September 3rd is National Hummingbird Day! Read on to discover some simple ways that you can attract these tiny pollinators into your yard.
Fun Facts
Hummingbirds are remarkable creatures found only in North and South America. They’re only a few inches long, but hummingbirds can flap their wings so fast they create an actual humming sound which is how they got their name. They are the only known birds that can fly both forwards and backwards. There are currently more than 300 species of hummingbirds and of these, only 8 species are living in California. While hummingbirds can be aggressive and quite territorial, as many as 25 different species can survive and co-exist in the same area.
Although their brains are about the size of a grain of rice, they have superb memories. They remember every flower and feeder they visit, as well as how long it takes for a certain flower to refill. They feed on the nectar of flowering plants,
especially deep throated flowers. Hummingbirds use so much energy for flying,
they need to rest every 15 minutes.
Attracting Hummingbirds
So how can you invite these delightful pollinators into your garden? Flowers, perches, insects, and water are the key ingredients to a healthy yard that will attract these amazing jewels.
·
Provide a Water Source –
they love to bathe as well as drink! A fountain or misting device is ideal.
·
Insects – Eliminate
pesticides. Spiders and insects are an important part of their diet.
·
Perches – Provide your
hummingbird friends a safe place to rest and sleep hidden from view and
buffered from any cooler overnight temperatures.
·
Supply a feeder by
mixing 4 parts hot water to 1 part refined sugar.
· Plant native – Sages, Trumpet
Honeysuckle, Cardinal Flower, all red and orange tubular flowers, in
addition to other nectar rich flowers.
Hummingbird Friendly Plants
Photo Credit: Andy Morffew
Below is a list of some popular hummingbird friendly plants that can be found at Topanga Nursery:
· Agapanthus – Lily of the Nile
· Agave
· Anisacanthus wrightii – Texas Firecracker
· Asclepias – Milkweed
· Azalia
· Buddleia – Butterfly Bush
· Canna Lily
· Gladiolus
· Hydrangea
· Hibiscus
· Lantana
· Lobelia
· Lonicera – Honeysuckle
· Milkweed
· Monkey Flower
· Opuntia – Prickly Pear
· Plumbego
· Rhododendron – Rosemary
· Salvia
· Tacoma
· Verbena