Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds to your Garden

Here are some tips for attracting hummingbirds to your garden:

• Plant hummingbird-friendly flowers. Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored flowers, especially those with red, orange, or pink petals. Some good choices include:
  • Salvia
  • Fuchsia
  • Honeysuckle
  • Lantana
  • Cardinal flower
  • Trumpet vine
  • Jewelweed
  • Penstemon
  • Bee balm
• Provide a water source. Hummingbirds need water to drink and bathe. A shallow birdbath or fountain is a great way to attract them to your garden.
• Place feeders in your yard. Hummingbirds will also visit feeders filled with a mixture of one part sugar to four parts water. Be sure to change the nectar every few days to prevent it from fermenting.
• Create a safe habitat. Hummingbirds are small and delicate birds, so they need a safe place to rest and build their nests. You can provide them with a safe haven by planting shrubs and trees that offer plenty of cover.
• Be patient. It may take some time for hummingbirds to find your garden. But if you provide the right habitat and food sources, they will eventually be drawn to your yard.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Hummingbirds prefer flowers that are located in open areas, so avoid planting them in dense shade.
• Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers that have a long bloom time, so plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year.
• Hummingbirds are also attracted to flowers that are tubular in shape, so choose flowers with narrow petals that are easy for them to reach the nectar.
• If you live in a cold climate, you can bring hummingbirds indoors during the winter by setting up a hummingbird feeder in a sunny window.

With a little planning and effort, you can attract hummingbirds to your garden and enjoy their beauty all year long.thumb_upthumb_downuploadGoogle itmore_vert

Plant native plants. Hummingbirds are attracted to native plants because they are adapted to their local environment and provide the best food and shelter. When choosing plants, look for those with tubular flowers that are red, orange, or pink. Some good choices include:
Coral honeysuckle
Cardinal flower
Trumpet vine
Jewelweed
Scarlet sage
Bee balm
Penstemon
Butterfly bush
Lantana
Provide a water source. Hummingbirds need water to drink and bathe. A shallow birdbath or fountain is a great way to attract them to your yard.
Install a hummingbird feeder. If you don’t have any native plants that hummingbirds like, or if you live in an area where the hummingbird season is short, you can attract them with a hummingbird feeder. Be sure to use a nectar solution that is made specifically for hummingbirds, and change the nectar every few days.
Create a safe habitat. Hummingbirds are small and delicate birds, so they are vulnerable to predators. To create a safe habitat for them, plant shrubs and trees around your yard to provide them with places to hide. You can also put up a hummingbird house, which is a small, artificial nest box that hummingbirds can use to raise their young.
Be patient. It may take some time for hummingbirds to find your garden, but if you provide them with the right food, water, and habitat, they will eventually come.
Here are some additional tips:

Plant your flowers in clusters. This will make them more visible to hummingbirds.
Place your feeders in open areas where hummingbirds can see them.
Keep your feeders clean. This will help to prevent the spread of diseases.
Don’t use pesticides or herbicides in your garden. These chemicals can harm hummingbirds.
Enjoy watching these beautiful birds!