Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its lavender-blue flowers carried in Apr and May; cold-hardy to zone 3.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Delaware · Zone 7
Native Hummingbird Plants in Delaware
Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. Every species here is genuinely native to Delaware and the wider flora of the Mid-Atlantic and hardy through zone 7 — proven performers for Delaware's mild, humid climate across Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens & Piedmont, not a generic list. Local standouts include Woodland Phlox and Great Blue Lobelia. Hummingbirds are wired to investigate red and orange tubular flowers, so a few well-placed natives will out-pull a feeder and never need cleaning. Stagger bloom times so there is nectar from spring migration through fall departure, and plant near a perch or shrub where the birds can rest between feedings.
The plants
15 native species for Delaware
Each one native to your region and hardy in zone 7 · see this collection in other states.
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Built for hummingbirds, with deep blue nectar tubes borne in Aug and Sep; cold-hardy to zone 4.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
Hummingbirds work its rose pink flowers from Apr to Aug — 12–18 in tall.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Hummingbirds work its white flowers from Jun to Aug, 5–10 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata
Tubular orange-red flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Apr and May; reaching 25–50 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 25–50 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
A magnet for hummingbirds — red blooms held from Apr to Jun for them to probe — 1–2.5 ft tall.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
A hummingbird flower — turban red tubular blooms from May to Oct, 2–5 ft tall.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 2–5 ft
- Blooms May–Oct
Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma
Tubular scarlet red flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Jul and Aug, reaching 2.5–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2.5–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Hummingbird fuel — slender white tubes too deep for most insects in May and Jun — happy in clay, rocky, and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Hummingbirds work its electric scarlet flowers from Jul to Sep, for clay and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
A hummingbird flower — coral-red tubular blooms from Apr to Sep, reaching 8–15 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 8–15 ft
- Blooms Apr–Sep
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
A magnet for hummingbirds — pink blooms held in Aug and Sep for them to probe — good through zone 9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its sky blue flowers carried from Mar to May, cold-hardy to zone 3.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Draws hummingbirds with lavender nectar tubes from Jun to Aug — happy in clay, rocky, and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Tubular frothy white flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from May to Jul; for sand, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Sourcing
Where to find these in Delaware
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.