How to Design Hummingbird Bed Plants

Attract hummingbirds with a specially planted garden bed.

Hummingbird feeders are one way to attract hummingbirds, and a hummingbird garden bed is a beautiful way to bring these vivacious creatures into your yard. Hummingbirds are attracted to certain flowers more than others. Learn what plants to grow, how to space them and how to care for them, to get many years of enjoyment from your hummingbird garden.

Things You'll Need

• Hummingbird-friendly plants
• Pots
• Garden hose
• Measuring tape
• Shovel

Instructions

1. Determine the space for your garden bed. Mark out the general area by placing upside-down pots or rocks at the corners or marking out the boundaries with a hoe. This will give a general idea of the amount of space you have to work with, so you can guage the number of plants the bed can hold.

2. Purchase hummingbird-friendly plants that are appropriate for your climate zone. Many plants that attract butterflies are also attractive to hummingbirds. Some common choices include butterfly bush, Texas sage, honeysuckle, hummingbird mint, bee balm, hollyhock, azalea, lilac and columbine. Hummingbirds like brightly colored flowers. Your local garden center can help you choose a mix of perennials and annuals. Some plants will specify that they attract hummingbirds on their labels. Look for this designation.

3. Set the plants out in their pots on top of the marked garden bed. This gives you an opportunity to preview the design, move plants as needed and space the plants correctly according to the plant labels. Give the plants room to grow. The labels will tell you how big they will get over time. Use a measuring tape if needed. For a curved bed, lay out a garden hose as a guide and set the plants along the line of the hose.

4. Place annuals within easy reach. Annuals generally last one season and will need to be replaced. Set them where you can easily replace them next year. One design option is to set perennials and shrubs towards the back of the bed, with an area of colorful perennials at the front.

5. Dig holes for each plant and place the plants in the ground according the directions on the labels. Water well after planting and maintain a regular watering schedule in order to enjoy a successful hummingbird plant bed.

Tips & Warnings

• A hummingbird garden can be used in conjunction with hummingbird feeders to attract even more birds. Be sure to keep the feeders filled.

• Choose plants that bloom at different times. This will help attract hummingbirds over a longer period of time.

References

• New Jersey Audobon: How to Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden
• Hummingbirds: Attracting Hummingbirds
• University of Illinois Extension: Perennial Placement