Hummingbird Gardens

A garden must supply three things if it is to attract Hummingbirds, a steady and reliable source of food, water for drinking, and bathing, and shelter for nesting, resting, and avoiding enemies.

FOOD SOURCES

Hummingbirds feed on nectar and insects. To provide ample amounts of both a flower garden is a must. Choose plants that bloom at various times to provide nectar all summer. A hummingbird feeder will also help to encourage the birds to visit.. Hang your feeder in an area that is mostly shaded if possible, because the hot sun can spoil the nectar. In the begining, if you do not have hummingbirds to start with, it may help to put only a few ounces in the feeder at a time until the hummingbirds require more. If the nectar isn't used within two to three days it should be changed. Also clean the feeder each time before refilling. Dirty feeders and spoiled nectar may lead to the death of a hummingbird.

NECTAR PLANTS:

This list contains common Hummingbird plants:
Ajuga, Black Locust, Black-eyed-Susan-Vine, Bouganvilla, Butterfly weed, Butterfly bush, Calibrachoa (Million bells), Campanulas, Cardinal Climber, Centranthus, Columbine, Coral Bells (Heuchera), Daylilies, Delphinium, Lavenders, Four o'clocks, Gaillardia, Gladiolia, Foxglove, Fuchsias, Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Hosta, Impatiens, Joe-Pye-Weed, Lantana, Liatris, Lilac, Mandevilla, Milkweeds, Monarda (bee balm), Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Pentas, Nicotiana, Penstemon, Petunias, Phlox, Platycoden (Balloon flower), Russian Sage, Sages and Salvias (All), Snapdragons, Swamp Milkweed, Tulip Poplar, Trumpet Lilies, Trumpet Vine, Vinca, Verbenas (all),Weiglea, Zinnias

WATER

Birds need to bathe and drink frequently. If a suitable and reliable source is placed in your garden it will be a haven for many types of birds. Birds are vulnerable while they are bathing so choose a quiet area out in the open away from obsuring vegetation. Make sure the water shallow enough for bathing and kept clean. If your water supply is a bird bath, cleaning and refilling daily is ideal.

SHELTER

There should be areas of trees or shrubs nearby, a short distance from feeders where birds can perch and wait for their chance to feed. This will also supply a place for birds to take cover if they are being pursued. Hummingbirds are very terrritorial and arguements over feeders often arise.