Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved and fascinating birds. Their ability to hover and fly backwards captivates people of all ages. Creating a garden specifically designed to attract hummingbirds allows you to witness their beauty and interesting behaviors up close. When planning a hummingbird garden, the two main factors to focus on are providing nectar-rich flowering plants that bloom throughout the season and creating an environment that meets the habitat needs of hummingbirds.
What plants attract hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are drawn to tubular, brightly colored flowers that provide the nectar they depend on for energy. Some of the top flowering plants that will attract hummingbirds to your yard include:
- Fuchsia
- Petunias
- Columbine
- Trumpet vine
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Salvia
- Nasturtiums
- Honeysuckle
- Morning glory
- Coral bells
- Hostas
When selecting plants, choose a variety of flower colors including red, orange, pink, purple, and white. Hummingbirds are attracted to all of these. Having several plants blooming at once ensures there is always a nectar source available. It’s also essential to include plants that bloom in early spring, peak summer, and late summer/fall so there are flowers year-round.
Where should you place the plants in your yard?
Strategically placing the flowering plants allows you to create an inviting habitat for hummingbirds throughout your yard. Here are some tips on plant placement:
- Plant in clusters – Group 3-7 plants of the same variety together. Hummingbirds are drawn to large patches of color.
- Focus on borders and beds – Edge your yard and garden beds with hummingbird-attracting plants.
- Place near water sources – Provide plants within 10 feet of fountains, sprinklers, ponds, etc. Hummingbirds enjoy bathing and drinking while on the wing.
- Plant near feeders – Locate feeders in shady spots surrounded by flowers, so hummingbirds can dart from a feeder to flowers and back.
- Plant in high traffic areas – Position plants you want to see up close near seating areas, porches, patios, and windows.
What type of habitat do hummingbirds prefer?
In addition to flowering plants, providing habitat features that hummingbirds seek out is key. Here are some tips for creating an attractive environment:
- Provide small trees and shrubs – Hummingbirds often perch in trees between visiting flowers. They also gather nesting materials like lichen and spiderwebs from trees.
- Include a water feature – A mister, fountain, waterfall, or bird bath provides drinking and bathing opportunities.
- Offer insects – Hummingbirds get protein by eating small insects and spiders. Host plants that attract these prey items.
- Provide adequate shelter – Hummingbirds rest in dense vegetation and tree canopies. Windbreaks give protection.
- Eliminate pesticide use – Pesticides reduce insect populations that hummingbirds rely on.
- Set up feeders – Supplement flowers with 1-2 feeders filled with a 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar solution.
Sample layouts for a hummingbird garden
Now that you know the key plants and habitat features to include, here are some example layouts and themes for a hummingbird garden space:
Shady Border
For a shaded garden bed or border, include shade-loving plants like hostas, astilbe, coral bells, impatiens, and begonias. Add a water feature like a fountain or birdbath, include small shrubs for perching, and set up feeders in open areas.
Ornamental Flower Bed
For a colorful flower bed, focus on annuals and perennials like petunias, zinnias, marigolds, salvias, and bee balm. Use tall flowers like delphiniums and gladiolus in the back and shorter flowers in front. Set feeders in the middle or along the edges.
Pollinator Garden
A pollinator-friendly garden benefits hummingbirds as well as bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Use a variety of native flowers, include milkweed and other host plants, provide shrubs and trees, and eliminate pesticide use.
Tropical Garden
For a tropical look, incorporate banana trees, elephant ear, hibiscus, torch ginger, and orchids. Use vines like trumpet vine and passionflower to climb trellises and fences. Tropical plants provide shelter and tall flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Cottage Garden
A cottage garden style produces an informal, natural look using old-fashioned favorites like hollyhocks, coneflowers, lilies, shasta daisies, foxglove, and lilacs. Allow plants to intermingle and weave paths throughout for a relaxed feel.
Tips for maintaining your hummingbird garden
A hummingbird garden requires some simple maintenance to continue meeting the needs of hummingbirds throughout the seasons:
- Deadhead spent flowers to promote new blooms.
- Fertilize flowering plants as needed to support growth.
- Water during dry periods to prevent wilting.
- Trim back growth in fall but leave some plants for late-season color.
- Clean and fill feeders every 2-4 days, more often in hot weather.
- Change the sugar water every 5-7 days to prevent spoilage.
- Clean feeders thoroughly before refilling and when changing location.
- Move feeders to new spots periodically to provide fresh flowers nearby.
Conclusion
Creating a dedicated hummingbird garden provides you with an opportunity to learn about these special birds and observe them up close. Follow the tips outlined here on providing a variety of flowering plants, water sources, shelter, feeders, and other habitat features to successfully attract hummingbirds year-round. With a little planning and proper care, you can create a beautiful space where hummingbirds will flourish.
