How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
Hummingbirds are one of nature’s most fascinating creatures. Their tiny size, rapid flight, and beautiful colors make them a joy to observe. Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is not as difficult as you might think. By providing the right food, shelter, and flowers, you can create a haven for these delightful visitors. One of the most effective ways to draw hummingbirds to your garden is by planting the right flowering plants. In this post, we’ll explore a range of plants that bloom throughout the year to ensure a continuous supply of nectar for the hummingbirds.
1. Provide the Right Food
Feeders Are Key
Hummingbirds are primarily attracted to nectar. The simplest way to bring them into your yard is by offering nectar-filled feeders.
Choose a feeder that is brightly colored, preferably red, as hummingbirds are naturally drawn to these colors. Place it in a shaded area to keep the nectar from spoiling too quickly.
Here is my favorite hummingbird feeder. The Hummzinger Ultra hummingbird feeder with ant moat and bee guard tips.
*This feeder has a built-in ant moat that holds water around the base of the hanger so ant can’t get at the nectar.
*It has patented “Nectar Guard Tips” to keep out bees and wasps. The Nectar Guard Tips are plastic flexible membranes that fit into the feeding ports from the underside of the lid. They allow the hummingbird to stick its beak through the port and when the beak is withdrawn the tips close the hole so bees and wasps can’t get in.
*The Hummzinger Ultra is red. It has red, raised rain guards in the shape of flowers around the feeding ports to keep out rain water.
*It’s a basin type feeder that doesn’t leak and it’s easy to take apart and clean.
Homemade Nectar Recipe
You don’t need to buy expensive nectar. You can make your own easily by mixing 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Fill the feeder with this mixture, and make sure to clean the feeder every 3 to 4 days, especially in hot weather, to prevent mold growth.
A clean feeder is essential to the health of the birds. Mold and bacteria can quickly build up, causing harm to the hummingbirds. Clean the feeder thoroughly with warm, soapy water every few days to keep it safe.
Here is more thorough information on how to clean a hummingbird feeder.
To view more information about hummingbird feeding click on what do hummingbirds eat.
2. Plant Hummingbird-Friendly Flowers
While feeders are a great start, planting nectar-rich flowers ensures a natural food source for the birds. Hummingbirds are especially attracted to flowers with bright colors like red, pink, orange, and purple, and those with tubular shapes. Let’s explore four categories of flowering plants that hummingbirds love:
1. Perennials
Perennials are plants that come back year after year, making them a great long-term investment for your garden. Many perennials are perfect for attracting hummingbirds.
Examples of Hummingbird-Friendly Perennials:
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): Known for its vibrant red and pink flowers, bee balm is a favorite of hummingbirds.
- Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): The bell-shaped flowers are available in colors ranging from red to yellow and are a top choice for hummingbirds.
- Penstemon (Penstemon spp.): These tall, tubular flowers come in shades of red, pink, and purple, making them irresistible to hummingbirds.
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): This beautiful perennial offers a steady source of nectar and is a wonderful addition to any garden.
2. Annuals
Annuals complete their life cycle in a single growing season, so they offer instant color and a nectar source for hummingbirds. They need to be replanted every year but provide a lot of blooms in a short period.
Examples of Hummingbird-Friendly Annuals:
- Salvia (Salvia spp.): Annual salvias, with their tubular red, pink, or purple flowers, are a hummingbird favorite.
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.): These drooping, tubular flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and come in a variety of bright colors.
- Zinnia (Zinnia spp.): Zinnias bloom in vibrant colors and are loved by hummingbirds for their rich nectar.
3. Vines
Vines can quickly cover fences, trellises, and arbors, creating a lush environment for hummingbirds. Many vines offer long-lasting blooms and can provide both shelter and nectar.
Examples of Hummingbird-Friendly Vines:
- Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans): With its large, trumpet-shaped flowers in orange or red, this vine is an excellent attractor for hummingbirds.
- Clematis (Clematis spp.): Clematis vines produce beautiful, colorful blooms that are very appealing to hummingbirds.
- Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.): The trumpet-like flowers in shades of purple, blue, or pink are favorites for hummingbirds.
4. Shrubs
Shrubs can provide both nectar and shelter for hummingbirds. They often bloom for extended periods and create a perfect habitat for these little birds.
