Variegated Wiegela

 

The Variegated Wiegela (Weigela florida) is a compact, deciduous shrub growing 4-6′ high and wide. It has gray leaves with yellow/cream fringes, and dark pink flowers. Dark pink flowers with pale pink-white interiors appear in late spring to early summer, which are attractive to hummingbirds.

Gold edged leaves and glossy green centers make flowers really stand out in the landscape. Good for borders, screens, or specimens.

Though a zone 4b, some tip die-back may occur in the most northern zones over winter if temps are severe.

Trumpet Creeper

Trumpet Creeper (Campas radicans) is a native vine, exceptional for attracting hummingbirds. Though tolerant of many soil conditions, it is best planted in average, well-drained soil at the base of a fence, trellis, pergola, or tree where for support. With support, it can grow 20m high.

Flowers can bloom from June through September;  profusely in full sun, and less so in shade or partial shade. Flowers are usually orange, but cultivars in yellow or deep red are available as well. It can easily be transplanted from well established plants because of its hardiness, and its spreading ability.

Trumpet Vine can spread quickly in the right conditions; sending out runners underground. For this reason, containment such as raised flower beds or planters may be important in smaller areas. Also, be wary of yellow cultivars as that color may not be best suited to attracting hummingbirds.

Spotted Jewelweed

 

Spotted Jewelweed, a.k.a. Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) is a July-October blooming plant. Jewelweed is an annual that is also called “Touch-me-not” because its pods will fling out seeds upon contact. Hummingbirds are quite attracted to the orange-flowered Spotted Jewelweed, but not as much to the yellow form,  Impatiens pallida, which prefers alkaline soils. Jewelweed grows well in moist soil, and prefers partial to full shade. Blooms last from mid-summer till frost, and are Orange with reddish-brown spots, That same characteristic of exploding seed pods enable this plant to take over your garden as it re-seeds where it is happy. Fortunately it is very easy to pluck the undesirable strays from the soil. An important nectar source in the wild and a great hummingbird magnet in the garden.