Gardening for Hummingbirds
By: Karen Grinstead
Among the world's tiniest birds, with the fastest wing beat and the ability to fly backwards, hummingbirds are creatures of endless fascination. These feisty birds get their name from the humming sound made by their wings, which can move up to 70 times a second. Those of us in the Southeast are familiar with the four-inch long, Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Weighing less than a handful of change, they are the only ones who live east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida during the summertime.
Hummingbirds are easy to attract to your garden, especially if they become accustomed to a guaranteed food source year after year. They tend to gravitate toward tubular flowers, especially in shades of red.
A good hummingbird vine is the native trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), which covers itself in yellow-throated, orange-red flowers throughout the summer.
In a sunny garden, plant perennial Salvia which can grow up to five feet high depending on the species. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and native columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) grow well in moister, shadier conditions. Cardinal flower puts up striking, two-foot red spikes in August while columbine sports red and yellow flowers that open in April, often coinciding with the arrival of the Ruby-throated hummingbirds. For the herb garden, the red flowers of bee balm (Monarda didyma) are a certain draw for hummers. This plant likes full sun, where it grows about three feet high and wide.
In spring, try planting annuals like Cleome, geranium and morning glory. Hummingbirds are also drawn to flowering shrubs like azalea, flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa), Weigela, and Spiraea.
DSBG has designated August as Hummingbird Month, since late summer is a great time of year to watch these birds as they fuel up for their southward migration. Be sure to schedule a visit to see the hummingbirds before they depart for warmer temperatures farther south.
Tips for Successful Hummingbird Feeding:
- Clean and refill feeders at least bi-weekly in hot weather.
- A solution of chlorine bleach may be used to kill mold, but rinse well.
- In the Carolinas, put feeders up by the last week of March. Take most down by early October, leaving one feeder up until Thanksgiving for stray western hummingbirds.
- Don't worry if you miss a week; hummingbirds know where to find other food sources.
- Hang feeders in the shade if possible.
- Place feeders in full view of a window, so you can enjoy watching them.
- Arrange feeders so birds at one feeder can't see the others.
- Several 16-ounce feeders are better than one or two large ones.
- Do not use insect spray or pesticides near feeders.
- A shallow saucer of sugar water in the sun lures insects away.
Hummingbird Recipe:
It's unnecessary to buy prepared mixes with vitamins and additives. Instead, follow this simple recipe:
- Pour four cups tap water into large pot or pan.
- Stir in one cup table sugar.
- Cover pan and bring to a rolling boil for one minute.
- Allow mix to cool before pouring into a clean feeder.
- Food coloring is unnecessary.
- Store excess mix in fridge for up to two weeks.
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