Is there anything more enchanting than hummingbirds feeding on flowers? Suspended in midair it seems non-moving as its wings move so fast that we almost can’t see it. No surprise that many homeowners want to attract these adorable creatures to their gardens to watch them from time to time. How to do that? There are two main ways: growing flowers that feed hummingbirds and placing special feeders, let’s take a look at both ideas.
What Flowers Attract Hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are tiny dynamos that need to eat every 10 to 15 minutes and will visit up to 2,000 flowers per day, these are great pollinators. Planting a selection of annuals and perennial flowers, as well as flowering shrubs, will ensure you have nectar to offer. Hummingbirds are primarily attracted to long tubular flowers that are red, but are frequently seen visiting other flowers with bright colors that are orange, yellow, purple, or even blue, giving you plenty to choose from.
The most popular plants for attracting hummingbirds are zinnias, sunflowers, lantanas, cardinals, columbines, azaleas, trumpets, calibrachoas, catmint, sage and delphiniums. You may find a lot of shrubs and blooms that will be also attractive for the hummingbirds and choose what suits your climate zone. Most of these plants will attract other pollinators, too: bees, butterflies and bumblebees. Consider planting blooms that will create a whole season feeding space for the hummers, from early spring to late fall, and add hummingbird feeders.
Lantana is both an annual and a perennial that loves full sun and can be drought-tolerant. It will bring color to your garden and make your hummers happy.
Red Hot Poker loves well-drained soil and its visually appealing flowers attract hummingbirds.
Flowering Tobacco is an annual that shows a whole specter of colors. The flowers are known for their sweet fragrance, and they will attract hummers.
Oregon Grape is a shrub that loves dry soil and partial shade. It will accent the garden with bright color and will feed the birds.
This is a bold and cool bloom that prefers dry climates, full sun and excellent drainage. Rabbits and deer aren't interested in it, while hummers will be happy.
Azalea is a gorgeous showstopper that starts blooming in the spring and loves welll-drained and acid soil. It will not only add color to the garden but will also attract hummingbirds.
Plant Lungwort somewhere where you can see them from the inside because they will be the first blooms to offer nectar to the hummers.
Red Canna Lily is a perennial that prefers full sun and shows off exotic flowers and striking foliage.
Bleeding Heart is a perennial with uniquely shaped flowers, because of which it got its name. It will take a couple of years to get established but it's worth it. It's also non-attractive for deer and rabbits.
These beautiful Butterfly Bush feature purple blooms that are attractive for butterflies and hummingbirds because theya re rich in nectar. Perfect for a pollinator garden.
Calibrachoa is an annual plant available in various colors of the rainbow, it looks bold and appealing and is attractive for hummingbirds that prefer to feed on it when it's cascading from window boxes or hanging planters.
Cardinal is a moisture-loving perennial that prefer full sun to partial shade. It's rabbit and deer-resistant and it looks bold and dramatic. It will attract both hummingbirds and butterflies.
Catmint is a perennial that can tolerate poor soils; it has a spicy mint scent and lovely blooms that are interesting for hummingbirds. Deer-resistance and drought-tolerance as a bonus!.
Cuphea is one of the hummingbirds' favorites, it will add interest to your garden with its bold blooms and as long as you keep it fertilized and watered, it will strike with its gorgeous appearance.
What Is A Hummingbird Feeder?
A hummingbird feeder is a bottle or tube-like piece, often with red plastic flowers and bee guards (little plastic screens that keep insects away from the sugar solution) on the feeding ports. You can DIY some feeders easily if you feel like crafting. Here are some tutorials to try. Now take your piece and fill it with special food created for hummingbirds.
Columbine is a perennial that reseeds itself. It's an early season, mainly spring flower, that will feed hummingbirds. It comes in an array of colors and likes cooler temperatures.
Fuchsia is a gorgeous annual plant with exotic-looking flowers in a wide array of bold colors. Hummingbirds adore this plant, and it's also deer-resistant and quite drought-tolerant.
Hollyhocks are beautiful blooms that prefer full sun and moist soil, they will attract both butterflies and hummingbirds.
Delphinium is a beautiful plant for borders, its intense color blooms attract a lot of hummingbirds as they carry a lot of nectar.
Foxglove is a biennial that loves full fun and moist and also good drainage. It attracts bumblebees and hummingbirds, for which it's a great drinking vessel.
Penstemon is a low-maintenance perennial that prefers full fun and excellent drainage. Hummingbirds love this flower, and you will enjoy its looks, too, with its adorable bright blooms.
Petunias are classics for any garden, and their flowers come in a wide array of colors. They are very appealing for hummingbirds, so don't hesitate to plant them.
Salvia are both annuals and pernnials, they feature a wide range of colors to pick from. This is a good drought-tolerant option loved by both hummingbirds and butterflies.
Sunflowers feature many colors and varieties, they are super easy to grow from seed and attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, which for late-season nectar.
Torenia is an annual that loves full shade. It looks beautiful in window boxes and hanging baskets and will make your hummers happy all summer long.
Trumpet Vine is a beautiful perennial vine that is to grow on a good and sturdy trellis. It will attract both butterflies and hummingbirds.
Zinnia is an annual that comes in a variety of colors. It attracts all kinds of pollinators and can be cut for your flower arrangements indoors.
This blush glass feeder contains little flowers to imitate real ones and help birds to feed.
These funny boho painted feeders with flowers on top can be placed in any plants and blooms to feed the hummers.
This pretty bowl feeder lets the hummers sit down and not waste the energy for using wings while feeding.
These colorful blown glass feeders will give interest to your garden and will feed the birds well.
How To Make Hummingbird Food?
The only sugar you should dissolve in water to make hummingbird nectar is refined white sugar. The additional ingredients in unrefined sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, confectioner’s sugar, molasses, and other sweeteners may be harmful to hummingbirds or cause the nectar to spoil more quickly.
Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water) until the sugar is dissolved. Fill your hummingbird feeders with the sugar water and place outside. Extra sugar water can be stored in a refrigerator. Fill the feeders when necessary and make the hummers happier not only with blooms but also with feeders that can make your birds happy even if there are no blooms at the moment. Get inspired to attract more ы to your garden!
A large burgundy crystal with some handles for the birds to sit is a great idea for feeding hummers.
Colorful glass feeders with flowers on top let the hummingbirds drink nectar.
A colorful modern bird feeder in blue and neon green is a stylish and ultra-modern solution for a garden.
A colorful bird feeder in blue and red, with printed cover is a bold and catchy idea, hang it on a tree in the garden.
Bright red hummingbird feeders with rings are comfortable to hang them anywhere you want.
A bold hot air balloon feeder is a creative and fun decoration for your garden and a bird feeder at the same time.
A modern plastic hummer feeder allows several birds to feed on it at once.
A vintage orange feeder of glass lets several birds to feed on it at once.
A vintage hummer feeder in red is a bold and cool decoration for the garden and feeder at the same time.
Hang this red bottle feeder anywhere you want to add color and attract little birdies there.
A red vase feeder is a cool decoration for the garden and a feeder at once.
A beautiful and bold humming bird feeder is a perfect idea for the garden as these birds prefer red color.
A neutral bird feeder with a vintage patterned bottle is a lovely idea for a garden, it looks quite neutral.
A round glass bird feeder can be hung anywhere, it looks pretty and cool.
A three-tier bird feeder with rings that allow hanging on each other and create as many tiers as you want.
A red vase with a flower on top and a floral roof is a creative arrangement to feed the birds.