Feeders all scrubbed and ready? Then you might want to start planning your garden. And a good place to start would be Backyard Habitat United States Department of Conservation where you will find Steps to Creating a Wildlife Habitat.
With so many plants, so many different regions, and so many varied climates it is hard to say which plants will work best in your area. So let me repeat myself by saying, check with the experts in your area. Below is a list of at least some of them that I have gathered from searching the web, along with areas that seem to be best suited for each:
SOUTHWEST:
- Clematis
- Flowering Quinces
- Red sages
- Butterfly bush
- Honeysuckle
- Mimosa
- Lantanas
- Bee Balms
PACIFIC NORTHWEST:
- Impatiens
- Indian paint brushes
- Phloxes
- Fuschias
SOUTHEAST:
- Trumpet vines
- Flowering quinces
- Mimosa
- Lantanas
- Salvias
- Azaleas
MIDWEST AND NORTHEAST:
- Bee Balms
- Cardinal flowers
- Hollyhocks
- Flowering crabapples
- Impatiens
The Perennials would include:
- Daylilies
- Spider Lilies
- Butterfly bush
- Salvias
- Passionvine
- Firebush
- Honeysuckle
- Lantana
- Hibiscus
- Asters
- Cardinal flower
- Coral bells
- Coneflower
- Allium
- Phlox
- Candytuft
- Wisteria
- Trumpet vine
The Annuals would include:
- Delphiniums
- Foxglove
- Nastursiums
- Snapdragons
- Salvia
- Petunias
- Sunflowers
- Ageratum
- Nicotiana
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
Shrubs provide shelter. My hummingbirds seem to love building nests in my Pampass grass!
Shrubs and Bushes
- Azalea (They love 'em!)
- Pineapple guava
- California privet
- Abelia
Trees
- Mimosa ( Mimosa seems to be a favorite too!)
- Dogwood
The Nectar Recipe: 1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water, stir in the sugar and allow the solution to cool to room temperature and ALWAYS store the unused portion in the refrigerator. AND NEVER USE honey, for although it may seem like such a great source of "natural" sugar, IT IS NOT! It can cause fungi growth and can be extremely toxic to the hummingbirds. I have never tried this personally, but Disney's Family.com suggests adding beet juice to your nectar for color.
Have the hummingbirds arrived? Are you having fun yet?
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