Want to try plants that are new and beautiful, yet still attract wildlife?

New plant cultivars appear on the scene all the time. However, these varieties from the National Garden Bureau are especially stunning.

Most attract hummingbirds as well as butterflies and other pollinators, unless stated otherwise.

Monarda 'Bergamo'

Monarda hybrida

Monarda 'Bergamo', National Gardening Bureau

Monarda spp. tend to attract hummingbirds as well as butterflies and other pollinators. This particular hybrid should be no exception.

This hybrid is also perfect for the small outdoor space, having a compact shape (its maximum height is 24 inches). The flower clusters are rose-purple in color and appear early.

Salvia 'Mojave'

Salvia splendens

Salvia 'Mojave', National Gardening Bureau

At 14-inches tall, this salvia is ideal for a container on your wildlife porch, patio, deck, or balcony. Its dark green leaves and brilliant red flower spikes will liven up your outdoor space.

Salvia splendens supposedly attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. I did find one article that indicated it was a poor nectar source, but then I found reports of it attracting hummingbirds.

Zinnia F1 'Distance Mix'

Zinnia elegans

Zinnia F1 'Distance Mix', National Gardening Bureau

'Distance Mix' is early blooming, more heat tolerant, and around 12 to 16 inches tall. The colorful flowers, at most 3 inches wide, range from yellow to cherry to white and are semi-double to double flowering.

Zinnias are colorful, easy to grow, and attract birds and insects, including butterflies and hummingbirds. Swallowtail, Monarch, Painted Lady, and other butterflies enjoy the flowers' nectar. Hummingbirds eat up the tiny insects drawn to the flowers. Sparrows, goldfinches, and other birds gobble the zinnia's seeds.

Salvia 'Cathedral™ Sky Blue'

Salvia farinacea

Salvia 'Cathedral™ Sky Blue', National Gardening Bureau

More compact in habit and measuring in at 16 to 20 inches tall, 'Cathedral™ Sky Blue' can be grown in an container. Its flowers are larger on blue spikes 3-inches tall.

The flowers will attract hummingbirds and bees. Salvia farinacea is reported to attract butterflies, but I couldn't find specific details as to what butterflies.

Rudbeckia F1 'Tiger Eye Gold'

Rudbeckia hirta

Rudbeckia F1 'Tiger Eye Gold', National Gardening Bureau

Reaching 24 inches tall, 'Tiger Eye Gold' is a hardy plant with uniform flowers.

Rudbeckia flowers attract a few butterflies such as the Red Admiral and Comma, but you are better off trying coneflowers for more butterflies. However, rudbeckia seeds are attractive to finches, chickadees, and other wild birds.

Impatiens F1 'Jambalaya™ Formula Mix'

Impatiens wallerana

Impatiens F1 'Jambalaya™ Formula Mix', National Gardening Bureau

Impatiens tend to attract hummingbirds as well as butterflies and other pollinators. This collection is a very showy way to do just that.

Bracteantha 'Mohave™ Autumn Bronze'

Bracteantha bracteata

Impatiens F1 'Jambalaya™ Formula Mix', National Gardening Bureau

This upright, 16-inch tall Australian plant of the aster family has bright yellow-orange flowers and works well in a container. It can attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Calibrachoa 'MiniFamous™ Double Blue'

Begonia x tuberhybrida

Calibrachoa 'MiniFamous™ Double Blue', National Gardening Bureau

Somewhat less attractive to hummingbirds, Calibrachoa may be showy enough to make up for the difference. It's double flowering and trailing, a 4-inch tall plant. It's a relatively new genus of plant on the market, and it does well in a hanging basket or other container.

Begonia F1 'Nonstop® Mocca Pink Shades'

Begonia x tuberhybrida

Begonia F1 'Nonstop® Mocca Pink Shades', National Gardening Bureau

Perfect for shady outdoor areas, this 12-inch-tall begonia has chocolate leaves and 4-inch double pink flowers. Although not widely hailed as an attractor of wildlife, the begonia has been reported to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.