Rhododendron

Catawba Rhododendron

Reaching 4-8′ tall, Catawba Rhododendron full sun to partial shade and blooms in Mid-Late Spring. Catawba Rhododendron is a large native shrub with thick green leaves that provide a fine backdrop for a Hummingbird Garden at any season. In mid to late spring, the plant puts forth large clusters of purplish-pink flowers that attract hummingbirds at a time when the first individuals might be appearing on their migration north. It’s always a treat to see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird spending several minutes probing the rhododendron’s blossoms for nectar. It is considered a perennial evergreen shrub that can grow to 9 feet. Catawba Rhododendron can thrive in moist to dry soil, but is best grown in rich, acidic soil in either full sun or light shade.

Indian Pink

 

Indian Pink (spigelia marilandica) prefers full sun to partial shade and is considered to be Zone 5 tolerant – perhaps to 4 in some locales. It blooms in Early Summer. Although called Indian Pink the flowers are actually bright crimson with a bright yellow lining. It is also known as Woodland Pinkroot. This plant is under-used by hummingbird gardeners but is an excellent plant for a yard with tall established trees that cast light shade beneath them. Indian Pink comes up quite late in the spring, so mark the planting spot to avoid accidentally over-planting it. It is a low-growing plant the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds find easily as they scout the landscape for food sources. It is a perennial that takes well-drained soil in part to full shade.

Honeysuckle

 

Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) grows 4-6′ tall and blooms Mid-Spring. Also called Coral honeysuckle, its foliage resembles that of Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica, which is a foreign invasive that chokes out native vegetation. Trumpet Honeysuckle is a rambling vine with tubular red flowers that are a favorite of Hummingbirds. It grows best in full or partial sun, climbing well on a fence or arbor up to 15 feet in height. Flowers vary in color from red to orange; there are even yellow varieties available at nurseries. Blooms are tube shaped, a bounty of color from mid-spring throughout the summer and doesn’t give up the ghost till we have consistent cold weather conditions! This vine is not invasive, in fact it is one of the most well behaved vines we have, perfect for use on a trellis or a fence line. Every garden should have one (or five!)