Planting for Feeding

March 31st, 2006

Feeders, 

We had a warm spring day in Kentucky today, and the rain came as well. It’s definitely time to get the weeds out of the flower beds, get the mulch down, and do any planting that we plan on getting done. Should be a good weekend for it.

According to various migration maps, the hummingbirds are crossing the southern border of Kentucky right about now. So I’m revisiting some of my former research on plants that attract hummingbirds, and I have a short list of some hummer favorites here.

Trees and Shrubs: Red Buckeye; Turk’s Cap; Butterfly Bush.

Vines: Coral Honeysuckle; Trumpet Vine; Firecracker Vine; Cardinal Climber.

Perennial Flowers: Cardinal Flower; all Salvia species (perennial sages); Little Cigar.

Annual Flowers: Scarlet Sage; Mexican Sunflower; Shrimp Plant; Fire Spike; Impatients; Fuchsia; Jacobiana; Petunia; Four-O-Clocks.

That’s certainly not a complete list, but these appear to be pretty dependable as hummingbirds’ favorite sources of natural nectar. So, in addition to hanging a feeder or two, trying some of these plants will likely earn some entertaining visits as well as gratitude from the hummingbirds this summer.

Happy Feeding!

Chris

P.S. Have some favorite hummingbird plants? Let us know. And if you do, please state where you live, and feel free to pass along any helpful planting instructions. Thanks!

Entry Filed under: Hummingbird News