Examples of Hummingbird-Friendly Shrubs:
- Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria): This shrub has striking, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds with their rich nectar.
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii): Known for its long-lasting blooms in purple, red, and white, the butterfly bush is a hummingbird magnet.
- Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea): This shrub has fragrant purple flowers and attracts hummingbirds all season long.
3. Flowering Plants for Every Season
To ensure that hummingbirds have access to food throughout their stay, it’s essential to choose flowering plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall. Below, we’ll explore some of the best flowering plants for each season.
Spring Blooms
Spring is when hummingbirds return from migration, so it’s important to have plants in bloom to attract them right away. Look for early-blooming flowers that provide a rich source of nectar.
These plants are great for attracting hummingbirds and can help you create a beautiful, colorful garden full of nectar during the spring. You can choose plants based on your area’s climate and your garden’s needs, whether you want annuals for seasonal beauty or perennials, shrubs, and vines that offer long-lasting appeal.
This list provides plants in each category: Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, and Vines, all known for attracting hummingbirds with their spring blooms.
| Annuals | Perennials | Shrubs | Vines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuchsia | Columbine | Red Hot Poker | Trumpet Vine |
| Salvia | Coral Bells | Flowering Quince | Honeysuckle |
| Impatiens | Trumpet Creeper | Azalea | Clematis |
| Begonias | Penstemon | Hummingbird Sage | Passionflower |
| Petunia | Lobelia | Weigela | Morning Glory |
| Snapdragon | Astilbe | California Fuchsia | Crossvine |
| Lobelia | Wild Ginger | Wisteria | |
| Nicotiana | Coreopsis | Trumpet Honeysuckle | |
| Alyssum | Hummingbird Sage | Dutchman’s Pipe | |
| Celosia | Japanese Iris | Virginia Creeper | |
| Marigold | Baptisia | Hardy Kiwi Vine | |
| Sweet Potato Vine | Echinacea | Morning Glory | |
| Salpiglossis | Monarda | Clematis ‘Niobe’ | |
| Portulaca | Phlox | Hardy Kiwi Vine | |
| Cosmos | Bee Balm | Chilean Jasmine | |
| Torenia | Black-eyed Susan | Yellow Trumpetvine | |
| Shasta Daisy | Snowberry |
Summer-Blooming Plants:
By summer, hummingbirds are in full swing, visiting gardens throughout the day. This is when many plants are at their peak, so you’ll want to have a variety of flowers blooming.
This list provides 20 different plants in each category: Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, and Vines, all known for attracting hummingbirds with their summer blooms
| Annuals | Perennials | Shrubs | Vines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Salvia | Trumpet Vine | Red-twig Dogwood | Clematis |
| Zinnia | Columbine | Winter Honeysuckle | Morning Glory |
| Fuchsia | Astilbe | Spicebush | Wisteria |
| Bee Balm | Coral Honeysuckle | Azalea | Passionflower |
| Petunia | Hosta | Summersweet | Trumpet Creeper |
| Impatiens | Penstemon | Beautyberry | Kiwi Vine |
| Coral Bells | Butterfly Bush | Bayberry | Dutchman’s Pipe |
| Lobelia | Lupine | Purple Sandcherry | Honeysuckle |
| Marigold | Salvia | Forsythia | Clematis |
| Impatiens | Echinacea | Potentilla | Sweet Potato Vine |
| Calendula | Black-eyed Susan | Viburnum | Crossvine |
| Cosmos | Coneflower | Mock Orange | Climbing Hydrangea |
| Verbena | Gaillardia | Bluebeard | Clematis |
| Geranium | Monarda | Mountain Laurel | Sweet Pea |
| Nicotiana | Daylilies | Privet | Morning Glory |
| Snapdragons | Phlox | Lilac | Clematis |
| Alyssum | Yucca | Rose of Sharon | Chilean Jasmine |
| Sunflower | Catmint | Weigela | Trumpet Vine |
| Celosia | Geranium | Spirea | Purple Bougainvillea |
| Scavola | Beebalm | Chokecherry | Climbing Rose |
Fall-Blooming Plants
In the fall, hummingbirds prepare for their migration south. It’s important to offer flowers that bloom later in the season. These plants help provide the fuel they need for their journey. These plants, blooming in the fall, are particularly attractive to hummingbirds as they seek nectar sources before migrating.
