CREATE A HANGING BASKET TO ATTRACT HUMMING BIRDS
Spring, heralds the return of hummingbirds for many parts of the USA and Canada.
They migrate thousands of miles each year navigating over land and water returning to the same places time and time again.
Hummingbirds consume half their weight in nectar each day – so why not help our little feathered friends and create a hanging basket full of flowers they love.
FAVORITE FLOWERS FOR HANGING BASKETS & PLANTERS
Humming birds usually feed while hovering mid air around the basket, so they prefer flowers that either protrude or dangle which are easy for them to reach, while providing them with ample room for their rapidly beating wings. The humming sound humming birds make is due to their rapidly beating wings - 75 beats per second
Our top pick for flowers to attracting humming birds to your hanging baskets are the dainty small free flowering petunia’s – they gracefully hang and are easy for the birds to navigate around. We also recommend fuchsias, impatiens, geraniums, nasturtiums, the shrimp plant, penstemons, salvia and lantana.
For cooler climates we recommend the bright red Cardinal flowers. Cardinal flowers thrive in areas where other perennials would rot and they add bold color to shady spots. They also have a long bloom time, which is a huge bonus in attracting hummingbirds.
FLOWERS OVER FRAGRANCE
Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers by color, not fragrance.
Red is a hummingbird's all time favorite color followed closely by orange. They zero in on bright reds and oranges, especially those displayed against darker backgrounds say of a house or lawn.
Hummingbirds will however feed from any colored flower, so long as it produces nectar.
Select plants with lots of blooms and a good blooming season.
The more flowers – the greater the chance of attracting the hummingbirds.
POSITIONING YOUR HANGING BASKET OR PLANTER
Position your hanging baskets at eye level so you can watch the birds at close range. They bold almost cheeky behavior means you can even sit close by and watch them dart and hover around your baskets.
Hang your basket near a an area you enjoy and can easily observe, be it close to a bench, on close to your favorite chair on your patio or porch.
HUMMING BIRDS WILL TEND TO RETURN YEAR AFTER YEAR
As Hummingbirds are creatures of habit they will remember the location of a feeder, even after being away over the winter! Be sure to hang your baskets and feeders in the same place every year.
DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES
Hummingbirds are elusive creatures, and no matter how much we prepare, they may not appear. There is a simple solution - in addition to hanging baskets full of nectar rich baskets - hang a humming bird feeder also.
Garden Squirrel.com