Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Draws hummingbirds with lavender-blue nectar tubes in Apr and May; for loam ground.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
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Washington, D.C. · Zone 7
Native Hummingbird Plants in Washington, D.C.
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 Washington, D.C. and the wider flora of the Mid-Atlantic and hardy through zone 7 — proven performers for Washington, D.C.'s humid, four-season climate across Northern Piedmont & Potomac fall line, not a generic list. Local standouts include Woodland Phlox and Buttonbush. 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
14 native species for Washington, D.C.
Each one native to your region and hardy in zone 7 · see this collection in other states.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
A magnet for hummingbirds — white blooms held from Jun to Aug for them to probe, for clay and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata
Hummingbird fuel — slender orange-red tubes too deep for most insects in Apr and May — cold-hardy to zone 6.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 25–50 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
A hummingbird flower — rose pink tubular blooms from Apr to Aug, reaching 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
A magnet for hummingbirds — lavender blooms held from Jun to Aug for them to probe, happy in clay, rocky, and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its scarlet red flowers carried in Jul and Aug; hardy in zones 4–9.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2.5–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Draws hummingbirds with electric scarlet nectar tubes from Jul to Sep, happy in clay and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Built for hummingbirds, with red nectar tubes borne from Apr to Jun — spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Tubular pink flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Aug and Sep — 2–4 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Built for hummingbirds, with deep blue nectar tubes borne in Aug and Sep; happy in clay and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Hummingbirds work its coral-red flowers from Apr to Sep; reaching 8–15 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 8–15 ft
- Blooms Apr–Sep
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
A magnet for hummingbirds — sky blue blooms held from Mar to May for them to probe — happy in loam soil.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Hummingbirds work its white flowers in May and Jun — good through zone 8.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
A hummingbird flower — frothy white tubular blooms from May to Jul; happy in sand, rocky, and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Sourcing
Where to find these in Washington, D.C.
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.