| Annuals | Perennials | Shrubs | Vines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuchsia | Coral Bells | Red-twig Dogwood | Trumpet Vine |
| Begonia | Bee Balm | Butterfly Bush | Hops |
| Impatiens | Autumn Joy Sedum | Spicebush | Clematis |
| Zinnia | Japanese Anemone | Chokecherry | Morning Glory |
| Salvia (Splendens) | Hardy Fuchsia | Winterberry | Carolina Jessamine |
| Petunia | Turtlehead | Beautyberry | Passionflower |
| Impatiens (New Guinea) | Crocosmia | Purple Smokebush | Wisteria |
| Calibrachoa | Anise Hyssop | Summertime Sweetshrub | Sweet Potato Vine |
| Lantana | Goldenrod | Mountain Laurel | Clematis (Fall-blooming) |
| Marigold | Coneflower (Echinacea) | Red Chokecherry | Grape Vine |
| Verbena | Monkshood | Snowberry | Morning Glory |
| Coleus | Aster | Common Witchhazel | Dutchman’s Pipe |
| Lobelia | Japanese Knautia | Viburnum | Sweet Pea |
| Celosia | Wild Ginger | Summersweet | Akebia |
| Geranium | Lamb’s Ear | Blueberry | Clematis (Jackmanii) |
| Nasturtium | Acanthus | Blackhaw Viburnum | Scarlet Runner Bean |
| Nicotiana | Phlox | Red-twig Dogwood | Cucumber Vine |
| Balsam | Anemone (Autumn) | Pineapple Guava | Climbing Hydrangea |
| Sweet Alyssum | Trillium | Azalea | Bougainvillea |
| Snapdragons | Heliopsis | Witch Hazel | Kiwi Vine |
4. Offer Water and Shelter
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds need water and safe spaces to rest. By providing a birdbath or misting system, you can ensure they have everything they need.
Water Sources
Hummingbirds enjoy fresh water to drink and bathe. A shallow birdbath with a fine spray from a mister is ideal. Just make sure the water is changed regularly to keep it clean.
Here’s a solar powered bird bath.
Hummingbird misters at Amazon.com
Shelter and Safe Spaces
Hummingbirds need safe places to rest between feedings. Planting small trees, shrubs, and vines can provide these resting spots. Avoid predators like cats, which can scare or harm the birds.
5. Be Patient and Consistent
Attracting hummingbirds takes time. It may take a few weeks for them to discover your garden, but once they do, they’ll return frequently. Be patient and consistent, providing nectar, water, and shelter throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is a rewarding experience. By planting the right flowers for each season—spring, summer, and fall—you’ll ensure a continuous source of nectar for these stunning little birds. With a variety of perennials, annuals, vines, and shrubs, your garden will be a welcoming haven for hummingbirds all year round. Happy bird watching!
How to ease hummingbird aggression video
How long does it take to attract hummingbirds?
Assuming that there are already hummingbirds in your area, to answer the question, how long does it take to attract hummingbirds? ….. I would say about 5 minutes.
The very first time I tried to attract hummingbirds, I went to the garden center and bought 2 pots of honey suckle vines that were about 3 feet tall and had some blooms on them. I had read that they would attract hummingbirds.
I took them out of the car and set them in the backyard and went into the house. I came out 5 minutes later and to my surprise there was already a hummingbird feeding on them. Yes they do attract hummingbirds!
That was the first one I had seen in the area. So, according to my own experience, how long does it take to attract hummingbirds? …I would say about 5 minutes. If I had walked a litter faster I might have found that you could attract hummingbirds in 4 minutes or less.
Here is an excerpt on attracting hummingbirds from the “How To Hand-Feed Hummingbirds” video available elsewhere on this site Hand-Feeding Hummingbirds how-to video
How to plant a pot of mixed annuals to attract hummingbirds – video
video: info about attracting hummingbirds, flowers for attracting hummingbirds, tips on hummingbird feeders, making hummingbird nectar, hanging feeders and keeping ants away from your hummingbird feeder.
Video: Plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies
video: What Kind Of Flowers Attract Hummingbirds
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