What Salvia Plant Is Best for Hummingbirds?

Features

• Hummingbirds generally like red flowers with a tubular shape. Many Salvia plants that hummingbirds like have red flowers, but some have other bright colors.

Shrubs

• Some Salvia plants that attract hummingbirds grow as a shrub, including Salvia greggi, Salvia microphylla and Salvia regla. Unlike the other two shrubs, Salvia regla sheds its leaves annually and does not attract ruby-throated hummingbirds. Carolina Nature recommends Salvia greggii, which blooms much of the year and is hardy.

Herbaceous Plants

• Herbaceous Salvia plants that attract hummingbirds include Salvia coccinea, Salvia darcyi, Salvia elegans, Salvia guaranitica, Salvia roemeriana and Salvia splendens. Carolina Nature recommends Salvia guaranitica, which has blue flowers, thrives in the shade and is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 6.