Landscaping & Gardening Information

Create a Hummingbird Garden Habitat


It's not difficult to create a garden that will attract hummingbirds, but if you'd like to build a habitat in which they will happily nest and live throughout the northern summer, you need to provide them with more than a sugar-water feeder and a plant or two. An active hummingbird garden doesn't need to be large, but it will have all of the following key ingredients to attract and keep the attention of "nature's fairies".

Choose plants that attract HummingbirdsFlowers are, of course, the key ingredient in attracting hummingbirds to your garden. The tiny birds feed on nectar that is produced by flowers, and they seem particularly attracted to plants with trumpet or tubular bright red and orange flowers. Favorites include rhododendrons, azaleas and rose of Sharon bushes. For northern gardens that attract the ruby-throated hummingbird, choose plants that flower at different times during the blooming season to provide food for them throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Spring Bloomers - Azaleas, rhododendrons and rose of Sharon bushes make a great 'background' for hummingbird gardens. They bloom early in the spring and continue blooming through the early summer. Pink and bright red varieties are favored, but hummingbirds love all Rose of Sharon varieties.

Summer Bloomers - Bleeding hearts and red mountain columbine bloom in the early summer, as do petunias, morning glories, trumpet vines, trumpet honeysuckle, and impatiens, all of which attract hummingbirds.

Autumn Bloomers - Butterfly bush, day lilies, garden phlox, bee-balm and impatiens all will keep hummingbirds returning through the autumn. These blooms will also attract late migrators too.

Provide a source of water in the hummingbird gardenUnlike larger birds, hummingbirds will seldom take advantage of a bird bath or bowl of water. Instead, they relish cool mists. A garden hose with a misting attachment or a small fountain that can be adjusted to a fine mist will keep them happy.

Create perching and nesting space in your gardenHummingbirds need shelter from predators, plus small branches for perching and resting (yes, they do perch sometimes!). By choosing a few taller bushes or trees, you can provide both.

Several strategically placed hummingbird feedersThere are dozens of commercial hummingbird feeders designed to be attractive to the little wanderers. Choose feeders with bright red accents, and a capacity for about 8 ounces of sugar water. Instead of using one large feeder, place 2-4 of them around your garden, out of sight of each other if possible. Hummingbirds are notoriously territorial. By providing several 'private' feeding stations, you'll increase the number of hummingbirds that you attract.

Related information and resources from this article can be found at:http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/06/28/a-garden-to-attract-hummingbirds/

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Wild Bird Shop section of The Garden Source Network. You may publish it at no cost, as long as the links are left intact, made live, and this notice stays in place.


MORE RESOURCES:

Xinhua

Tiny, mighty Tengtou
Xinhua
BEIJING, July 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Next to the exhibits of numerous metropolises in the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) is that of the tiny village of Tengtou ...
Tiny, mighty TengtouChina.org.cn

all 3 news articles »


Retiring county extension horticulturist's job likely to be filled, eventually
istockAnalyst.com (press release)
When he leaves work for the last time at the end of the month, Chip Miller will leave more than a vacant office behind -- he'll be taking with him the ...



Rebates offered in Solano County for water-saving landscaping, artificial turf
Vallejo Times-Herald
Solano County residents can take advantage of $1000 rebates for replacing thirsty lawns with water-saving landscaping, the Solano County Water Agency has ...

and more »


Longtime home decor writer Jo Werne dies of heart attack
MiamiHerald.com
Former landscaping/gardening writer Georgia Tasker said that Werne loved to discuss her pets. ``She would come in with stories all the time about her cats, ...

and more »


PERKS OF THE PARK
CisionWire (press release)
As Love Parks Week kicks off today (24 July), encouraging people all across the country to appreciate the beauty of our parks, a new report from the UK body ...

and more »


Bay-Friendly landscapes grow businesses
Sustainable Industries
This means new business for sustainable landscape architects and growth for programs such as Bay-Friendly Landscaping and ...



Missouri Ruralist

Something for Everyone at State Fair
Missouri Ruralist
Additional topics in the showcase will include painting, photography and pottery demonstrations as well as tips from experts in landscaping, gardening and ...

and more »


Daily Dunklin Democrat

State Fair to offer Rural Lifestyle Showcase
Daily Dunklin Democrat
Other exhibits in the showcase will feature painting, photography, and pottery demonstrations, as well as tips from experts in landscaping, gardening, ...



DIY Matters launch Revolutionary Weed Control Product Range
I-Newswire.com (press release)
The website will also act as a portal for any landscaping, gardening or DIY advice and tips, helping to educate consumers about the product and its purpose. ...

and more »


Larry McLean
Minot Daily News
In retirement, he enjoyed landscaping, gardening and trips to Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Doris McLean; brother, ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006