Just like butterflies, hummingbirds receive most of their energy requirements from the sweet nectar found in the blossoms of flowers. Would you believe that a single hummer needs the nectar of approximately 1,000 blossoms each and every day to sustain life? They also ingest small spiders or soft insects they spy on the leaves of plants, providing them with protein. Of course another source of nectar found by hummingbirds is in feeders containing a simple sugar water mixture. A word of caution is in order if you use feeders as a nectar supplement during those times when your garden may not be blooming profusely. Nectar feeders need to be cleaned at least every 3rd day during the hot summer months. Otherwise, the sugar will ferment and could cause deadly salmonella poisoning to hummingbirds. This is the best recipe for making your own nectar, it is not necessary to buy it. 1 Part Sugar,  4 Parts Water , boil for 2 minutes and refrigerate.  

Never use honey or artificial sweeteners! Honey ferments easily, and can cause sores in a hummers mouth. Artificial sweeteners have no food value. DO NOT use red food coloring in your solution, as this could be harmful to your hummers. No testing has been done on the effects dye has on birds. Most feeders have red on them and that should be enough.

Hummingbird fans will be surprised to know there are over 150 varieties of flowering plants in North America that attract hummingbirds. It is essential to keep in mind that hummers prefer tubular flowers that allow their long, needle-like bills to fit inside so their tongues can easily lap up the sweet nectar found deep inside the flower tubes.

If you are creating your hummingbird garden from scratch, you should consider planting a mix of annuals and perennials the first year. You can then add appropriate shrubs, vines, or trees in subsequent years. Hummingbirds are very adept at sipping nectar from any or all these plant groups. Since perennials take several years to mature, plant an abundant variety of your favorite annuals as fillers the first year. With such a large assortment to choose from, you won?t have a problem choosing those plants that will thrive the best in your particular zone.

Hummingbirds need room to accommodate their wings as they whir about the blossoms. Select a variety of levels of flowers, trees, or shrubs, from low to medium to tall in height. Male hummers like to have tall trees to perch on, as they use them to watch for predators while the females are feeding.

Hummingbirds don?t depend upon scent to locate nectar, but are attracted the most often to brightly colored flowers, especially red. This is why hummingbird feeders are primarily red. As with butterfly gardening, DON?T use pesticides on your plants! They can be deadly to hummingbirds if sprayed directly onto your flowers. Instead, select organic pest control substances to help control unwanted garden pests. There are many of these products available at your favorite garden store to choose from.

A variety of annuals, perennials, and/or bulbs are listed below that are high in nectar, and also have tubular shaped blossoms hummingbirds prefer. Many of these I have their seeds for sale in my ebay store as well as a mixture called Hummingbird Butterfly Mix.

Flowers, Shrubs & Vines That Will Attract Hummingbirds    

Flowers and Vines:

Cardinal Flower

Lantana

Columbine

Scarlet Sage

Impatiens

Foxglove

Iris

Coral-Bells

Hollyhock

Penstemen

Petunia

Flowering Tobacco

Geranium

Begonia

Honeysuckle

Morning Glory

Trumpet Creeper

Shrubs:

Azaleas

Butterfly Bush

Flowering Quince

Honeysuckle

Weigela