The ruby-throated hummingbirds have made their way back to Minnesota and Wisconsin. These tiny birds are fun to watch if you are lucky enough to see them. Improve your chances by placing hummingbird feeders where you can enjoy the view and add plants to your landscape to provide a nectar source from spring through summer. Red flowers can catch their eye from a distance so seek out red varieties but don’t worry, hummingbirds also readily visit orange, pink, purple and white flowers too. Here is list of some great plants you can add that both you and little hummers will love.
Coral Bells (Heucherra) are an excellent plant for sun to part shade and are much loved for their varied foliage colors. The flowers are not nearly as impressive as the leaves but they are sure a favorite of hummingbirds especially this red flowered variety ‘Ruby Bells’. The plants themselves are relatively small at about 12-18″ so you are sure to have a spot to squeeze a few of these favorites in. Coral bells are also not on the top of the list for deer which is good news in this area!
Bee Balm (Monarda) ‘Jacob Cline’ was discovered in Georgia, with extremely large, bold, bright red flowers atop tall 4′ stems. Bee balm is a sun loving perennial attracting hummingbirds and all sorts of pollinators. These hardy perennials come in a variety of sizes with colors in lavendar, pink and red. (Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries)
Fuschia with their rich colored and uniquely shaped flowers are a favorite of many people and hummingbirds. Fuschia can be found in hanging basket and is also available as a container plant at Sargent’s. If you have morning sun but shade from the heat of the day fuschia can be a hummingbird magnet in your yard.
Salvia is another great annual nectar plant. Shown here is ‘Mojave’ with its beautiful dark red flowers that will bloom even through the heat of summer. Its compact size makes it perfect for containers or adding to your flowerbeds.
Petunias with their colorful, trumpet shaped flowers are almost guaranteed to attract hummingbirds. In fact I have this basket off my deck and it was the place I spotted my first hummingbird of the season. With all the colors available and both upright and trailing varieties you can find a petunia combo that you will enjoy as much as the birds.
Feeders are also a great way to attract birds and get a close up look at hummingbirds and orioles too. Visit our previous posts on Hummingbird Feeders and Attracting Orioles.