Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
Anna's hummingbird ©greg-griffin
Bringing hummingbirds into your backyard is not only a joy to watch, but it also helps these important pollinators thrive. By creating a hummingbird-friendly habitat, you can support their needs for food, water, shelter, and nesting sites. Here's how you can invite these dazzling birds into your space:
Native Flowers & Plants
One of the best ways to attract hummingbirds is by planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers. Look for native species whenever possible, as hummingbirds are naturally drawn to plants they evolved alongside.
Choose plants with bright colors — especially red, orange, pink, and purple — and tubular-shaped flowers that are perfect for their long beaks.
Aim to plant in layers so hummingbirds have food sources at different heights. Some hummingbird favorites:
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Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
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Bee Balm (Monarda)
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Salvia
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Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
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Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
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Penstemon
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Columbine
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Fuchsia
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Lupine
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Zinnia
@alice-madar
Anna's hummingbird@greg-griffin
Add Water Features
Hummingbirds need water for drinking and bathing, but they prefer shallow, moving water rather than deep birdbaths.
You can attract them with:
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Misters: A gentle mist is perfect for hummingbirds, who will fly through it to cool down and clean their feathers.
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Drippers and Bubblers: Moving water attracts their attention more than still water.
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Small fountains: Make sure the water flow is gentle, not forceful.
Place water features near plants or perches where hummingbirds can rest and dry off after bathing
Provide Nesting Sites
While hummingbirds don't use traditional birdhouses, you can help by offering natural materials and safe spaces for nesting:
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Plant dense shrubs and small trees like serviceberry, dogwood, or hawthorn to provide shelter.
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Leave small twigs, soft plant fibers, and spider webs in your yard, as hummingbirds use these materials to build their tiny nests.
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Avoid heavy pruning during the breeding season (spring and summer) to give hummingbirds plenty of natural nest sites.
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Native plants not only provide food but also serve as important nesting and sheltering spots.
If you find a nest, leave it in place; it is illegal to possess a nest or any part of it without a permit.
Anna's Hummingbird @greg-griffin
@hilary-joy
Offer Feeders (The Right Way)
Supplementing natural nectar sources with feeders can help hummingbirds, especially during migration. Follow these tips for healthy feeding:
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Use a simple sugar solution: Mix 1 part white granulated sugar with 4 parts water. No need to add red dye — the feeder's red color is enough to attract them.
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Keep feeders clean: Rinse and refill feeders every 2–3 days, and more often in hot weather, to prevent mold and fermentation.
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Hang feeders in the shade to slow spoilage and in places where hummingbirds can easily spot them while flying by.
Tip: If you have multiple feeders, space them apart to reduce competition between territorial hummingbirds.
