Hummingbird gardens attract pollinators by offering food, water and a place to rest.
It is helpful to understand a pollinators habitat to grow a hummingbird garden.
Hummingbirds are tiny birds also known as pollinators.
Cardinal Flower with Ruby-throated Hummingbird –Source
Hummingbirds are inquisitive by nature, territorial and do not use birdhouses.
They live approximately four years, but can live much longer depending on the species and their habitat.
Hummingbird eggs hatch in 2-3 weeks; the birds leave the nest about three weeks later.
They find nectar by sight, not smell.
Hummingbirds are primarily attracted to red, orange and dark purple colors.
Tubular shaped flowers are favored for the amount of nectar they can hold.
Cardinal Flower with Ruby-throated Hummingbird –Source
Flower clusters with many tiny florets, such as verbena, attract hummingbirds but are not their favorite.
The hummingbird will have to make many more trips, thereby expending more energy, to consume enough nectar.
Gardeners who do not use pesticides in their flower gardens will have greater success attracting hummingbirds.
Insects and tiny spiders are a hummingbirds source of protein.
Hummingbird Habitat
Source
These pollinators require a source of water and a place to perch.
Hummingbirds like a shallow birdbath with some moving water.
Source
A bubbling bang out fountain or fountain with an upward spray will work, as well.
An automatic miser is another idea.
Add trees to a hummingbird garden.
New Perennial Planting Stratagems –Source
Hummingbirds will use small branches, twigs or leaf stems to sit on and rest.
Hummingbird Plants
Flowering plants for hummingbirds can be found in many types of gardens.
Wildflower, perennial, scented, butterfly,songbirdor cutting gardens could be grown for dual purposes.
Butterfly weed flower –Source
Annual plants can be used in containers or planting beds to attract hummingbirds.
Do not forget to dig up the tubers tender in colder growing regions before the first frost.
Of course, perennials are the most popular group of garden plants used in hummingbird gardens.
Cleome –Source
Trees and shrubs in a hummingbird garden will be used for that resting spot.
While most ornamental grassesattract butterflies, none have nectar for hummingbirds.
Impatiens walleriana –Source
Allium –Source
Floxglove –Source
