I have small, and I do mean small, flower beds around my goldfish ponds where I like to keep seasonal color. Can anyone recommend annuals that attract Hummers and Butterflies? I do have some perennials in the bed - 2 butterly bushes, black and blue salvia, etc. but I want to fill it full of annuals that I can pull out in the fall and replace with pansies, etc.

Thanks,


Gayla
Jackson, Mississippi
Canon S3 IS
Zone 7b; Heat Zone 9 (Ugh)

Gayla
I think I would go with Salvia coccinea Lady in Red or Forest Fire. both stay around 12-18 inches.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Hi Gayla!

Zinnias (small = Profusion, Thumbellina & Lilliput), Cosmos, & Nasturtiums.






Diana
Upstate SC
Zone 7b

For annuals in 7b, I wouldn't be without pentas. With deadheading, they bloom into fall, and the hummers use them constantly. Butterflies love them as well. I'm not sure how well they'd do near a water feature...I always do mine in planters or pots. But I imagine they'd be fine as long as it was full sun.

Zone 7B
North Carolina

I second the pentas suggestion. The hummers seemed to love mine last year. While I really really like the profusion zinnas (they aren't bothered by powdery mildew it seems), the hummers didn't seem real interested in them.
dell

Gayla in your zone pentas should be great. I have them every year planted inground and they just do great. The butterflies can't leave them alone.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Gayla--- I also would vote for lady in red for your small garden. I also am waiting for some seeds to arrive as I also will be starting my germination. Last year I started early feb and had a mess on my hands by may.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Well, I am amazed. I LOVE pentas, and I have never seen a hummingbird checking them out. But with everyone's reports I will have a bunch this year. I do have Lady in Red in the bed, and I'm hoping it will reseed. I have not had much luck with the profusion zinnas, but I may try them again.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. It was 80 today, but it is supposed to be back in the 50's on Sat. Back to reality!

gayla

Gayla
Jackson, Mississippi
Canon S3 IS
Zone 7b; Heat Zone 9 (Ugh)

Gayla,
Unless the birds eat your LIR seed it will self sow for you. It does for me up here in NY. I had forgotten about Pentas. I have had them two years in a row in window boxes along my fence and the hummers have never bothered with mine neitgher have the butterflies for that matter. Maybe because i have so many other hummer plants LOL but they would be a good addition

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39