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A Guide on Attracting Hummingbirds to the Backyard

Do you love birdwatching and want to learn about the best flowers to attract hummingbirds? You have reached the right place. The antics of the jewel-colored, petite hummingbirds are bewitching to watch. Surprisingly fast and stubbornly territorial, these migratory birds follow the path of their favorite blooms according to the season.

A Guide on Attracting Hummingbirds to the Backyard
So give them your yard filled with nectar-dripping flowers, and let nature lure the enthralling and entertaining hummingbirds. Read on to learn more.

How to attract hummingbirds?
Attracting these charming birds is quite easy by following certain tips. Here’s a simple guide on how to attract hummingbirds and keep them coming back to your yard.

Plant their favorite flowers
Generally, hummingbirds feed on insects, tree sap, and pollen. However, nectar from flowers is their favorite. Hence the first step to luring them to your backyard is transforming the space with their favorite flowers. They can dip into any nectar-secreting bloom, while they are genuinely attracted to red flowers and tubular shapes.

Keep the plants blooming all season
The attractive task doesn’t end with planting the flowers. You also need to take care and maintain the garden to keep it enticing for the little buzzers with continuous colorful blooms, convincing them to stay in your yard all season long.

Refrain from using pesticides
You may be tempted to sprinkle pesticides or fertilizers to ensure a pest-free backyard. However, it is a big no if you want to attract hummingbirds. The harmful chemicals will prevent the birds from feeding on small, juicy insects, which is their primary protein source. Hence, opt for natural bug sprays to care for your beautiful blooms.

Which are the best flowers to attract hummingbirds?
There are countless flowers to attract a hummingbird, while some appear more enticing to these flying jewels than others. To help you, here we have compiled a list of perfect plantations to grow in your garden.

Salvia (Salvia officinalis)
Salvia is a deer-resistant flower that can attract every bird and butterfly, and hummingbirds are no exception. When planted in the middle of your garden, the black and blue flower will grow up to 3 or 4 feet tall.

Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
With its stunning peaks and spherical shape, the perennial bee balm is among the best flowers to attract hummingbirds . This intriguing flower is a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators. The plant is available in red, purple, and orange cultivators and can grow up to four feet tall.

Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
The bright purple-blue shade flowers of lobelia can attract hummingbirds with their mere 2 or 3-foot stems. They belong to the cardinal family and opt for seasonal bloom between July and October.

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Coral honeysuckle, the solid native vine, tends to bloom in late spring till summer to produce trumpet-shaped flowers to lure hummingbirds. The vine can grow, twin, and cling around the structure of your garden, reaching up to 25 feet. They are available in red, pink, and yellow tubes arranged in clusters.

Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
Bleeding heart is a stunning perennial plant adorned with attractive foliage and dazzling heart-shaped blooms in white or pink shades. The flowers perform their best to attract hummingbirds, especially in colder climates and lightly shaded spaces. The plant can grow up to 24-36 inches.

Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
True to its name, this delightful flowering shrub, butterfly bush, is good for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They have a thick and enlarged version of flowers that will bloom consistently between mid-summer and fall. Besides being attractive, it also provides a great shelter for birds.

What are the other ways to attract hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are fondly named ‘flying jewels’ for a reason, thanks to their catch-the-light speed as they flit between flowers. Let us discuss other effective ways to attract hummingbirds to your area so you can sit back and enjoy the sight.

Leave out the hanging feeders with nectar
Apart from planting the flowers to attract hummingbirds, amp up the floral factor with a feeder. Hang the feeder filled with nectar in a quiet space near the plants and flowers. The tiny creatures want easy access to the feeder.

Don’t forget the water source
Like other bird species, hummingbirds also require a constant supply of water sources, eight times their body weight daily. While the liquid source is mostly from nectar, it could also be from dew-soaked leaves. Therefore, provide water and respite to drink and bathe in, catching them whizzing through the sprinkles.

Keep out the flavourful fruit
Hummingbirds are also attracted to fruits, which are ripened and with broken skin. The exposure to fruit odor lures the feathery friend and allows them to enjoy its sugary juices. Favorite fruits like berries, watermelon, pears, oranges, and bananas are also beneficial with essential nutrients for your flying companion.

Make a hospitable space for nesting
Hummingbirds are not fond of birdhouses for nesting boxes. Instead, they follow the traditional way of building their nest with twigs, leaves, plan, and other natural sources. Hence, create a safe and hospitable space for the hummingbirds to enjoy peace and return in the future.

Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating, iridescent wing fliers ever encountered. The beguiling creature is not only a beautiful sight to behold, but they serve as important pollinators, helping your local ecosystem. With the best flowers to attract hummingbirds , you will soon be able to relish the color and life bought by the feathered fairies in your backyard.

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