Hummingbird's Bliss

Gardening with the intent to attract birds to your garden is sometimes referred to as ‘birdscaping,' a funny word that actually does make a little sense. Planning your garden for luring birds isn’t that hard to do, a little bit of research and you’re on your way. It will come in handy to know what types of birds are native to your area, and which ones winter there or come back in the spring. Then you’ll better know what types of plants to look for.

As always, light exposure is something you must take into consideration. Shady areas make good homes for Ajuga. Ajuga is a ground cover with dark green and dark purple leaves that makes small purple flowers. It will spice up a dull space in no time, and Hummingbirds love it. Certain types of Azaleas prefer the shade, though if you have small children, you may not want Azaleas because they are poisonous to humans. The Cherry Laurel is another plant that likes the shade and will attract a few different types of birds. Bee Balm is a full sun perennial plant that attracts hummingbirds. Delphiniums and Foxglove are also sun-loving.

When you’re looking to attract Hummingbirds, it may be worth it to put in a little more effort to create a living environment for them. They need some shade to build their nest, and they need fresh water available to them for drinking. Another thing to consider is that they may become dependent on your garden as a food supply, so place a few feeders in your garden for the times when there are no blossoms to feed from.