How To Get More Hummingbirds In Your Garden

Wondering how to get more hummingbirds in your garden? We asked experts for some tips!

By Diane Small

Hummingbirds are enchanting creatures. They bring an air of magic to any garden they grace with their presence. Their iridescent colours, hovering flight, and tiny size make them a favourite among gardeners and bird enthusiasts alike.

If you’re eager to invite these charismatic visitors to your garden, you’re reading the right page! We asked the experts at Hummingbird Momma for their best tips.

1. Choose the Right Flowers

It’s well known that certain flowers are known to be particularly irresistible to hummingbirds. That’s due to their vibrant colours and high nectar content. But…which flowers are more likely to help you get more hummingbirds in your garden?

Here are some top choices.

Trumpet Vine: With its trumpet-like flowers in red, orange, or yellow, this vine is a hummingbird fave.
Bee Balm: The tubular flowers of bee balm offer both abundant nectar and a burst of colour.
Salvia: Available in various colours, salvia’s slender flowers provide a perfect perch for hummingbirds.

Fuchsia: The pendulous blooms of fuchsia come in captivating shades and are a hummingbird magnet.
Hummingbird Sage: This native plant boasts striking red flowers that hummingbirds can’t resist.

2. Provide Food

If.you want to know how to get more hummingbirds in your garden, food is the key.

Nectar is the lifeblood of hummingbirds. They have very high metabolisms, so having a consistent source of food is crucial.

While flowers offer nectar naturally, you can enhance your garden’s appeal by incorporating a hummingbird feeder. All you need to do is make your own nectar, then fill the feeder up.

Here’s an easy recipe, below.

Materials

A quarter cup refined white sugar

1 cup boiling water

Bowl, spoon

Note: Please do not substitute honey, which can promote dangerous fungal growth, or use red food coloring, which is not necessary and could also prove harmful to birds.

Steps

1. Mix sugar and boiling water until sugar is dissolved.

2. Cool and fill feeder.

3. Hang up your feeder outside and wait for the hummingbirds to come!

Alternatively, try the Premium Organic Hummingbird Food from Hummingbird Momma. It approximates the sweetness and consistency of the nectar naturally found in flowers. Their concentrate contains all the natural vitamins and minerals your frequent flyer needs to refuel, without pesticides, preservatives or dye.

3. Offer Shelter and Perches

Besides sustenance, hummingbirds need shelter from predators and harsh weather. Create a garden oasis by incorporating trees, shrubs, and plants that provide cover and suitable perches for resting and nesting. To ensure your garden becomes a true haven for these tiny wonders, Hummingbird Momma says you should consider incorporating the following trees, shrubs, and plants.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): This tree has heart-shaped leaves and vibrant pink flowers in early spring. Its branches are perfect perching sites for hummingbirds.

Azaleas: These flowering shrubs not only offer beautiful blossoms for humans to admire, but their dense foliage provides great shelter for hummingbirds.

Rhododendron: Similar to azaleas, rhododendrons have thick foliage and large, vibrant flowers. They can serve as both a food source and a hiding spot for hummingbirds.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida): Adorned with beautiful white or pink blossoms in the spring, the dogwood offers more than just aesthetic appeal. Its branches serve as excellent perches, and its thick canopy provides necessary shelter for hummingbirds. Additionally, when the tree fruits, it can attract a variety of birds, enhancing your garden’s avian diversity.

Coral Bells (Heuchera): These perennial plants, with their tall, slender stalks and bell-shaped flowers, are not just a source of nectar but also a favored perching spot.

By ensuring a mix of these trees, shrubs, and plants in your garden, you’ll definitely get more hummingbirds in your garden!

4. Provide Water

Another way to get more hummingbirds in your garden is to provide a shallow birdbath or water feature. These serve as a hydration station for hummingbirds and allows them to refresh themselves. Hydration and cleanliness are as vital for hummingbirds as food.

Here are five ways to offer water to these petite pollinators:

Shallow Birdbaths: Unlike deep water sources, shallow birdbaths allow hummingbirds to hover and sip without risking immersion. Place a few small stones in the bath to provide landing spots.
Misters: Installing a mister in your garden can simulate rain, allowing hummingbirds to fly through and moisten their feathers. It’s a delightful sight to watch them enjoy this.

Drippers: Attach a dripper to a container filled with water. The slow drip will attract hummingbirds, who can drink from the falling droplets.
Fountain with Gentle Spray: While gushing fountains might be too intense, those with gentle sprays can provide hummingbirds with both hydration and a fun way to bathe.
Leaf Basins: During a gentle rainfall, leaves can collect water, forming natural basins. Plants with broad leaves, like hostas, can serve as natural water containers.

Incorporating these water features not only benefits the hummingbirds but also adds a dynamic aesthetic to your garden as you watch these creatures flit and play in the water.

5. Keep Them Safe

Obviously, if you’re trying to get more hummingbirds in your garden, you need to keep them safe. That means: ensure no cats are nearby or likely to catch, harm or kill these little beauties.

But also, if you have large glass windows, it’s a good idea to put bird decals on them so your hummingbird friends don’t crash into the glass.

Finally, keep your windows closed in summer, in case they fly into your house. It can be hard to get them out!

Enjoy Your Hummingbird Paradise

As you craft a garden that hums with life, remember that the secret ingredient to an irresistible hummingbird haven isn’t just found in the flowers—it’s in the thoughtful nourishment you provide.

With the fusion of nutritious nectar and vibrant blooms, you’re creating a sanctuary that will continue to delight and amaze both you and your enchanting visitors.

Do you have any more tips on how to get more hummingbirds in your garden? Let us know in the comments, below!

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Diane Small

A University of Texas journalism graduate and serious chocolate enthusiast, Diane was a sub-editor at the Houston Chronicle before falling pregnant. Today, she is the proud mom of two kids under the age of three, and freelances for Eluxe in between nappy changes and feedings.