Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its deep blue flowers carried in Aug and Sep — happy in clay and loam soil.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Maine · Zones 3–6
Native Hummingbird Plants in Maine
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 Maine and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 3–6 — proven performers for Maine's cool, short summers climate across Acadian forest & coastal lowlands, not a generic list. Local standouts include Great Blue Lobelia and Wild Bleeding Heart. 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 Maine
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 3–6 · see this collection in other states.
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its rose pink flowers carried from Apr to Aug — 12–18 in tall.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Built for hummingbirds, with white nectar tubes borne from Jun to Aug, 5–10 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Tubular electric scarlet flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from Jul to Sep; 1–2 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Tubular sky blue flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from Mar to May — spreading 12–18 in.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Hummingbird fuel — slender white tubes too deep for most insects in May and Jun — reaching 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
A magnet for hummingbirds — lavender-blue blooms held in Apr and May for them to probe — for loam ground.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Hummingbirds work its pink flowers in Aug and Sep; for clay and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Hummingbird fuel — slender coral-red tubes too deep for most insects from Apr to Sep — 3–6 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 8–15 ft
- Blooms Apr–Sep
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Tubular red flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from Apr to Jun — hardy in zones 3–8.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Draws hummingbirds with lavender nectar tubes from Jun to Aug; hardy in zones 3–9.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma
Hummingbird fuel — slender scarlet red tubes too deep for most insects in Jul and Aug, cold-hardy to zone 4.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2.5–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Hummingbirds work its lavender-blue flowers from Jun to Sep — spreading 1.5–2 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Tubular pink-white flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill in Apr and May — reaching 4–8 in.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Built for hummingbirds, with frothy white nectar tubes borne 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 Maine
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.