Attracting Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are a variety of wildlife that are attainable
in any area, with the provision those conditions necessary for their survival. This can be accomplished through the
creation of hummingbird gardens.

The variety of hummingbird attracted to a garden is
dependent on the regional area. Gardeners east of the
Mississippi are only visited by the ruby-throated
hummingbird, while Western gardeners usually are visited by
seven different varieties. 

Although hummingbirds eat tiny insects, their preferred food is nectar, which tends to be most abundant in trumpet- shaped flowers. Although they will feed from other flowers,
blooms that are reddish or purple in color are most
attractive to hummingbirds. Hence, gardens containing a
large number of desirable flowers are most attractive.
Fragrance is not an essential element, as the birds are
attracted by color. Hummingbird gardens should contain
plants which bloom continually from May to early autumn,
when hummingbirds are present in Michigan.

A hummingbird can be characterized in several ways, most
notably by their small size and the fast pace at which their
wings beat. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red.
Because their wings beat unusually quick, hummingbirds use
extreme amounts of energy; making it necessary for the birds
to feed every 10 to 15 minutes from dawn until sunset.
Hummingbirds are territorial and will guard prime flower
plantings. 

One dominant bird often drives others away.  If you want to 

encourage more hummers to take up residence, plant several 

different hummingbird gardens in your yard with plenty of distance between them.

Hummingbirds will also drink sugar water from specially
constructed feeders. The container is usually red, making
it attractive to the birds. The sugar water solution is
relatively easy to make at home, a combination of 1 part
sugar to 4 parts water. After combining, bring the solution
to a boil and then cool before placing it in the feeder.
Boiling it will keep it fresh for a longer period of time;
however, if the feeder is not emptied quickly, change the
solution within a few days. Honey is not a recommended
substitute for sugar, as it ferments and spoils too quickly.

The following table cites plants useful in the attraction

of hummingbirds: (note the numbers following the 

plant name represents the month of bloom and is 

followed by the color of the flower)

SHRUBS

Rose of Sharon  (Hibiscus) 

LAVENDER CHIFFON, 7,8 lavender
WHITE CHIFFON   7,8 white

BLUE SATIN  7,8 blue

BLUSH SATIN  7,8 light pink

VIOLET SATIN  7,8 violet

ROSE SATIN  7,8 pink

Weigela (Weigela) 

WINE & ROSES 5,6 vivid pink

FRENCH LACE  5,6 dark red

MIDNIGHT WINE 5,6 light pink

TENDER BULBS
        `Dahlia (Dahlia) 7,8,9,10 r,p,y,o,w
        Gladioli (Gladiolus) 7,8,9 many

TREES
        Black locust (Robinia) 5 w
        Crabapple (Malus) 5 r,p,w
        Hawthorn (Crategus) 5,6 w,p
        Horse chestnut (Aesculus) 5 w
        Red Buckeye (Aesculus) 5 r
        Siberian pea (Caragana) 5,6 y

VINES
        Honeysuckle (Lonicera) 6,7,8,9,10 r,y
        Morning glory (Ipomea) 7,8,9,10 r,b
        Scarlet runner bean 7,8,9,10 r
            (Phaseolus)
        Trumpet creeper (Campsis) 7,8,9 o,r

WILDFLOWERS
        Bee balm (Monarda) 7,8 p,r
        Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) 5 r,p
        Butterfly weed (Asclepias) 7,8 o
        Cardinal flower (Lobelia) 7,8,9,10 r
        Jewelweed (Impatiens) 6,7,8,9,10 o
        Scarlet larkspur (Delphinum) 6,7,8,9,10 r