Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
A hummingbird flower — lavender tubular blooms from Jun to Aug — reaching 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. For Nebraska, the right natives are shaped by Sandhills & mixedgrass prairie and a continental, semi-arid west climate. Every species below, from Wild Bergamot and Wild Columbine to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Nebraska and the wider flora of the Great Plains and hardy through zones 4–6. 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.
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 4–6 · see this collection in other states.
Monarda fistulosa
A hummingbird flower — lavender tubular blooms from Jun to Aug — reaching 2–4 ft.
Aquilegia canadensis
Hummingbird fuel — slender red tubes too deep for most insects from Apr to Jun, reaching 1–2.5 ft.
Physostegia virginiana
Hummingbirds work its pink flowers in Aug and Sep, 2–4 ft tall.
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Hummingbirds work its white flowers from Jun to Aug; 5–10 ft tall.
Lobelia siphilitica
A hummingbird flower — deep blue tubular blooms in Aug and Sep — 2–3 ft tall.
Agastache foeniculum
A hummingbird flower — lavender-blue tubular blooms from Jun to Sep; 1.5–2 ft wide.
Penstemon digitalis
A hummingbird flower — white tubular blooms in May and Jun, 2–4 ft tall.
Ceanothus americanus
A nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its frothy white flowers carried from May to Jul, spreading 2.5–4 ft.
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.