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Part 3a: Attracting Hummingbirds

by Sharon David

Introduction

In this part of Wildlife In My Backyard I will describe various gardens and flowers needed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your backyard during the upcoming summer months. Gardening for hummingbirds and/or butterflies need not be on a large scale, but could be obtainable on a balcony or in a small backyard. If you have an existing garden you most likely have some plants they use, but you could probably add a few specific plants.

Hummingbirds

The hummingbird is one of the most favourite of our summer garden visitors, and is often mistaken for a bumblebee if not closely examined. Flower gardening for hummingbirds is often easier than providing feeders. This is due to the sugar water in the feeders needing daily to semi-daily changes during the warm summer months, as the sugar ferments in the heat and could potentially cause salmonella poisoning and kill the hummingbirds. For those of you who cannot be dedicated to the frequent feeding solution changes should provide flowers which will be a safer alternative.

In the Kingston area, and all of North America east of the Mississippi River, there is generally only one hummingbird found — the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The average spring arrival date for Kingston is May 9, and fall departure usually underway in August with most gone by September 21.1

Dive Display.

Male Ruby-throats arrive ahead of females in the spring and establish territories around nectar rich flowers. The dive display, accompanied by a loud buzz, of the male will often alert you that a nearby female is being courted.2,3

Female with nest.

The female builds a 1½” nest of plant down, lichens or bud scales, usually 10 to 20 feet above ground in coniferous or deciduous trees. Incubation of 2 eggs lasts about 16 days, and the nestling period is from 14 to 31 days.2,3

Some interesting facts about hummingbirds: Ruby-throats weigh 3 grams; the hummingbird egg is half the size of a jellybean; the wing beats 78 times per second during regular flight and 200 times per second during the male display dive; a resting hummingbird takes 250 breaths per minute; Ruby-throats fly 500 miles nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico to their overwintering grounds. Some fiction: Hummingbirds eat only nectar (no, they also spend time catching insects like small spiders); Hummingbirds feed only at red flowers (no, they visit flowers of all shapes, colours and sizes, but have learnt that trumpet shaped and red flowers often have more nectar); Hummingbirds migrate on the backs of Canada Geese (this is a very widespread and popular myth but there has been no scientifically documented evidence).2

Using Feeders to Attract Hummingbirds

Using feeders to attract Hummingbirds is sometimes simpler than planting flowers, but you will not be able to keep hummingbirds around if there are no natural food sources in your area. Hummingbirds require not only nectar but also protein and they obtain that from bugs like spiders that occur on natural nectar producing flowers, or by gleaning them from the undersides of leaves or on buildings.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird coming to a glass feeder. Note the low level of the feeder solution so it can be changed more often.

You can provide feeders to supplement your flower plantings and provide you with a closer view of the hummingbirds. However, the responsibility of providing sugar water in these feeders is high, and if you cannot be dedicated to the required weekly and sometimes bi-weekly solution changes, you should just plant flowers or place a hanging basket to watch the hummingbirds close to your window instead. The reason for this is that sugar water can ferment and grow bacteria during the warmer months, and by being placed in direct sunlight. When temperatures are below 70 F (20 C) you should change the feeder solution on a weekly basis. When temperatures are above 80 F (30 C) or your feeder is in direct sunlight above 70 F you should change it from 3-4 day intervals. If you do not change your solution the birds can become sick from the bacteria, contract salmonella and die. Do not fill your feeder full of sugar water but only an amount that the birds would drink in 4 days which will also be your cue to change the feeder, and also save on the sugar water.

Leaking feeders will attract wasps.

