I don't know about you, but I have seen more hummingbirds in Squamish this year than I can ever remember. I see them in the day, I see them drifting around my deck at night while we are out enjoying dinner, and they never cease to amaze. I don't own a feeder, but do have lots of plants and shrubs that these tiny treasures love to visit.
For those of us who enjoy gardening and bird watching, there is a large selection of plants and shrubs that you can use to attract hummingbirds.
It is well-known lore that hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers, but fear not, you don't need to create an entire bed based on the colour red to encourage the birds to visit. Some excellent selections include flowers in purple, white, orange, pink and blue. They are all rich in nectar, which will draw the hummingbirds into your garden in droves.
A great choice for our acidic Squamish soil is Monarda, or bee balm. The hardy perennial is a member of the mint family which blooms in red, or purple. Red columbine (aquilegia canadense) is another native perennial that provides early blooms for the birds as they return from their winter home.
If you are looking for something tall that will grace the back of the perennial border and provide hummingbirds with food, try delphinium or hollyhock plants. Hollyhocks (alcea) can reach sky-high heights. Technically a biennial, hollyhocks will re-seed easily and provide you with a continuous show. Delphiniums are popular for their unusual blue flower, and their tall stature draws in the hummingbirds each summer.
If you are looking for an evergreen shrub that will bring out the hummingbirds, try rhododendron catawbiense. Blooms can be white, pale purple, rose or red. These rhodos will reach a height of six to eight feet and a spread of four to eight feet. An old-fashioned favourite shrub is the Rose of Sharon (hibiscus syriacus), and it blooms late in the season when other shrubs and flowers had faded away. Hummingbirds love these shrubs and they are available in many different colours.
Hummingbirds love vines and climbers as well. The beautiful trumpet vine (campsis radicans) produces masses of orange/reddish-orange flowers in the summer months. This vine will need a trellis or arbor to climb freely up and around.
Honeysuckle (lonicerasempervirens) are another hummingbird favourite.Aside from attracting the birds, this lovely climber usually has a wonderful scent - bonus!
Happy birding.
