Unfortunately cultivated varieties are bred for looks and not the quality of nectar, so it is best to have the common species predominate. Cardinal flowers prefer light shade and moist soils. A native annual, jewelweed, has orange or yellow summer flowers. It normally grows in shady moist areas and will reseed itself each year. Other perennial plants reported to be good for hummingbirds include butterfly bush, catnip, delphinium, hollyhock, hosta, lavender, lilies, monarda, morning glory, penstemon and red or orange phlox.
Hummingbird feeders supplement the flower nectar.
Commercial foods are available, but you can make your own. Fill the feeder and store the remaining in the refrigerator. There is no need to add red food color. Be sure to change the solution in the feeder every three days or it may spoil. Hummingbirds migrate north as the weather warms and arrive here from mid to late April when they breed.