June 14, 2019

One of the best parts of summer is the possibility of seeing a hummingbird flying around your garden. However, because of climate change, hummingbirds may become a rarer sight. The changing environment has altered what plants grow on migration routes, eliminating food resources. Help keep hummingbirds thriving by making your own hummingbird sanctuary! Here are a couple of tips for how to attract hummingbirds to your garden.

Select the Right Plants

One of the best ways to attract hummingbirds is to plant the right plants in your garden. There are several things to keep in mind when selecting plants that will attract hummingbirds. First, hummingbirds are especially attracted to the color red, so be sure to include red tubular flowers in your garden. Also, hummingbirds are especially attracted to native plants, such as honeysuckle and bee balm. These plants produce more nectar than exotics. In addition, make sure to plant several different kinds of flowers with different blooming periods to attract hummingbirds throughout the year.

In addition to flowers, hummingbirds also love deciduous trees and shrubs close to nectar sources. These plants give hummingbirds cover and a place to nest.

Put Up Feeders

While hummingbirds love nectar rich tubular flowers, they also love hummingbird feeders. You can buy these feeders at your local hardware or garden store. It is best to fill your feeder with your own mix of one part sugar and four parts water. Be sure not to include any artificial dye or sweeteners. Make sure to hang it in a shady place to avoid fermentation and change the feed regularily.

Include a Water Source

Hummingbirds love to bathe in water and love water drip sources or a misting device. Hummingbirds will flock to your garden to bathe!