Everyone knows that hummingbirds love red flowers but do you know why? Because although tiny, a hummingbird's brain is quite knowledgeable about where to find the most nectar. Red flowers tend to have more nectar than other colors. Does that mean a hummingbird garden should be completely red? No, hummingbirds also feed at pink, orange, purple, yellow, and even white flowers. The real attraction for hummingbirds is shape. Think "Tubular" and you'll be thinking like a hummingbird.So what does a garden need to be successful at attracting hummingbirds?
- Flowers: You can choose combinations of annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs, vines and even some flowering vegetables to attract hummingbirds. Remember that they prefer "hot" colors and to overlap the bloom times so the garden never runs out of nectar. Although, not every flower has to be red, a patch of red flowers will act as a "Come and Get Me" sign. Also, regional wildflowers provide more nectar per bloom than other flower varieties so if at all possible "Go Wild!"
- Sun & Shade: Hummingbirds prefer to spend about half their time in the sun, 1/4 of their time in partial shade, and the remainder of their time in full shade.
- Shrubs & Trees: Essential in providing both partial and full shade they also provide locations for perching, shelter, and roosting.
- Flight room. While most birds perch to feed, hummingbirds don't always have that luxury. They need room between flowers to fly and hover. A tiered flower bed works best for hummingbirds.
- Water. Hummingbirds love to bathe (actually to shower). And are very resourceful at finding water for bathing in. They prefer moving water such as beads of water left on leaves after a rainfall or the fine spray of a waterfall. To set up a hummingbird shower in your hummingbird garden use a nozzle that gives us a continuous fine mist.
Favorites for Hummingbirds
- bearded iris
- bee balm
- bellflower
- buttercup
- butterfly weed
- carnation
- catmint
- columbine
- coralbells
- daylily
- evening primrose
- fireweed
- foxglove
- impatiens
- hummingbird's trumpet
- hollyhock
- larkspur
- loosestrife
- poppy
- sweet william
With that in mind I thought it was high time to address birds in the garden because any garden can be a sanctuary for birds. All your yard needs to do is supply is some very basic bird needs: adequate cover, food, and protection from enemies. And chances are you have most of these basic needs already covered. For the biggest variety of birds try dedicating 10% of your plantings to insure the safety and well being of your bird population.