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Kansas · Zones 5–7

Native Hummingbird Plants in Kansas

Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. For Kansas, the right natives are shaped by Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie and a continental, windy, semi-arid west climate. Every species below, from Great Blue Lobelia and Wild Columbine to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Kansas and the wider flora of the Great Plains and hardy through zones 5–7. 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

8 native species for Kansas

Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.

Perennial wildflower

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, a hummingbird flower — deep blue tubular blooms in Aug and Sep; 12–18 in wide.

  • Full–part sun
  • Average–wet
  • 2–3 ft
  • Blooms Aug–Sep
Perennial wildflower

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, a hummingbird flower — red tubular blooms from Apr to Jun; cold-hardy to zone 3.

  • Part shade
  • Dry–average
  • 1–2.5 ft
  • Blooms Apr–Jun
Perennial wildflower

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, tubular white flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in May and Jun — hardy in zones 3–8.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry–average
  • 2–4 ft
  • Blooms May–Jun
Perennial wildflower

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, hummingbirds work its pink flowers in Aug and Sep, 2–4 ft tall.

  • Full–part sun
  • Average–wet
  • 2–4 ft
  • Blooms Aug–Sep
Shrub

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, tubular white flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from Jun to Aug — for clay and loam ground.

  • Full–part sun
  • Average–wet
  • 5–10 ft
  • Blooms Jun–Aug
Perennial wildflower

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, draws hummingbirds with lavender nectar tubes from Jun to Aug — 1.5–2 ft wide.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry–average
  • 2–4 ft
  • Blooms Jun–Aug
Perennial wildflower

Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, draws hummingbirds with lavender-blue nectar tubes from Jun to Sep; spreading 1.5–2 ft.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry–average
  • 2–4 ft
  • Blooms Jun–Sep
Shrub

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

In Kansas's Flint Hills & mixedgrass prairie, built for hummingbirds, with frothy white nectar tubes borne from May to Jul — hardy in zones 3–8.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry
  • 2–3.5 ft
  • Blooms May–Jul
Sourcing

Where to find these in Kansas

Seeds & live plants on Amazon

Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.

Browse on Amazon

Some 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.