Plants and Garden Practices That Attract Hummingbirds
They love to take a shower!
There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds, all of which live in the western hemisphere, and 16 of which live in or visit the United States and Canada. The majority of species live in the tropics, but some can be seen as far north as Alaska and as far south as Cape Horn, in all kinds of habitats.
No matter where they live, hummingbirds require copious amounts of nectar from flowers each day. They move their wings in a different way than other birds, and it's not very efficient. That means they quickly burn off the calories they ingest. On a given day, a hummingbird must eat about 50 percent of its weight in sugar. They also eat insects for protein.
While looking for hummingbirds visiting your garden, keep in mind that they will not visit feeders or flowers as often while they are nesting, because they are busy feeding insects to their babies. You'll see more of them at your flowers once nesting season (usually spring to early summer) ends and while they migrate in the fall.
The first way to attract hummingbirds to your garden is to provide them with nectar they can easily drink. This may be in a hummingbird feeder or, better yet, in the form of hummingbird-friendly flowers. Appropriate flowers will have a distinctive shape and color and will bloom when hummingbirds need them. For advice in setting up a hummingbird feeder to supplement the flowers in your garden, see this page by the Hummingbird Society.
Flower Colors That Attract Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds will drink from any color flower once they learn that they are a source of nectar, but they do seem to prefer red or orange blooms. This could be because they see red tones well and their major competitors for nectar—insects—do not. Therefore red flowers are more likely to be full of nectar when a bird visits it. Red may also show up against a green background better than other colors, drawing migrating birds to it like a magnet.
Flower Shapes That Attract Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds find it easiest to sip nectar from flowers with a long tubular form that points outward rather than hanging straight down. They can hover in front of such a flower and insert their long beak and tongue to reach the nectar. They also prefer larger flowers because these can hold more nectar, allowing the bird to fill itself in fewer visits.
Considering these points, here's a list of common hummingbird plants. Keep in mind the plants will need to be suited to your garden's conditions. You should also check that they aren't invasive in your area. Plants native to your area may be most successful in attracting the hummingbirds in your region, since they'll be more familiar than exotic species. Hummers are fast learners, though, and will happily revisit a "new" flower once they try it.
Perennials and climbers for colder regions (USDA Zone 6 and colder)
Beebalm (Monarda); Read about compact Red Velvet beebalm
Salvia, sage (Salvia); Read more about salvia and hummingbirds
Agastache
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Beardstongue (Penstemon)
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moescheutos); All about hardy hibiscus
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Morning glories (Ipomoea)
Columbines (Aquilegia)
Perennials and climbers for warmer regions (Zone 7 and warmer)
Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans); More about trumpet creeper
Cross vine (Bignonia capreolata)
Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Yellow bells (Tecoma stans)
Mexican cardinal flower (Lobelia laxiflora)
Fuchsia
California fuchsia (Zauschneria californica)
Desert honeysuckle (Anisacanthus thurberi)
Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia californica)
Shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana)
Other Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are very territorial and aggressive against other hummers (and other kinds of birds). Therefore, to attract the most hummingbirds to your garden, you need to spread their preferred flowers and feeders throughout the yard. Otherwise they will fight over that one patch of bee balm.
Like all birds, hummingbirds also need places to rest and nest. They use trees or shrubs, or in arid climates, cacti. Spiderwebs are a key material for building their nests.
And hummingbirds need water to keep themselves clean. If their feathers become too sticky with nectar, they can't fly. They prefer shallow, moving water, such as in a shallow birdbath with a fountain that circulates the water. Even a birdbath with no fountain, just set slightly askew so that some water can flow over the side as a bird splashes in it, would be appreciated.
Hummingbirds also like fountains that spray straight up in the air; they'll flit in and out to take a shower. If you're lucky, you may even see one dash in and out of the spray or mist from your watering wand as you tend to container plants.
Sources for this story: The Hummingbird Society, Wild Birds Unlimited, National Audubon Society
