Of course we love the unique and antique enhancements that can be brought to a garden, but one of our favorite garden features isn’t something that can be purchased at all – it’s only found in nature. Hummingbirds, one of nature’s surest signs of the season, are a delightful part of many home gardens. They bring a bit of excitement and wonder to a garden that can only be found when you take a moment to enjoy the setting. To keep up the view, there are specific things you can do to entice them to visit.
- Plant nectar rich flowers. Hummingbirds are most attracted to red plants but will visit any nectar rich flower, regardless of color. Bleeding hearts, salvias, and honeysuckles are a few of the flower varieties perfect for attracting hummingbirds.
- Attract insects. Hummingbirds also feed on insects in your garden. Refrain from using pesticides or insecticides that will kill insects and consider planting insect-attracting flowers.
- Install a feeder. Invest in a nectar feeder specifically designed for hummingbirds. You can choose from a wide variety of feeders including gel packs, inverted tubes, or saucer dishes. Of course, you can get creative with the project by stopping by Marvin Gardens.
- Focus on moving water sources. All birds like water, but hummingbirds will rarely use a bird bath. Instead, they are attracted to moving sources of water such as misters, fountains, or moving sprinklers. Hummingbirds are known to find a perch in a spray or fly through a sprinkler stream to cool off.
- Provide perches. Hummingbirds tend to use a perch to rest and preen between feedings. Providing thin perches such as clotheslines or wires near food sources will give the hummingbirds a reason to stay in your garden.
Image via Birds and Blooms
