Flowers That Hummingbirds Feed On: attracting hummingbirds to your garden

Table of Contents

When it comes to attracting wildlife to your garden, hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating creatures you can hope to welcome. These tiny birds are not only beautiful with incredibly fast wingbeats that create a humming sound, but they also play an essential role in pollination. In this post, we'll explore why hummingbirds are significant for your garden, what they eat, and how to attract them to your outdoor space.

Why Hummingbirds are Important for Your Garden

Hummingbirds play a vital role in pollination. As they feed on nectar, their beaks and faces come into contact with the flower's reproductive parts, transferring pollen from one plant to another. This process leads to fertilization, which produces fruit and seeds needed to fuel new plants' growth.

What Do Hummingbirds Eat?

Hummingbirds primarily feed on flower nectar, tree sap, and insects. They have a unique digestive system that processes sugar rapidly, allowing them to consume twice their body weight in nectar each day. To supplement their diet, they eat insects such as mosquitoes, aphids, and gnats, providing the protein and nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development.

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden?

One of the best ways to attract hummingbirds to your garden is to provide a variety of nectar-rich flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year. Below are some of the best flowers to include in your hummingbird garden.

Hummingbird Diet

Nectar-Producing Flowers

As mentioned earlier, hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar. To attract them to your garden, plant flowers that provide a significant source of this sweet liquid. Some of the best nectar-producing flowers include trumpet vine, bee balm, cardinal flower, and honeysuckle.

Insectivorous Plants

While most of a hummingbird's diet is composed of nectar, they also need protein and other nutrients found in insects. Consider adding insectivorous plants such as pitcher plant, Venus flytrap, and sundew to your garden to provide a natural food source for these tiny birds.

Insects

Lastly, hummingbirds also feed directly on insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, and fruit flies. You can encourage these insects' presence by growing certain plants like marigold, basil, and lavender that naturally repel mosquitoes, making it easier for hummingbirds to hunt for their prey.

Colorful Flowers for Hummingbirds

Red Flowers

Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to red flowers, perhaps because the color makes them think of nectar-rich tubular blooms that they love. Some red flowers to consider planting in your garden include cardinal flower, coral bells, and salvia.

Orange Flowers

Another color that hummingbirds find irresistible is orange. California fuchsia, lantana, and trumpet creeper are some of the beautiful orange-hued blooms that you can add to your garden attracts hummingbirds.

Pink Flowers

While not as attractive to hummingbirds as red or orange flowers, pink flowers still a good choice If you're looking for a light and delicate color in your garden. Hummingbirds love bee balm, Texas sage, and rose-like pentas.

Purple Flowers

Hummingbirds are also drawn to purple flowering plants that look like tubes, which can be mistaken for nectar-filled blooms. Some of the most beautiful flowers to consider planting include lavender trumpet vine, butterfly bush, and Mexican petunia.

How to Plant a Hummingbird-Friendly Garden

Choosing the Right Location and Soil

Hummingbirds prefer sunny locations with some shade to rest on hot days. Plant your garden in an area where they can find adequate shade and protection from predators such as cats. Ensure that the soil is well-draining, adequately aerated and contains enough organic matter.

Planting Flowers That Bloom at Different Times

To ensure that hummingbirds have a constant source of nectar and insects, plant a mixture of annuals and perennials that bloom at different times throughout the year. This will help maintain consistent food sources for the birds all season long.

Providing Water Source and Shelter

Hummingbirds need a water source to drink and bathe. A simple bird bath or fountain in your garden can do the trick. It's also essential to add shelter such as trees or shrubs to provide cover to birds roosting or building nests.

Best Feeders for Hummingbirds

Dripless Feeders

Dripless feeders, as the name suggests, are an excellent option if you want to avoid wasting nectar due to spilling or dripping. These feeders come with special valves that prevent the nectar from spilling, keeping it fresh for much longer — another important factor when feeding hummingbirds.

Top-Fill Feeders

Top-fill feeders make it more comfortable for you to refill the feeder without having to take the entire device apart. They have a convenient opening at the top that can be easily unscrewed to refill them.

Suction Cup Window Feeders

As the name suggests, suction cup window feeders attach to your windowpane with suction cups, allowing for clear views of feeding hummingbirds while they're attracted to closer proximity to you.

Creating a hummingbird-friendly garden is not difficult, but it requires some preparation. By planting nectar-rich flowers, choosing a suitable location and soil type, adding shelter and water sources, and selecting suitable feeders, you can enjoy these amazing creatures visiting your outdoor space. Follow the tips we've shared above, and watch your hummingbird haven come to life.

FAQ

• What time of year do hummingbirds come out? Hummingbirds typically migrate to different areas based on the seasons. They can start to appear in gardens from late March through September.
• Do hummingbirds eat from all flowers? Hummingbirds tend to feed mostly from red and orange tubular flowers but will feed from other species if they contain adequate nectar.
• How long does it take for hummingbirds to notice a new feeder? It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for hummingbirds to locate a new feeder, depending on factors like the location, their migratory patterns, and the availability of food sources.
• What is the best location to hang a hummingbird feeder? Hang your feeder in a shady spot where the hummingbirds can find some protection from predators or harsh weather conditions.
• Can hummingbirds survive on just nectar? While nectar is an essential part of their diet, hummingbirds also need insects for protein and other nutrients found in the natural environment.
• What can I do if I don't have a garden or patio to attract hummingbirds? If you're living in a small apartment, rooftops, or balcony, you can place potted plants, window feeders or visit nearby cottages, gardens or parks with hummingbird feeders or natural vegetation.
• Do hummingbirds migrate to the same place every year? Yes, depending on the season, hummingbirds will migrate to the same areas or follow specific migration routes, covering thousands of miles in one journey.
• How many times a day do hummingbirds feed? Hummingbirds feed frequently throughout the day, consuming 1.5-2 times their body weight in nectar and insects.
• What should I do if my hummingbird feeder is being overtaken by bees or wasps? Move the feeder to another location, remove any wasp or bee nests in the area, and try using feeders with bee guards or using a natural insect repellent.
• Are artificial nectar mixes harmful to hummingbirds? Artificial nectar is not as nutritious as natural nectar but can be used if you don't have an adequate or timely supply of natural nectar. Avoid adding food colorings or sweeteners as they can harm or disrupt hummingbirds' digestive system — use only one-part white granulated sugar dissolved in four parts water.