Hummingbird plants typically contain substantial amounts of carbohydrate nectar. Hummingbirds have a poor sense of smell therefore the attractant flower typically have little fragrance.
However, hummingbirds do have excellent sense of sight, therefore the flowers they visit are normally red, orange, or yellow.
Hummingbirds, with their long beaks, prefer tubular flowers. Their diet consists primarily of flower nectar.
Since hummingbirds are territorial, plant several groups of flowers to attract more than one bird. A shallow water source nearby can be beneficial.
The following perennial garden plants can be used to attract hummingbirds but please note that this is not intended to be an all inclusive listing but rather a starting point. Experiment with other varieties in order to determine their usefulness as attractants.