This Month's How-To:
Hummingbird Garden

It has been said that, in any given year, not a square meter in the U.S. or southern Canada goes unchecked by hummingbirds during their relentless quest for food.   If you are interested in attracting, watching, and feeding the illusive hummingbird, we have several helpful tips that you should keep in mind when planning your hummingbird garden.  

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is by far the most common species that breeds in the eastern half of North America.  As hummingbirds must feed 3-5 times per hour and often become reliant on one garden, it is important that you plan your garden accordingly by selecting plants that bloom at successive dates throughout the season.  A sample bloom schedule can be found is listed below:

PS = Part shade; Sun = Full sun

Bloom timeframes: 1 (early spring) to 5 (fall)

Common Name	Type	Shade	Bloom Time
Columbine	Per.	Sun	1-2
Foxglove	Per.	PS	3-4
Lupine	Per.	PS	3-4
Coral Bells	Per.	Sun	3-5
Verbena	Per.	Sun	3-5
Cosmos	Per.	Sun	4
Delphinium	Per.	PS	4
Red Hot Poker	Per.	Sun	4
Bee Balm	Per.	PS	4-5
Cardinal Flower	Per.	PS	4-5
Honeysuckle	Vine	PS	3-5
Trumpet Vine	Vine	Sun	4-5
Azalea	Shrub		1-2
Lilac	Shrub		1-2
Hibiscus	Shrub		3
Butterfly Bush	Shrub		3-5

Aside from growing nectar rich flowers, you should try to make your garden a suitable hummingbird habitat by creating areas of shade and places to perch.  

Hummingbirds are most comfortable in areas with plants of differing heights, so raised planters and trellised vines are very attractive to them.  While they get their water from collected drops found on leaves or in flowers, hummingbirds have also been known to visit shallow bird baths.

By following these guidelines you will certainly see some new fluttering friends in your garden.

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