Attracting Hummingbirds
to the Garden

It is an awesome sight to capture a glimpse of a ruby-throated hummingbird hovering over the flower garden on a sunny summer morning. One or two a year may be seen seeking food in the borders and sampling everything in their path. Unfortunately, they leave as rapidly as they arrive. This Spring attract more of these miniature avian anomalies, and keep them returning year after year.

Each Spring, ruby-throated hummingbirds head to our area from their winter home in Central and South America. This is the only hummingbird that you will find in Pennsylvania, with their first appearance in late April to early May. Hummingbirds travel alone; they do not migrate in groups. Seasoned hummingbirds often return to the area that is familiar to them, but yearlings seek areas where food is plentiful. A hummingbird is capable of flying 60 miles per hour and they are in perpetual motion. They must eat constantly because they burn calories so rapidly. Once you start feeding this delicate creature it is important that you continue. If food is available they will probably set up residency for the season, and lay eggs.

You can charm hummers to your yard with a selection of their favorite nectar-producing flowers. Hummingbirds are not attracted by scent, but by color. Red is the primary attractant; however, pink, purple, blue, orange and yellow will also catch their attention. The flowers from which the birds draw nectar are tubular to accommodate their long narrow beak. Select a wide variety of plants that bloom at different times to keep hummingbirds happy and well fed for the whole season. Hummers also rely on insects for protein in their diet. Refrain from using insecticides where you are trying to attract the birds.

Hanging a feeder is another way to encourage hummingbird visits. Choose a feeder with red parts to resemble the flowers these birds prefer. Your chances of having ruby-throated hummingbirds visit your feeder are greatly increased if you also provide plants the birds favor. Fill feeder with a mixture of one part sugar to four parts hot water to help the sugar dissolve. You may fill the feeders after the mixture has cooled, or purchase Perky Pet Nectar, a convenient alternative to homemade nectar. Feeders require regular upkeep. Thoroughly clean feeders with warm water each time you refill them. Once a month, clean them with a mild bleach solution and be certain to rinse thoroughly. Hummingbirds will not feed from a dirty feeder. If ants are drawn to your feeder you may attach AntGuard by LineGuard, Inc. for season- long control.

Continue to provide food into the Fall when ruby-throated hummingbirds need it most to build up fat for their long journey back to their winter home. Following these instructions will almost guarantee a return visit next Spring.

ANNUALS:

Nasturtium

Flowering Tabacco (Nicotiana alata)
Four-O-Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
Fuschia (Fuschia x hybrida)
Geraniums (Pelargonium species)
Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana)
Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea)
Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Petunia (Petuna x hybrida)
Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)
Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea)
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

BULBS:

Canna (Canna x generalis)
Galdiolus (Gladiolus x hortulanus)

PERENNIALS & BIENNIELS:

Columbine

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Beard Tongue (Penstemon barbatus)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Columbine (Aquilegia hybrids)
Coral Bells (Heuchera hybrids)
Daylily (Hemerocallis hybrids)
Delphinium (Delphinium x elatum)
Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)
Hosta (Hosta species)
Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Spiked Gayfeather (Liatris)
Lily (Lillium species)
Rose Mallow (Hibiscus)
Russell Hybrid Lupine (Lupinus ‘Russell Hybrid’)

VINES:

Cypress Vine (Quamoclit pennata)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Morning Glory (Ipomoea)
Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus)
Trumpet Vine (Campis radicans)

SHRUBS:

Azalea (Rhododendron species)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
Lilac (Syringa species)
Weigela (Weigela florida)

Lilac

TREES:

Bottlebush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora)
Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)