Attracting Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are a welcome sight in the garden.  Their brightly colored feathers have earned them the title "flying jewels."  Here is some information on bringing them to your garden:

Plant Selection

Hummingbirds are drawn to bright red, orange, and pink flowers.  They associate these colors with nectar so strongly that a red piece of plastic will be enough to get their attention.

Annuals

Begonia spp.    Begonia

Cleome spp.   Spider Flower

Impatiens spp.   Impatiens

Nicotiana spp.    Flowering Tobacco

Pelargonium spp.  Geranium

Petunia spp.    Petunia

Salvia coccinea     Scarlet Sage

Zinnia spp.     Zinnia

Perennials

Aquilegia canadensis     Columbine

Asclepias tuberosa     Butterfly Weed

Delphinium spp.     Larkspur

Dianthus spp.    Pinks

Hemerocallis spp.     Daylilies

Heuchera spp.       Coral Bells

Hibiscus moscheutos      Rose Mallow

Kniphofia spp.      Poker Plant

Lilium spp.      Hardy Lilies

Lobelia cardinalis     Cardinal Flower

Lychnis chalcedonica      Maltese Cross

Lychnis coronaria      Rose Campion

Monarda didyma      Bee Balm

Nepeta spp.     Catmint

Phlox paniculata       Garden Phlox

Salvia spp.      Sage

Saponaria ocymoides     Rock Soapwort

Verbena canadensis   Creeping Vervain

Vines

Campsis spp.      Trumpetvine

Lablab purpureus     Hyacinth Bean

Lonicera sempervirens     Honeysuckle

Tropaeolum majus     Nasturtium

Trees and Shrubs

Aesculus pavia      Red Buckeye

Abelia spp.     Abelia

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi      Bearberry

Buddleia davidii     Butterfly Bush

Camellia spp.     Camellia

Hibiscus syriacus      Rose of Sharon

Rhododendron max.    Rosebay Rhododendron

Weigela florida    Weigela

Feeders

Once a hummingbird finds your garden it will return as long as the nectar supply lasts.  Since most flowers have a limited period of nectar production, a hummingbird feeder ensures that a constant supply is available.  A simple nectar substitute can be made by boiling a 4:1 water to sugar ratio for two minutes.  Avoid using honey because it spoils quickly and can spread bacteria that are fatal to hummingbirds.  Feeders should be cleaned weekly.

Sources