-purple flowers in May.

Perennials

• Daylilies, columbine, sweet William, common foxglove, hosta, coral bells and the Shasta daisy all generate flowers as perennials that draw hummingbirds. The bearded penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) features cultivars like Jingle Bells growing to 36 inches in full sun. The tubular flowers, orange-red in color, are as long as 2 inches. Sweet Joanne and Prairie Twilight are other cultivars of bearded penstemon for hummingbirds. Zone 7 conditions support the growth of garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), coming in colors such as purple, white and pink. Eden's Glory, Laura, Little Boy and Little Princess are forms of this hummingbird-friendly perennial.

Deciduous Shrubs

• Many kinds of deciduous azalea shrubs attract hummingbirds in USDA zone 7. Among them are roseshell, Korean and pinxterbloom azalea. Lilac cultivars such as Palibin and Bloomerang do the trick, as do Sensation, Little Boy Blue and Charles Joly. Clusters of flowers emerge on weigela cultivars including Dark Horse and Wine and Roses, with hummingbirds frequently visiting them. Smaller shrub forms of the flowering crabapple and Sargent crabapple are hummingbird magnets in this zone.