If there are hummingbirds in your area, it’s easy to create a garden that will
attract these pretty creatures. To build a habitat in which they will happily
nest, you just need to provide them with the components they need: flowers,
water, and safe nesting space.
Flowers are the key to attracting hummingbirds to your garden. An active
hummingbird garden doesn’t need to be large, but it will have nectar-producing
flowering plants that bloom at different times throughout the spring, summer and
autumn. The tiny birds feed on nectar that is produced by flowers, particularly
those with trumpet or tubular bright red and orange flowers. Among their other
favorites are rhododendrons, azaleas and rose of Sharon bushes.
For northern gardens that attract the ruby-throated hummingbird, make sure that
you choose plants that flower at different times during the blooming season to
provide food for them throughout the spring, summer and fall. Hummingbird lures
successful in northern climates include:
Spring Bloomers
Azaleas, rhododendrons and roses of Sharon make a great background for
hummingbird gardens. They bloom early in the spring and continue blooming
through the early summer. Pink and bright red varieties are favored, but
hummingbirds love all rose of Sharon varieties.
Summer Bloomers
Bleeding hearts and red mountain columbine bloom in the early summer, as do
petunias, morning glories, trumpet vines, trumpet honeysuckle, and impatiens. An
expanse of shade-dappled impatiens is a powerful attraction for hummingbirds,
who find their feeding grounds by sight.
Autumn Bloomers
Butterfly bush, day lilies, garden phlox, bee-balm and impatiens all will keep
hummingbirds returning through the autumn and attract late migrators.
Hummingbirds also need tall spaces to perch and nest in your garden. By choosing
a few taller bushes or trees, you can provide both. These provide shelter from
predators and small branches for perching and resting.
Water is important to hummingbirds, but unlike larger birds, they will seldom
take advantage of a bird bath or bowl of water. Instead, they relish cool mists.
A garden hose with a misting attachment or a small fountain that can be adjusted
to a fine mist will make them happy.
A few strategically placed hummingbird feeders can enhance your view of the
hummingbirds as they hover and feed in your garden. There are dozens of
commercial feeders designed to be attractive to the little wanderers. Choose
feeders with bright red accents, and a capacity for about 8 ounces of sugar
water. Rather than using one large feeder, place 2-4 of them around your
garden, out of sight of each other if possible. Hummingbirds are notoriously
territorial. By providing several private feeding stations, you'll increase
the number of hummingbirds that you attract
Ed Rooney is the creator of
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learn, share, plan, and shop for their gardens. Articles, forums, blog, plant
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