# 7 Native Perennials to Plant Now for Migrating Hummingbirds > September planting gives these nectar-rich natives time to root, and gives hummingbirds fuel for the long flight south. - Title: 7 Native Perennials to Plant Now for Migrating Hummingbirds - Summary: September planting gives these nectar-rich natives time to root, and gives hummingbirds fuel for the long flight south. Plant native perennials in September… - Keywords: hummingbirds, native plants, perennials, fall gardening, pollinators, design, lifestyle, Native, Plant, Migrating, Homes and Gardens - Source: Homes and Gardens — https://homesandgardens.com/gardens/native-perennials-to-plant-in-september - Published: 2026-09-12T07:30:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: hummingbirds, native plants, perennials, fall gardening, pollinators, design, lifestyle ## Plant now, feed later September soil is warm and moist, so perennials root before dormancy and come back strong in spring. Put them in beds, borders, or containers. ## Migration runs on nectar Hummingbirds burn through fuel during spring and fall migration. A garden full of nectar-rich blooms becomes a refueling stop on a very long trip. ## Cardinal flower, built for beaks Lobelia cardinalis grows red tubular spikes that are shaped and colored for hummingbirds. It depends on them for pollination more than on any insect. ## Pollen on the head As a hummingbird feeds, the male part of the cardinal flower brushes the top of its head, carrying pollen to the next bloom. > The male part of the flower brushes the top of the hummingbird's head as it feeds ## Cardinal flower likes shade Hardy in zones 3-9, it handles part shade better than most hummingbird plants. Keep the soil moist and mulch each year. ## Bee balm reaches deeper Monarda's spiky blooms are tubular, so a hummingbird's long beak and tongue get nectar that shorter insect mouthparts cannot touch. ## Go scarlet Monarda comes in many colors, but scarlet bee balm pulls in hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Red is the color that gets noticed. ## Bee balm wants sun Plant in a sunny spot with compost or well-rotted manure worked in, and keep soil moist the first year. Shade cuts flowering. ## Sow bee balm in fall Seeds sown outdoors now get the natural cold stratification they need to germinate. Skip that chill and you get nothing. ## Goldenrod for late meals Solidago blooms in fall with yellow nectar clusters. It mostly serves bees and butterflies, but hummingbirds drop in for a meal. ## Goldenrod is not the culprit It grows tall for the back of a border, thrives in zones 3-9 and poor soil. The sneezing blamed on it is really ragweed, which blooms at the same time. > The reality is that ragweed, which looks similar and blooms at the same time, is responsible for this ## Asters extend the season More than a hundred native varieties exist, from New England to California. Daisy-like flowers swarm with late-season pollinators and reach up to six feet. ## Leave asters standing Give them full sun and well-draining soil, and deadhead through the season. Do not cut them back in fall; the stems shelter insects over winter. ## Blazing star, a prairie magnet Liatris sends up fuzzy purple, pink, or white spikes that open from the top down over weeks. Butterflies mob it and hummingbirds stop by. ## Blazing star asks for little Plant corms in fall in milder climates, in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established it needs only light watering in hot spells. ## Beardtongue in red Penstemon's deep tubular blooms flare at the tip and suit a long beak. Pick a red variety for hummingbird attention, and deadhead to keep flowers coming. ## Hummingbird mint, 360-degree buffet Agastache's tubular flowers come off tall stalks at every angle, blooming late. Anise hyssop adds lavender-blue spikes and licorice-scented leaves. > creating a 360-degree buffet for hummingbirds ## Key takeaway Plant native perennials in September so roots establish before winter, and favor red tubular blooms that hummingbirds can reach and other insects cannot.