There are hundreds, if not thousands, of flowers that hummingbirds dine on, giving you countless possibilities for your gardenscape. While it's true that hummingbirds love red flowers, they do enjoy other hues. After red, purple flowers come in close second, followed by oranges and yellows. Why is color important? Hummingbirds don't have a keen sense of smell and rely on sight to find the right flowers. Red is nice and easy to find! Tubular-shaped flowers are sought-after as well: they make it easy for the birds to drink their nectar and collect pollen at the same time.
THESE PLANTS ARE HUMMINGBIRD MAGNETS
For the plant name hover over the image. Click the image for complete plant details.
MORE WAYS TO ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS
Supplementing your flower garden with hummingbird feeders invites more of these little birds to the garden. Be warned: these guys are very territorial, and you may see one or two guarding "their" flowers or feeders, and chasing off the competition. The best thing to do is to plant many flowers and spread them out in your garden. The same applies to feeders. Speaking of feeders: if you plan to supplement your garden with feeders, please consider making your own nectar. If you purchase it, please try nectar without red dye, which is harmful to hummingbirds. The easiest and least expensive way to ensure quality is to make your own hummingbird nectar using refined white sugar and water. Here's a great recipe. Be sure to thoroughly clean your feeders often (more often in hot weather) and enjoy these little wonders of nature.
HUMMINGBIRDS LOVE WATER
Hummingbirds love water. You may see them flying through sprinklers or spending time at the birdbath. If you really want to make them happy, invest in a bubbling fountain. There are several varieties on the market that look great, don't take up too much space, and don't break the bank.