Marilyn,

Since I'm right across the river from you, I'm wondering if this plant has survived our winters? Since it's supposed to be hardy here...

Karen

Yes, it's hardy here. Have had for at least several or more years now (in the ground).

Have you tried growing it before?

No, I haven't.

I had a big maple tree in my front yard for decades but lost it this year. The clumps of lobelia cardinalis that I'd had out there in front of my porch for years died off during this last hot summer, missing the protection of that tree. I loved how the lobelia brought the hummingbirds right up to the porch, so I wanted to plant something more heat/ drought tolerant in their place, which would also draw hummers. That's why I was thinking about salvias, and whether to go for annuals or perennial...

Thanks for your info, Marilyn.

Karen

I plant both annual and perennial salvias, as well as, other annuals and perennials plants each year for the hummers. (in the ground and in containers)

Some salvias that aren't hardy to zone 6a.....

Amistad Salvia 'Amistad'

Scarlet Spires Hybrid Sage (Salvia 'Scarlet Spires')

Flowers By The Sea has a new and much more superior to Black and Blue for next year, that I'm going to order with Kermit (the owner), it's called 'Rhythm and Blues' Salvia (Salvia coerulea Bodacious® Rhythm and Blues)
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-x-g...

Summer Jewel Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea Summer Jewel™ Red)

Lady in Red Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea 'Lady in Red')

Forest Fire Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'

Wendy's Wish Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'

Cherry Chief Autumn Sage (Salvia Navajo™ Bright Red) (I've planted three in a large container tub and it returned for several years)

Mulberry Jam Hybrid Rose Leaf Sage (Salvia 'Mulberry Jam')

Some salvias that are hardy to zone 6a....

Wild Thing Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Wild Thing')

Heatwave Blaze Sage (Salvia x jamensis Heatwave™ Blaze) (I've planted this one in the ground and a container and they've returned)

I also have Agastaches (Hummingbird Mint or aka Hyssop) growing in the ground and in containers hardy and not hardy varieties. The Anise Hyssops Database

I don't know if you order from Almost Eden, https://almostedenplants.com/s... but I like to get their Porterweed (Stachytarpheta). I really like and have had good results with the
Coral Porterweed Stachytarpheta mutabilis https://almostedenplants.com/s... Red Porterweed (Stachytarpheta mutabilis) I've seen hummers flock to the flowers and even pass up other hummingbird attracting flowers for these flowers. I grow it in a large container tub.

They have other Porterweed varieties https://almostedenplants.com/s... https://garden.org/plants/sear...

I don't know if you grow it or not, but Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler') is a fantastic hummer plant. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler') I keep it deadheaded all season, even into fall.

Of course Red Hot Pokers (aka Torch Lilies aka Kniphofia) The Torch Lilies Database are great for hummers too.

Sorry it's not long enough, but I hope it helps.

Was going through my old emails and came across this link about 5 plants to attract hummers.

http://www.hortmag.com/feature...

Click to read more info, but here they are.

Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
Cigar plant (Cuphea ‘David Verity’)