Hummingbirds
by: Christy Lewis

What could make a more enchanting addition to your garden than the dancing visit of a hummingbird? These living objects of 'garden art' add movement, life, and color to our summer garden landscapes. The tiny birds will delight and excite the 'little people' of your household--and perhaps a few of the 'big people', too!

Here in the eastern United States, we are visited by only one species of hummingbird, the Ruby-throated  Hummingbird. But what a beautiful little jewel it is! Males and females are iridescent green above, and white below. The male is characterized by its bright ruby-red throat. The tiny birds are about three and one-half inches long.

Hummingbird flowers are characterized by several specialized traits. They must be rich in nectar, which fuels the birds' high metabolisms. Hummingbirds must feed often, and will visit hundreds of flowers each day to gather the
necessary nectar. Tubular-shaped flowers, like salvias, are easily accessed by the hummingbird's long, thin beak. And the hummer's ability to hover makes it especially adept at extracting nectar from pendant, or hanging, flowers like those of the fuchsia. Fragrance is not a factor in attracting hummingbirds.

In addition, the typical hummingbird plant produces multiple flowers in open clusters, so that the bird may sip from many flowers at one stop. This helps to conserve its precious energy. The flowers should be on the outside of the plant and away from foliage, so that the hummer may feed without hitting its constantly whirring wings.

Hummingbirds are highly attracted to the color red. All shades of red, from pink to orange, will draw hummingbirds, although the brighter colors will work best. And once the hummingbird has been attracted to your garden, it will utilize nectar flowers of other colors, including blues and whites, so you are not relegated to having an all-red garden.

Although hummingbirds appear to be continually active, they actually spend much of the day perching quietly near their nectar sources. It is important to provide shrubs, trees and vines so they may find sheltered spots for perching and nesting. Many plants can provide both shelter and flowers for nectar. Some good ones are weigela (Weigela), beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans).

When designing your garden for hummingbirds, however, do not fill the area with too many trees and shrubs. Leave plenty of open space for the bird to fly freely from its perch and from one nectar source to another. A good rule of thumb is to have one-third of the area wooded and shady, and two-thirds open and sunny. Provide adequate space around plantings for hummingbirds to hover and maneuver. Island beds work well, as they can be approached from all sides.

Containers are a great way to provide flowers for attracting hummingbirds. Window boxes and hanging baskets are especially suitable, as these containers raise plants up off the ground and allow the bird to hover around the blossoms. Good plant choices for containers include nasturtiums, impatiens, petunias, fuchsia, and begonias.
Containers on a patio or deck are a good way to get an up-close look at hummingbirds. These bold little birds will not hesitate to visit a promising nectar site, no matter how close to human structures.

Here is a selection of reliable and hardy hummingbird plants, all tried-and-true performers at Olbrich Gardens:

Annuals
Fuchsia (Fuchsia sp.)
Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens)
Salvia (Salvia coccinea)
Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Petunia (Petunia sp.)
Begonia (Begonia sp.)
Annual Phlox (Phlox drummondii)
Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
Verbena (Verbena sp.)
Four O'Clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)
Cleome (Cleome hassleriana)
Canna (Canna sp.)

Perennials
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Beebalm (Monarda didyma)
Coralbells (Heuchera sanguinea)
Aquilegia (Aquilegia sp.)
Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolia)
Smooth Phlox (Phlox glaberrima)
Texas Plume (Ipomopsis rubra)
Maltese Cross (Lychnis chalcedonica)
Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua)
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Beardtongue (Penstemon sp.)
Blazing Star (Liatris sp.)
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis and Dicentra formosa)
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea)
Lupine (Lupinus sp.)

Shrubs
Weigela (Weigela sp.)
Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles japonica)

Vines
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera japonica or Lonicera sempervirens)
Scarlet Climber Morning Glory (Ipomoea coccinea or Ipomoea multifida)