I've noticed that the larger the planting and the more diversity you have, the more likely the hummers are to find them. As well as the 2 you already mentioned, try red yucca, flame acanthus (a favorite), cigar plant (cuphea ignea), turk's cap. Also, the shape of your feeder could be the reason the wasps are hanging around. The one I use, link below, works really well. Get one that only has 3 feeding ports, since hummers don't usually like to share. Just keep working on attracting them and you will be rewarded. Once they find you they'll return often.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hummer feeder

Usually the hummingbirds will come if they can see the red. Is your feeder in the sun? Or by other blooming plants? Once they come, they will return every year. Be sure to change the water weekly if they have been feeding or not - it goes rancid. Another thing is, they may be feeding but you just haven't seen them. I usually hear them before I see them. I haven't tried this but I read somewhere to put a little petroleum jelly on the feeders to deter the ants. Of course, having a yard that attracts them is also helpful. How about a water feature? That always attracts birds of all kind. My hummingbirds love my crossvine, and I see them feeding off other plants, but they tend to congregate around the feeder. One thing you can also try is to start the water off a little sweeter (1:3 ratio), then dilute it after they are attracted (1:4). Don't give up. If they are not used to coming to your place, they may wait until later in the season before showing up. Be sure to keep fresh solution in your feeder for when they find it. Good luck!

I wipe some vaseline on the string (or whatever you hang them from) and this keeps the ants away.

Mike

The blooms on my red yucca really attract the hummers.

My salvias are the plants attracting my hummers right now... especially the gregii and the black and blue. Later on, they seem to go more for the flame acanthus and the Turk's cap.

my hummers love coral honeysuckle too.

Some of the things mentioned so far don't bloom all that long. The longer the flowers bloom the more likely you are to attract hummers. Pentas may be something you might try. Mexican torch sunflower also draws them all the time here and blooms all summer. I also start some in June so when the spring planted ones get leggy I cut 'em down and let the new growth take over. Maybe a different type feeder too. I've found hummers like some feeders much more than others.

I wish I could tell you the exact secret but they seem to have always been here.

I understand, Leslie. I have the same problem. But now I know what else to try!

I think you're on to something here. I saw my first hummingbird of the season earlier this week. It was going after the red cannas I have in the front yard. I also have some coral honeysuckle on the East side of the house. Good luck!

Another thing I read about keeping wasps and bees from coming to the feeder, make your sugar water less sweet (suggestion is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water). You can also hang a red ribbon near the feeder since they are attracted to that color.

Pam

I have to change my feeders at least every 3 days. More often if they are in sun. Keep the feeders very very clean. Mine will develop mold in them if the syrup isn't changed often enough. Sometimes when its hot and humid even changing them at 3 days they have still gone bad.

Have several types of flowers for them to chose from as well. They'll prefer different ones at different times.

I spread my feeders all around the house. I have 8 of them.
It makes it easier to attract lots of hummers if they're chasing each other all over the place and they can't see all the feeders at once from one spot.

Be consistent with fresh nectar. You won't have a herd of them over night, but next year there will be a few more, and each year after you'll have more and more.

If possible, provide some shaded cover for them, trees and shrubs to sit in while guarding their turf.

Good luck!

I saw my first hummer of the year today. I don't have a feeder but do have black and blue salvia. I first noticed a bunch of hummers last year and it's either the salvia or the four o clocks they are liking.

The hummers around me really like Mexican Bush sage, salvia gregii(pink) and cigar plant. Good luck!

Leslie, I'm in Southlake. I have hummingbirds in my garden everyday. I grow Salvia black & blue which is just beginning to bloom, Turk's Cap, Coral honeysuckle and other red salvias all of which bloom all summer. If you need any salvia black and blue, email me.
Robin

Hummers feed on any tubular flowers of which salvia is one. As far as attracting the hummers and not bees to your feeder: 1 - They have to have natural food sources to attract them and 2 - Mix 1 part table sugar to 5 part water to get ride of the bees and still attract hummers.