How to Lure Hummingbirds and Butterflies to a Garden

The presence of hummingbirds and butterflies can add beauty and charm to your garden. Getting these creatures to visit is simply a matter of choosing the right plants and adding a few items to your garden.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hummingbird feeder
• Plants

1. Plant nectar-bearing flowers like lilacs, cosmos or ornamental thistle. The nectar attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

2. Purchase and hang a hummingbird feeder. The NJ Audubon Society recommends the Hummzinger (see Resources) because they are easy to clean and have no hidden parts where mold can grow. Instructions for preparing the solution to put into the feeder are on the inside of the Hummzinger so you won't forget. No matter what type of hummingbird feeder you buy, make sure it has no yellow parts, because yellow attracts bees and wasps.

3. Plant or place something red in your garden to attract hummingbirds. Roses are not nectar-bearing plants, but they are a good choice because their color will attract these beautiful birds. Most hummingbird feeders have some red in them.

4. Prepare a solution of one part sugar and four parts water and put it in the hummingbird feeder. Do not use the red dye that you'll find in some hummingbird feeder sets. This was once a popular item because of its color, but it can cause beak cancer.

5. Clean the hummingbird feeder at least once a week with hot soapy water. Replace the solution, because it can turn to alcohol and harm the birds if it sits too long.

6. Use insecticides sparingly if at all. These chemicals can kill butterflies if they land on a saturated plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use honey solutions in a hummingbird feeder because they can cause fungal disease in hummingbirds. Making the sugar solution too strong can make it difficult for birds to digest and can lead to liver failure.

Resources

• Purchase a hummingbird feeder at the Hummzinger site.