There are many types of hummingbird feeders on the market, both glass and plastic as well as different styles. There are several things to consider when purchasing a hummingbird feeder, but in particular will be the location of placement. If you place the feeder in direct sunlight for most of the day a plastic one is not recommended as the plastic will discolor. If you place your feeder in a windy location you should buy a feeder that has the feeding ports on top of the feeder and not on the sides, as this will help prevent the sugar water from leaking out as it rocks back and forth in the wind and attracting wasps. If you want to purchase a window suction cup feeder you have to remember that you will probably have sugar water getting on the window if your feeder is in direct sunlight, creating a messy situation, and you will possibly have ants climbing up the window to the feeder. Place a window suction cup feeder on the shady side of the house to decrease this, or instead of a window suction cup you can purchase a hanger bracket and hang a regular hanging feeder. One nice thing that a hummingbird feeder does provide is easy viewing of the hummers and also allows you to start feeding them early in the season, like in May, when they just return, but when no flowering plants are available as a natural food source. I also will place out a hanging basket of fuschia in early spring and bring it indoors at night so that the birds are also attracted by the flowers.

Designing a Hummingbird Garden

Designing a hummingbird garden in connection with an existing garden is much easier than starting from scratch but both require similar designs. Hummingbirds require narrower gardens than butterflies in order to access flowers on either side. Curving flower beds and clusters of trees and shrubs are better suited to the needs of hummingbirds so they can approach the blooms from all sides. The garden should not be crowded with large trees and shrubs. A good balance is ¼ shade, ¼ partial shade, ½ open area of lawn, ground cover, or flower beds (Figure 2). Create a variety of levels with tall trees, medium-height trees, shrubs, flowers and low grassy areas. These different areas will give your hummingbirds choices of where to feed and perch.3 Male hummingbirds prefer to have one large tree to use as a strategic lookout post.3

The spring time garden. Narrow beds along buildings and curving beds elsewhere.

A. Container Plants

Containers offer plantings in a limited space such as on a balcony, and can also offer nectar sources in early spring before garden plants bloom. Containers such as baskets, pots, window boxes, and planters are kept indoors during cold weather, and on warm days are placed in open areas where hummingbirds can find them. Feeders can be placed out as a supplemental food source. Fuschias are a favourite hummingbird plant and perfect for containers. Other good choices include annual phlox, basket begonia, nasturtium, petunia, scarlet sage, and snapweed.3Place your hibiscus outdoors during the spring and summer as well.

B. Wildflowers

Wildflowers often offer more nectar than the cultivars that have been derived from them and are an excellent choice for natural settings (Table 1).3 Please do not go digging up wildflowers to transplant to your garden. Many wildflowers can be purchased from seed catalogues, or by purchasing wildflower seed mixtures at most nurseries. If you cannot find that particular plant you want for your garden, mark the wildflowers’ location and return when the plant has gone to seed and collect some of the seeds for your garden.

Table 1: Hummingbird Wildflowers of the East

Begonia Family
Cross Vine, Bignonia capreolata
Trumpet Vine, Campsis radicans
Mint Family
Bee Balm, Monarda didyma
Purple Bergamot, Monarda media
Bluebell Family
Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Morning Glory Family
Red Morning Glory, Ipomoea coccinea
Buttercup Family
Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadense
Phlox Family
Texas Plume, Ipomopsis rubra
Smooth Phlox, Phlox laberrima
Wild Sweet William, Phlox maculata
Evening Primrose Family
Fireweed, Epilubium angustifolium
Logania Family
Indian Pink, Spigelia marilandica
Honeysuckle Family
Trumpet Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempirvirens
Pink Family
Fire Pink, Silene virginica
Scarlet Lychnis,Lychnis chalcedonica
Iris Family
Red Iris, Iris fulva
Snapdragon Family
Indian Paintbrush, Castilleja coccinea
Red Turtlehead, Chelone oblique
Lily Family
Canada Lily, Lilium canadense
Wood Lily, Lilium philadelphicum
Touch-Me-Not Family
Pale Jewelweed,Impatiens pallida
Spotted Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis

C. Annuals, Perennials, Vines, Trees, and Shrubs

Planting perennials in a new garden can be very expensive and may take several years for maturation to their full potential so annuals are a convenient substitute, or filler. Among my flower favourites are bleeding heart, bee balm, columbine, coral-bells, lupine, nasturtium and verbena.

