Attract Hummingbirds From Spring To Fall With This Gorgeous Fast-Growing Flower

Creating gardens for hummingbirds to enjoy can be a delight, but sometimes it's challenging to provide them with flowers not just for summer, but also for the spring and fall months. So many of hummingbirds' favorites, like the sweet-smelling ismene flower that they can't resist, only bloom during one season, leaving you struggling to attract the birds during the other months they are in your region. Luckily, that's not an issue for autumn sage (Salvia greggii), which, despite its misleading name, blooms during spring and summer as well as fall.

Autumn sage is a favorite of hummingbirds because of its long bloom time and the tubular shape of its flowers. The bright red color is also a feature hummingbirds look for in their ideal blooms. Despite being an herbaceous perennial that dies back each winter in colder parts of its range, autumn sage can quickly reach about 30 inches tall. And hummingbirds aren't the only pollinators that love it; it's also a hit with bees and butterflies. Even songbirds enjoy it for its seeds. Deer, however, aren't fans, and rarely bother the plant, making it a great option for anyone struggling with hungry deer devouring their garden before they can enjoy it.

Native to parts of Texas and Mexico, autumn sage is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9. Try  planting it in spring to give it time to get established if you live in zone 6 and your winters are likely to be borderline too cold. Make sure to plant your sage in a spot with well-draining soil, too. Consider amending with compost to improve the drainage if you have clay-heavy soil that tends to be soggy and waterlogged. If possible, grow your autumn sage in a full sun location where it receives at least 6 hours a day of direct sun. While it can handle light shade, it is prone to becoming leggy and doesn't bloom as well. 

Autumn sage is fairly drought tolerant and is ideal for gardeners who want to attract hummingbirds while still being water-wise in their gardening. It also handles salty soil without problem. This can make it a good option not just for coastal gardeners but also those who live in areas where salt is commonly used as a winter deicer. 

As autumn sage grows into a roughly 3 foot by 3 foot shrub-like form, it's perfect for creating a backdrop in borders and pollinator gardens. And it looks stunning either when planted alone or when paired with other flowers that will also easily attract hummingbirds to your garden. You can also grow it near hummingbird swings and perches to help encourage more frequent visits.