How to Design a Hummingbird Garden

Getting a Drink from a Flame Vine

Many North American hummingbirds migrate to Central and South America in late summer and early fall and return in the spring. These tiny birds follow the blooming time of flowers as they progress northward, arriving in each area when food is plentiful. Creating a hummingbird garden provides an abundance of food for hummingbirds as they return to your area each spring and guarantees that these lively birds will remain in your area throughout the summer.

Things You'll Need

• Red flowers Trumpet shaped flowers Water feature (optional) Hummingbird feeder

Instructions

1. Choose trumpet-shaped blooms to attract hummingbirds. Their delicate bill is long and slender and fits easily into deep flowers that nectar-loving insects, like butterflies, may avoid. Characteristic blooms are trumpet vine, petunias, nicotiana, honeysuckle and columbine. These flowers contain large reservoirs of nectar to feed hungry birds.

2. Select several red flowers to attract hummingbirds early in the season. Red is known to attract these birds and to entice them to your garden. Consider purchasing annuals that are already in bloom for quick color in the garden while other slower growing plants mature. Once hummingbirds become accustomed to your garden, red blooms are no longer necessary, although they may attract attention from birds that are just flying through your area.

3. Provide a source of fresh water. A small fountain, birdbath or simply a saucer of water will attract hummingbirds to the area and provide them with fresh water for drinking or bathing. Water features make an interesting focal point for any flower garden and serve double duty when it comes to a hummingbird garden.

4. Include shrubs or bushes in the garden, or plant the garden near small trees, to provide shelter for hummingbirds. Although hummingbirds return to feeding stations often, they actually spend the majority of their time resting on small branches. Bushes and shrubs provide shelter from the weather as well as protection from predators.

5. Hang hummingbird feeders to supplement the nectar from plants and flowers. Available in a wide variety of styles and sizes, there is a hummingbird feeder suitable for any garden. These inexpensive feeders attract hummingbirds readily and will keep hummingbirds returning to your garden during periods when blooming ceases.

6. Clean the feeders regularly to control black mold. This grows easily in warm, humid weather and may be seen around feeder ports or along the inside of feeders. Wash with hot soapy water and fill with fresh nectar. Clean any water features on a regular basis and supply fresh water at all times. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued blooming on flowering plants. A well cared for garden attracts and encourages hummingbirds to visit your garden throughout the summer.

Resources

• Hummingbird Garden Kit (Burpee's Seed)
• Free Hummingbird Garden Plan
• Hummingbird Garden Plants