What To Know About Attracting Hummingbirds To Your Garden

Young woman holding a hummingbird in her hand

There's nothing like seeing a fast flutter of beautiful hummingbird wings in your garden! Hummingbirds are native to North and South America and pollinate an estimated 8,000 species of plants. While these speedy creatures may be tricky to see at times, hummingbirds are constantly hard at work searching for plants that will fuel their busy bodies. These creatures have been around for more than 20 million years, so they know exactly what they are looking for, and luckily researchers and horticulturists have been taking notes. Here, we'll explain just what attracts hummingbirds to the garden and list other ways you can help nurture these important (and beautiful) pollinators.

Flower graphic showing what attracts hummingbirds

Long, Tubular Flowers

Hummingbirds have long bills and tongues, which means it's most convenient for them to feed on long, tubular flowers that allow them to get as close to the nectar source as possible. These busy creatures also like open-faced flowers like rose of Sharon because the prominent stamens permit easy access to the nectar.

An Abundance of Nectar & Pollen

These active creatures need a lot of fuel to keep their wings fluttering throughout the garden, which is why they choose plants with an abundance of nectar and pollen! Native perennials and shrubs are always great choices for a pollinator garden because they are often long-lasting, durable, and jam-packed full of nectar.

Vibrant Flower Colors

Flower color and an abundance of nectar go hand in hand! Because plants have evolved alongside pollinators for millions of years, plants rich in nectar emerged in bright colors like red, purple, pink, and yellow as a neon sign to pollinators. Hummingbirds have then evolved to see these colors as a high-value food source, and the plants benefit from the cross-pollination.

Ripe Ornamental Fruit

Hummingbirds also like to feed on perennials, shrubs, or vines with ripe or overripe fruit due to their high sugar content. You can find them sipping the juices out of ornamental berries, pears, and apples. These fruits can also attract small insects that hummingbirds like to eat, like fruit flies or aphids that are full of protein and amino acids.

Additional Ways To Support Hummingbirds In Your Garden:

Now that we know the basics of what attracts hummingbirds let's talk more about other ways you can nurture them in your home garden! Aside from planting perennials, shrubs, and vines with the attributes listed above, consider the following:

Sugar Water: Whether in feeders or cups, offering a bevy of sugar water ensures the hummers stay hydrated!
Color Matters: Speaking of feeders, opt for brightly colored ones like red, purple, or pink so that the hummingbirds can easily find them.
Plan Your Garden: When choosing your plants, opt for long-blooming natives or pair early-blooming ones with late-blooming ones, creating a sustainable nectar source all season.
Minimize Pesticides: Pesticides can kill many flowering plants that hummingbirds and other pollinators feed on.
Delay Your Cleanup: Hummingbirds will use sticks and small branches to build their nest. Leave some out during your spring cleanup!