Choosing the Ideal Location
Creating a hummingbird paradise starts with picking the right spot. Hummingbirds are agile creatures, but also fragile. They need a safe, shady area to rest from their high-energy activities, a sunny spot to bathe and preen, and secure places to build their nests. Thus, a hummingbird’s nirvana lies in the balance between sun and shade. A location with direct sun for about 75% and shaded areas for the rest would be ideal.
Sunlit areas are attractive to the hummingbirds as they seek out energy-rich nectar. Here, you can plant most of the sun-loving perennials and annuals. The shaded spots, however, provide crucial cover for them to rest, escape from predators, and raise their young. Evergreens, shrubs, and small trees are great nesting sites. Look for a place that is also safe from wind damage and excessive foot traffic.
Selecting the Right Flowers
Hummingbirds are attracted to colorful, tubular-shaped flowers filled with rich, sweet nectar. Three definitions that form the criteria of selecting flowers for your hummingbird garden. Chiefly, colors like red, pink, orange, and vibrant shades of purple are hummingbirds’ favorites. Not only do these colors attract hummingbirds from distances, but they are also less likely to attract bees which are color blind to red.
Hybrid flowers, though beautiful, sometimes lack the copious nectar that hummingbirds need. As alluring a garden full of hybrids might look, it might not be the best fit for a hummingbird. In general, perennials like Bee Balm, Foxglove, Lupine, and annuals like Salvia, Petunias, or Zinnias are excellent selections. Refer to resources such as Country Living’s list of hummingbird-friendly flowers for more options.
Creating a Low Maintenance Garden
Providing an ongoing buffet of flowers throughout the season without exhausting yourself can be a challenge. The key to a low-maintenance hummingbird garden is in selecting plants that are native to your local climate. They’ll not only thrive organically but also require less watering and care.
A few examples of low-maintenance flowers that hummingbirds are drawn to include Trumpet Creeper, Daylilies, Coral Bells, and Columbines. Using The Spruce’s list of hummingbird flowers, you can create an easy-to-care-for garden that is also a hummingbird haven.
Building a Complete Hummingbird Habitat
A successful hummingbird garden goes beyond just feeding. It caters to their need to rest, hide, and nest too. By providing shrubs and small trees, you create natural shelters where they can be safe from predators or bad weather. Don’t forget the need to incorporate within your garden a water feature. This could be a bird bath or a shallow hanging dish with water for them to drink and bathe.
A popular choice to consider when crafting this complete habitat is the inclusion of a hummingbird swing. Hummingbirds are known to perch on these swings as they guard their food source. As you plan your space, consult this practical guide to building a hummingbird-friendly habitat, and remember, the most successful gardens are the ones that are safe, dynamic, and tailored to the local climate and native plant life.
<small>Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/green-and-gray-humming-bird-screenshot-yWSJtyCB2R4 </small>