Are you looking to attract hummingbirds to your yard? If so, you’ve come to the right place! These tiny but mighty birds are one of the most common spring visitors to homes in the Northern Hemisphere. They also make for an excellent backyard buddy, as long as you have the space for them and a few tricks up your sleeve.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about attracting hummingbirds, from choosing the right type of garden and plantings layout to keeping them fed and their surroundings clean. Keep reading to learn more!
Keep Reading to Learn More!
As you learned above, hummingbirds are one of the easiest species to attract to your yard. But don’t stop there! While you can create a hummingbird haven with a few tricks and additions, you also need to choose the right type of garden and planting layout in order to get the most out of your efforts.
Let’s take a look! What types of gardens attract hummingbirds? Hedges and Bushes: Many hummingbirds prefer to nest in bushes or shrubs that are 6 to 8 feet tall, so these plants can serve as attractive nesting sites. Many of the smaller species prefer thorny shrubs, so it’s also helpful to include a few thorny shrubs in your yard.
The presence of a dense hedge or bush in your yard can also help to keep other garden pests away. Hummingbirds are drawn to bushes and hedges because of their vertical height and abundance of nests, so adding one to your yard could help to ward off other pests too.
The presence of other plants in your yard can also make a hedge or bush look more inviting. Adding flowering vines, air plants, or flowering herbs can help to create a more attractive environment for hummingbirds by creating a dense “landscape” that surrounds your hedge and provides visual interest.
Container Gardens: If you have the space, a container garden can be an excellent way to bring summer joy to your yard. Many smaller species of hummingbirds prefer to nest in pots, so these plants can function as a hummingbird-friendly “nest box.” Some species of hummingbirds also prefer to nest in bamboo, so make sure you include some of this in your container garden.
You can also create a hummingbird-friendly “breathing” effect by placing a decorative pot with a hole in the bottom of your yard near a window. The hum of the air flowing into the pot will be bumblebee-like, making it seem like there’s a hummingbird nest in the pot.
Shrubs and Vines: All types of plants can serve as hummingbird-friendly covers. In particular, plants with thorns, such as roses, can provide a lot of cover for hummingbirds. Shrubs and vines can make an attractive backdrop as well, as many hummingbird species like to perch on these plants while they feed.
There are also many flowering plants that are especially attractive to hummingbirds. These include asters (a type of aster), cosmos, coreopsis (a type of sunflower), marigolds, petunias, salvias, Solomon’s seal, yarrow, and many others.
Create a gentle hummingbird haven
Hummingbirds are gentle birds, meaning that they don’t like to fight for territory or resources with other birds. In fact, they are such gentle birds that they are unable to defend their nests from other birds, so they are usually only found in gardens and yards where this is allowed. As gentle as hummingbirds are, they still need to feel safe and secure during the day to return to their nests.
When possible, create a hummingbird-friendly haven in your yard that is gentle on the hummingbird’s eyes, while being welcoming and easy to nest in. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can create a gentle hummingbird haven in your yard.
Maintain an active feeding station
If you have a regular hummingbird feeder, this is a great way to create a gentle hummingbird haven. Place this feeder in a location that is near the best hummingbird flowers in your yard, and place it within sight of a treetop. If you want to make sure that the hummingbirds are the most active, you can even place the feeder within sight of your hummingbird feeder.
You can include a few simple hummingbird-friendly additions to make your feeder even better for hummingbirds. For example, if you have a regular feeder, include a few hummingbird-friendly additions. Consider including a hummingbird feeder decoration or feeder cover to create a softer feel for the hummingbirds.
You can also add a few hummingbird-friendly flowers to add a bit of natural color and variety to the feeder, and a few extra hummingbird feeder accessories to make it easier for the hummingbirds to feed.
Create a natural feeding station
Another great way to create a gentle hummingbird haven is to create a natural feeding station. A natural feeding station can be created with a few simple additions. For example, consider creating a feeding station in plain view of your yard. This can be done by placing the feeding station near a window, such as near a treetop or on a patio. This way, the hummingbirds can see the feeder in plain view, and will likely visit it more often.
You can also create a natural feeding station by planting a few low-maintenance perennials in your yard. Many hummingbirds are drawn to the colors and shapes of these perennials, making them a great choice for a natural hummingbird feeder. Consider planting a few low-maintenance perennials in your yard that are suitable for hummingbird consumption, such as butterfly weed (a type of marigold), coreopsis, and blue vervain.
Create a clean feeding station
Another way to create a clean hummingbird feeder is to be extra careful when cleaning the feeder. If you clean your feeder often, consider putting the feeder in a bird bath or a container with a lid. This way, you can keep the feeder clean while keeping other birds from getting to it.
Create a sheltered feeding station
If your yard is exposed to harsh weather conditions or you are concerned about predators in your yard, consider creating a sheltered hummingbird feeder. Shady locations or containers can be used for this purpose. When creating a sheltered hummingbird feeder, be sure to include plants that provide a bit of protection from harsh weather, such as shade-tolerant plants, or plants that help to block the wind, such as cacti.
Keep it clean for the best results
When you create a hummingbird-friendly haven in your yard, be sure to clean it regularly. Too much buildup of insects and debris in the feeder can be harmful to the hummingbirds that visit your feeder. To keep the feeding station clean, use a gentle scrubber like a paintbrush to clean off any insect buildup, and empty any nectar that drips from the feeder.
If you have a regular feeder, consider spraying the feeder with a gentle misting spray, or brushing off any excess nectar that collects on the feeder. This will help to keep the feeder clean and spiffy for hummingbirds.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are fascinating birds that can add a lot of joy to your life. Like many birds, they are shy and reluctant to interact with people, making it difficult to attract them to your yard. To make the most of the time you spend with these birds, follow these steps. Keep your garden and yard clean, with a variety of flowering plantings and shrubs.
Create a gentle hummingbird haven with a bumblebee-like hummingbird feeder, hummingbird feeder decoration, and other hummingbird-friendly additions. If you are lucky enough to have hummingbirds visiting your yard, be sure to maintain a clean feeding station and keep it out of the rain. This will help to keep your hummingbird feeder healthy and happy!
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