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Attracting Hummingbirds to a Garden: Plants and Flowers for Hummingbird Nesting and Feeding

© Naomi Mathews

Hummingbird nests can be very difficult to spot. They are minuscule and well-camouflaged from predators or other intruders. The female alone does all of the nest building and rears her hatchlings.

A hummingbird's nest consists of small pieces of soft plant fibers, spider silk, some fluffy plant down for lining, and small bits of lichen or moss for exterior camouflage.

Providing Hummingbird Nesting Materials

Gardeners can help provide the essentials that hummingbirds need to build their nests. A few simple things can easily be incorporated into most any back yard garden or landscape plan.

Since hummingbirds prefer to build their nests from 5 to 15 feet above the ground, gardeners will want to plant shrubs or trees that will meet those heights at maturity. Selecting ornamental trees such as the Tulip Poplar, Flowering Crab, Horse Chestnut, or other flowering trees will meet these height requirements, and their blossoms will provide nectar for the hummingbirds and their hatchlings.

Female hummers also need protein and other nutrients to meet the nutritional needs of their fast-growing hatchlings. Protein and other nutrients can be obtained by eating many hundreds of small soft insects such as mosquitoes, aphids, ants, and spiders that are often found in ornamental trees.

Feeding Hummingbirds - Which Flowers to Plant

Flowering shrubs are a valuable source of nectar and protein for the female hummingbird to feed her young. Planting shrubs such as hibiscus, currants, weigela, or buddleia (butterfly bush) will attract many hummers, both male and female. They will also be a great food source for the hatchlings after they've left the nest.

In order for hummingbirds to feed off them, flower blossoms be tubular-shaped to accommodate their long, needle-like beaks. Some great flowers and flowering vines that meet this requirement include Morning Glory, Scarlet Runner Bean, Columbine, Trumpet Vine, Fuschia, Bee Balm, Bleeding Heart, Honeysuckle, Virginia Creeper, and Salvia. Remember - the hummingbird's favorite color is red!

Plant these flowers close to the hummingbird nest. If the femiale doesn't have to seek far and wide for nectar or insects, she'll be much happier. You can always place a hummingbird feeder in your yard as an additional food source.

Hummingbird Links

• Great photographs and articles about Ruby throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris).
• Some fabulous hummer photos and valuable information.
• Marvelous hummingbird photos.
• Vsit the Hummer Bird Study Group, Inc. for more info and photos.