Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved backyard birds. With their diminutive size, iridescent feathers, and amazing aerial abilities, it’s no wonder people enjoy watching them flit about their gardens. If you want to attract more hummingbirds to your yard, creating a garden specifically for them is one of the best things you can do.
Why have a hummingbird garden?
Hummingbirds are highly energetic and need to consume a lot of calories in the form of nectar each day just to survive. An adult hummingbird may visit 1,000 or more flowers per day. Because of this, they are strongly attracted to gardens that provide a large number and variety of nectar-producing flowers. A garden designed to provide their favorite flowers will bring in more hummingbirds than one with only a few scattered blossoms.
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds eat small insects which are also attracted to many flowering plants. A hummingbird garden full of blooms provides excellent insect habitat. With both plentiful nectar and insects, your yard will become a preferred feeding ground for local and migrating hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds are territorial and often chase each other away from prime feeding areas. By planting a garden with many nectar sources located a short distance apart, you can provide several good feeding territories to reduce squabbles. More flowers means more happy hummers in your yard!
Best flowers for hummingbirds
When planning a hummingbird garden, choose a variety of flowers specifically suited to these small birds’ needs. Here are some top choices:
- Trumpet creeper – A flowering vine that attracts hummers with its tubular red blooms. It blooms over a long period from spring to fall.
- Bee balm – A perennial with shaggy heads of bright red flowers from mid to late summer. Hummingbirds love them.
- Cardinal flower – A classic hummingbird flower, this summertime bloomer has bright red tubular flowers arranged on tall spikes.
- Salvia – These long-blooming perennials have tubular flowers in colors like red, pink, purple, and orange that attract hummingbirds.
- Fuchsia – Both hanging and upright varieties of this shade-lover produce dainty flowers in red and pink from spring to frost.
- Columbine – Native columbines have elegant, nectar-filled blooms in red, yellow, and pink that hummers enjoy.
- Petunia – A popular annual, petunias bloom heavily over a long season in colors that lure hummingbirds to feed.
- Geranium – These cheerful annuals and perennials bloom in many colors, including red and pink varieties that appeal to hummers.
For best results, choose a variety of flower colors and make sure something is blooming from spring through fall. Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to red, orange, and pink flowers.
When and where to plant
Hummingbirds migrate through many parts of North America each year, arriving in spring and departing in fall. Plant your garden well before they arrive so blossoms are ready when they get there. For example, have flowers ready by March or April if you live in the Southern U.S. or west coast. East coast gardeners should prepare for arrivals starting in April or May.
Choose a garden site that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun daily as most hummingbird-friendly flowers require a lot of sunlight. Beds near forest edges or beside pathways provide natural territory dividers to reduce squabbles.
Providing water
Like all animals, hummingbirds need a dependable water source. Installing a mister, dripler, or small water basin in your garden gives them a place to bathe and drink. Position these near flowers so they can easily find it. Change water daily to keep it clean and fresh.
Including a water feature also increases garden humidity, which helps attract more insects that hummingbirds eat. Place a few perches around the water so they have spots to perch and preen after bathing.
Using native plants
Incorporating native plants into your hummingbird garden is an excellent idea. These species are specially adapted to conditions in your local environment. They typically require far less watering and care than exotic imports once established.
Native plants also support local pollinators like bees and butterflies by providing food and breeding habitat. This helps maintain your local ecosystem. Be sure to choose native species already known to attract hummingbirds in your area.
Providing shelter
Hummingbirds appreciate small trees, shrubs, and vines that create sheltered spots in the garden. These provide protection from wind and rain as they feed and rest. Native species like serviceberry, chokecherry, elderberry, and wild honeysuckle are good choices. Place shelter plants around the perimeter to help define territories too.
Supplemental feeding
It’s easy to double your garden’s appeal by adding feeders that provide supplemental nectar. Use feeders designed to accommodate a hummingbird’s slender bill and preference for nectar that contains approximately 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Place them near flowers, shelters, and water so birds can easily move between areas.
Be diligent about keeping feeders clean to prevent disease. Change nectar every 2-3 days, or daily in hot weather. Rinse feeders thoroughly before refilling. Provide insects by including insect-attracting flowers or using feeders designed to hold ants or fruit flies.
Avoiding problems
To make sure your new garden succeeds, there are a few potential issues to avoid:
- Pesticides – Never use insecticides or other chemicals toxic to pollinators. Practice organic gardening.
- Messy plants – Some nectar-producing plants like salvia can get messy as they fade. Deadhead to keep things tidy.
- Invasive plants – Don’t include invasive exotic plants that could escape your garden and cause ecological damage.
- Stagnant water – Change water frequently in baths, drippers, and feeders to prevent mosquito breeding.
- Overcrowding – Space nectar plants fairly far apart and prune shelter plants to provide ample feeding areas.
Choosing the right plants
Picking the perfect plants to include is key. Here is a table of top annuals, perennials, vines, and shrubs to include in a hummingbird garden:
| Annuals | Perennials | Vines | Shrubs & Trees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bee Balm | Columbine | Trumpet Creeper | Serviceberry |
| Fuchsia | Bleeding Heart | Honeysuckle | Elderberry |
| Petunia | Larkspur | Passionflower | Chokecherry |
| Nasturtium | Sage | Trumpet Honeysuckle | Crabapple |
Conclusion
Creating a garden specifically for hummingbirds takes a bit of planning, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Follow the tips above for choosing the best plants, providing key habitat features, and avoiding potential problems. Plant a variety of nectar-producing annuals, perennials, vines, and shrubs that bloom spring through fall. Include sheltered spots, clean water, and supplemental feeding too.
With a properly designed hummingbird garden, you’ll be rewarded each year with a parade of energetic hummers flocking to feed and breed. The dazzling aerial displays as they compete for prime flowers will quickly make your garden a favorite spot to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.
