I saw on the migration maps that the hummers are due in my area any time. I'm putting out feeders today. but what natural food paths are they following this far north at this point? I have lots of spring bulbs and bushes blooming, but nothing that I would think of as attracting hummingbirds. What do you hummer enthusiasts grow early in the season that provides for them? I've read many lists of things to grow, and have many of those plants, but they're all mid to late season bloomers.
Early season hummer food
If a plant has nectar for insects, in theory there should be a little bit there for a Hummingbird - right now that is fruit trees and bushes here. Here in Pueblo on the plains of Colorado we have some blue Penstemons that are great for beneficial insects that will be blooming next month - the Hummers use them, too.
We have A LOT of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in the Mountains in Colorado. The first ones arrive when things are just barely starting to green up and nothing is in bloom yet. They seem to hang out in the oak bushes, which are in bud at that time. My theory is that they are eating something from the oak buds - nectar? sap? pollen? tiny insects? I don't know, but I know it isn't flowers - there aren't any at 9000-10000 feet at that time of year.
I couldn't keep the Hummingbirds away from my lantana if I wanted to. I have seen them at the plant every day! They occasionally go to my feeders, but LOVE the lantana.
willowwind,I would also love to know what early blooming native plants the hummers are attracted to.
Native columbine, Aquilegia canadensis, is supposed to be an early attractor but I only see hummers late in the season on the native honeysuckle,Lonicera sempervirens. The Lonicera sempervirens is ready to bloom any day now.
That is very interesting pollengarden, that you see hummers in the oak bushes.
Hi Willowwind, I have had some hummers recently feeding on my coral honeysuckle, Salvia black & blue and Salvia wild thing. They have also been using the feeders. I have heard that Red Buckeye is also blooming now and is supposed to be a good native attractor. I will hopefully have some of that to try by next spring.
Dave
The hummers do love Salvia "Wild Thing" and similar ones - but they are border-line hardy here and have to be replaced every few years. Mine aren't greening up yet - I think this may be one of the years when I have to buy replacements.
Hi, willowwind~~
Here are a few suggestions for moderate climates zones (like the midwest and east coast Zone 6-ish) where ruby-throated HBs arrive in April and May.
For the earliest spring (around April) blooms here In zone 6a (Cincinnati) the hummers seem to like lilacs, buckeyes (especially red buckeyes), red bud trees, reddish/rose hyacinths especially if they are in pots up high so they can see them, eastern red columbine, crab apple trees (they check them out for the insects), flowering quince, weilegia, dark pink azaleas and red rhododendrons...those are a few plants that bloom really early that the HBs check out and nectar from.
Some people will 'over-winter' a red honeysuckle such as "Major Wheeler" in their garage or protected area, and bring them out when it warms up and these will then have a head start and bloom on the early side. HBs like red honeysuckles.
Many people also hang red ribbons or red flags to induce HBfly bys to stop.
The HBs also like trees and plants that attract lots of small insects, since they get much of their nutrition from insects. And don't brush away your spider webs. HBs like to use them to build nests.
Around here the salvias and other hot weather bloomers don't get going until June or so. They make the second phase of nectar plants for us.
Willowwind, Red Buckeye is reported to be an early blooming Hummer favorite. I just bought one. A very attractive plant. You also might try Red Yucca. It is not an early bloomer, but it is hardy and definitely a Hummer favorite. They also preferred giant Blue Salvias, variety didn't matter. Hummers ignored Lantana in my garden, they passed it up for Salvia, Red Yucca, citrus blossoms, and of course, the feeder.
Thanks so much for all the info. I was feeling like I had nothing that would interest hummers at this point, but actually I have more than I thought. In another year I could even start some baskets or planters inside with some of their more preferred flowers just so I could treat them early.
Pollengarden, that is an interesting observation with the oaks. I wonder if it could be insects that they're after. I have oaks here in my yard too so I'll have to watch when the hummers do arrive and see if they spend any time there. We have many of the spring flowering bushes and trees that tabasco mentioned, so I should be OK. I do have red honeysuckle, but it's nowhere near ready to bloom. My feeders are out though, so I'm on the lookout.
Thanks gazergirl, I just missed reading that while I was writing. I don't know of any Red Buckeye near here, but I know our local arboretum had them in their sale last year, so I'll watch for them. That would be a good and easy addition to my yard.
My Aquilegia canadensis is blooming now in zone 6b. I haven't seen any hummers on it yet, but it is in bloom. It actually started blooming about 2 weeks ago.
My yellow-flowered currant is starting to bloom and I am expecting Hummingbirds within the next week or so. They are supposed to like yellow-flowered currant. This is the first year it has put out a lot of blossoms, and they do have a tiny tube in the center. So I guess I'll find out soon.