Numerous trees, shrubs and vines also attract hummingbirds. Some favourites include butterfly bush (no garden should be without!), hibiscus, flowering crab apple and honeysuckle. Of the vines morning glory and in particular trumpet honeysuckle are a garden must. Table 2 summarizes hummingbird plants that are available at most nurseries, or from mail-order garden catalogues, such as Stokes.

Table 2: Hummingbird plants available at nurseries.3

Herbacious Plants
Bee Balm, Monarda spp.Begonia, Begonia spp.
Blazing Star, Liatris spp.* Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spp.
* Butterfly-Weed, Asclepias tuberosaCanna, Canna generalis
* Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalisCarpet Bugle, Ajuga reptans
Century Plant, Agave americana* Columbine, Aquilegia ssp.
* Coral-Bells, Heuchera sanguineaDahlia, Dahlia merckii
Dame’s Rocket, Hesperis matronalisDelphinium, Delphineum spp.
Fire Pink, Silene virginica* Flowering Tobacco, Nicotiana alata
* Four-o’-Clock, Mirabilis jalapaFoxglove, Digitalis spp.
* Fushsias, Fuchsia spp.Geranium, Pelargonium spp.
Gilia, Gilia ssp.Gladiolus, Gladiolus spp.
Hollyhocks, Althea spp.* Impatiens, Impatiens spp.
* Lantana, Lantana camara* Lily, Lilium spp.
* Lupine, Lipinus spp.* Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Paintbrush, Castilleja spp.Penstemon, Penstemon spp.
Petunia, Petunia spp.* Phlox, Phlox spp.
Red-Hot Poker, Kniphofia uvariaScabiosas, Scabiosa spp.
* Scarlet Sage, Salvia splendensSpider Flower, Cleome spinosa
* Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus* Verbena, Verbena spp.
Yucca, Yucca spp.* Zinnia, Zinnia spp.
Shrubs
Abelia, Abelia grandifloraAzaleas, Rhododendron spp.
Bearberry, Arctostaphylos spp.Beloperone, Beloperone californica
Beauty Bush, Kolwitzia amabilis* Butterfly Bush, Buddleia davidii
Cape Honeysuckle, Tecomaria capensis* Currant, Ribes odoratum
Flowering Quince, Chaenomeles japonicaGooseberry, Ribes speciosum
Hardy Fuschia, Fuschia magellanica* Honeysuckle, Lonicera spp.
Hibiscus, Hibiscus ssp.Jasmine, Jasminum ssp.
Scarlet Bush, Hamelia erecta* Weigela, Weigela spp.
Vines
Cypress-Vine, Quamoclit spp.* Honeysuckle, Lonicera spp.
* Morning Glory, Ipomea ssp.Scarlet Runner-Bean, Phaseolus coccineus
Trumpet Creeper, Campsis radicans* Trumpet Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens
Trees
Chaste-Tree, Vitex agnus-castusChinaberry, Melia azedarach
Cockspur Coralbean, Erythrina cristi-galliEucalyptus, Eucalyptus spp.
* Flowering Crab, Malus spp.Hawthorn, Crataegus spp.
Horse Chestnut, Aesculus glabraLocust, Robinia spp.
Orange Tree, Citrus spp.Palo Verde, Cercidium microphyllum
Poinciana, Caesalpinia spp.Red Buckeye, Aesculus carnea
Royal Poinciana, Delonix regiaSiberian Pea Tree, Caragana arborescens
Silk Oak, Grevillea robustaSilk Tree, Albizzia julibrissin
Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glaucaTulip Poplar, Liriodendron tulipfera

References

  1. Weir, R.D. 1989. Birds of the Kingston Region. Kingston: Quarry Press Inc. 608pp.
  2. Stokes, D. and L. Stokes. 1989. The Hummingbird Book. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 89pp.
  3. Arbuckle, N. and C. Crocker (eds.). 1991. How to Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies. California: Ortho Books. 112 pp.

Other Web Pages on Hummingbirds: