Have you ever hosted any Hummingbirds in your schoolyard garden? If so, you certainly noticed their fast and almost constant motion. Hummingbirds need plenty of nectar to supply the energy consumed by their active lifestyles. Nectar found in flowers is quite similar to the sugar water you put in your feeders, but Mother Nature does the maintenance and clean-up. A combination of nectar feeders and selected flowering plants will make a haven for Hummingbirds.

If you are thinking about adding garden plants to attract hummingbirds, there are many choices. Hummingbird lovers might have already observed that these birds are attracted to bright red nectar flowers such as Bee Balm—Monarda didyma, Cardinal Flower—Lobelia cardinalis, and Coral Honeysuckle—Lonicera sempervirens.

While flower color is important to Hummingbirds, they also are attracted by suitable flower shapes. They prefer spikes of tubular flowers that fit their unique tongues and beaks. Then, they look for easy-to-reach stamens that extend outward beyond the flower opening. The birds also need space around the flower where leaves and branches do not interfere with feeding. Think of adding Delphiniums or Blue Lobelia—Lobelia siphilitica to your garden for variety.

For those who cannot resist the traditional color groupings, there are also two outstanding white perennial flowers that Hummingbirds will enjoy. In order to complete the patriotic red, white, and blue theme, consider adding Turtlehead—Chelone glabra or Foxglove—Penstemon digitalis.

As an added benefit, many of the plants that attract hummingbirds, red, white, or blue, do double duty in also attracting butterflies to your garden. It is fun and informative to keep a log of all the new species of birds and butterflies that arrive as you add beneficial plants to your garden.