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Phlox for Hummingbirds

By James & Ruth White

Planting Phlox for hummingbirds is a favorite among gardeners.

Phlox in our perennial garden for hummingbirds.

(This photo is one variety of hummingbird perennials in our garden.)

This easy to grow plant has large captivating bundles of colorful blooms and the loveliest fragrance.

Hummingbirds have a high metabolism and need flowers with an abundant nectar count.This beautiful bloom fits the bill (no pun intended) perfectly.

Your personal locale and the variety you choose will determine when it will bloom and for how long.

It doesn’t matter because hummingbirds always enjoy phlox.

Here in Northern Vermont, our garden Phlox bloom in August and September.

This is the time of year our hummingbirds need to bulk up for the fall migration back to their winter homes in South America and Mexico.

We see them frequenting our flowers all day long.

In addition to the feeders we supply, nectar from flowers is also more important for them in the Fall.

Lanender Phlox in our hummingbird perennial garden.

(Here is another variety in our garden.)

How To Grow

  • This perennial which is one of the best hummingbird flowers grows in zones 4 – 8.
  • Jim and I purchase our plants at Nature Hills Nursery because of reliable service and good quality plants.
  • We have learned that it’s best to plant in full sun to partial shade, shading decreases bloom quality and increases disease problems.
  • It is necessary to plant in soil that drains well. Our soil is clay so we use extra compost.
  • Place plants about a foot apart. To be honest, we haven’t done this but now understand that allowing air circulation helps to prevent disease. If we have any problems, we will plant more spaciously in the future. We do recommend this to anyone. It’s always better to be safe than sorry later.
  • The plant grows to varying heights depending on variety. If you are planting a Hummingbird Garden, we advise planting the tall varieties in the back. The shorter varieties which grow 1 to 2 feet high are suitable for the middle section of the garden.

Its as easy as that to plant Phlox for Hummingbirds!

Coral Phlox Flower

Coral Creme Drop™ Tall Garden Phlox

Sweetly scented First Editions® Coral Crème Drop™ Phlox is an exceptional ornamental perennial with great form, and long-lasting flowers - both in the vase and in the garden. This Garden Phlox stays petite, with strong stems and a very winsome look! Large clusters of sweetly scented coral-colored flowers cover the plants. Look closely to enjoy the creamy white accent on each petal and the noteworthy dark eye.

Make the most of your landscape with these charmingly colorful cuties. You'll be so pleased by their high performance and beautiful flower clusters to decorate your summer months! Cut them to include in special indoor bouquets. Or, leave them as a very popular nectar resource for your neighborhood Hummingbirds and butterflies. Plant plenty, so you can do both!

BUY Coral Creme Tall Garden Phlox
Cotton Candy Phlox Flower

Cotton Candy™ Phlox

This is a compact garden plant that requires very little effort! Achieving superior, summer-long blooms is well within reach, thanks to the help of modern cultivars! Show off your style with these long-blooming plants! Both new gardeners and savvy ones with years of experience can make the most of their summertime fun with help from Cotton Candy™ Phlox.

First Editions® Cotton Candy™ Phlox is a well-branched, green lance-leafed, compact perennial that makes a lovely showing in your landscape. The dazzling display of flowers begins to bloom in early summer and keeps your interest long into fall. Look closely to study their clear, lavender-pink petals accented with white and dark pink eye.

Plant plenty to cut for fragrant indoor arrangements. Don't forget to add cuttings of the dense, lance-shaped, emerald-green foliage to help the massed flowers "pop" in the vase. With proper care and planting site selection, they'll come back for you year after year. Count on Cotton Candy™ to produce generous bouquets of blossoms throughout your entire summer.

Local butterflies and hummingbirds will come to visit your yard all season. Feel great about this nectar-rich ecological resource to support the critical beneficial pollinators in your area!

BUY Cotton Candy™ Phlox
Lilac Phlox Flower

Lilac Garden Phlox

Fire up the landscape! Flame® Pro Lilac Garden Phlox is a dazzling perennial that brings a burst of lavender-lilac blooms to the summer garden. Known for its compact size, this selection is perfect for smaller spaces while still packing a punch with its heavily scented flowers. This variety is part of the esteemed Flame® Pro series, known for its powdery mildew resistance, vigorous growth, and extended bloom season. Expect a stunning floral display from mid to late summer, with potential reblooming into early fall when deadheaded properly.

This herbaceous perennial forms a tidy, well-branched clump of deep green, lance-shaped foliage that remains attractive even when not in bloom. The large flower clusters stand proudly above the foliage, beckoning pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds while offering a delightful fragrance to passersby.

Flame® Pro Lilac Garden Phlox is a favorite in cottage and pollinator gardens, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. Its fragrant blooms make it a perfect choice for cutting gardens, adding charm to fresh floral arrangements. This robust, sun-loving perennial is adaptable to various climates, handling heat and humidity better than many traditional Garden Phlox varieties.

Key Features

  • Compact and dwarf variety, reaching only 12-16 inches tall
  • Lavender-lilac blooms with a sweet fragrance
  • Extended bloom time from mid to late summer with potential reblooming
  • Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
  • Excellent disease resistance, including powdery mildew resistance
  • Ideal for borders, containers, and pollinator gardens
  • Thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8
BUY Lilac Garden Phlox

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Hummingbird Attracting Flowers to Buy!

James & Ruth White

James and Ruth White are Certified Hummingbird Habitat stewards with the International Hummingbird Society, specializing in backyard hummingbird care, behavior, and conservation. With 45+ years of hands-on experience, they have cared for over 1,000 hummingbirds, built two large perennial gardens, and support a community of 30,000+ subscribers through hummingbird-guide.com, their widely followed migration map, and active social channels. They observe hummingbirds daily across 12 home feeders and document their behavior through photography and video.