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Attracting Hummingbirds
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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.
Agastache foeniculum (Hummingbird mint)
Aquilegia canadensis (Columbine)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
Chelone spp. (Turtlehead)
Delphinium spp. (Larkspur)
Helianthus spp. (Sunflowers)
Heuchera spp. (Coral Bells)
Hibiscus moscheutos (Rose Mallow)
Hosta spp. (Hosta)
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Monarda spp. (Bee Balm)
Nepeta spp. (Catmint)
Penstemon spp. (Beardtongue)
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)
Salvia spp. (Sage)
Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower)
Campsis spp. (Trumpetvine)
Lablab purpureus (Hyacinth Bean)
Lonicera sempervirens (Honeysuckle)
Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium)
Aesculus pavia (Red Buckeye)
Abelia spp. (Abelia)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet)
Rhododendron maximum (Rosebay Rhododendron)
Weigela florida (Weigela)
Once a hummingbird finds your garden it will return as long as the nectar supply lasts. Since 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 regularly.
Sources: Compiled from experience and Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies (ed. James D. Blume). For more information visit us on the web at www.behmerwald.comwww.behmerwald.com