How to Create a Hummingbird Garden

Critters

How to create a hummingbird garden

How to Create a Hummingbird Garden Outside Your Window

Imagine sipping your morning coffee while tiny, iridescent hummingbirds flit just outside your window, their wings a blur as they hover and sip nectar from vibrant blooms. Creating a hummingbird garden outside your window is not only a joy to watch but also a meaningful way to support these remarkable pollinators. Here’s how to design a space that will attract hummingbirds and keep them coming back.

I have dedicated a small 3×3 box to a hummingbird garden right outside my living room window. Every year I grow morning glories up two small metal towers and hang a feeder off a Shepherd hook. My solution is 1 part sugar to 3 parts water. Not an expensive hummingbird solution from the store.store.

The base of the garden contains Creeping Phlox and Day Lilies, to cover up and add some interest where the morning glories tend to loose leaves. I am looking into finding some nice medium sized perennials that hummingbirds like and move the Phlox/Day Lilies to another location.

Right now my morning glories are just beginning to sprout, but this is last years photo of it dangling off the big tower.

hummingbirdblooms | Live Love Garden

Choose the Right Location

The closer your garden is to a window, the better you’ll be able to enjoy the view. A window box, hanging planters, or a garden bed right outside can be ideal. If possible, choose a spot with some shelter from strong winds, and place feeders or flowers in a way that prevents window collisions—using decals or keeping feeders slightly off to the side can help.

hummingbird1 1 | Live Love Garden

Select Hummingbird-Friendly Plants

Hummingbirds are drawn to brightly colored, tubular flowers rich in nectar. Opt for native plants whenever possible, as they are well-suited to your local climate and support a broader ecosystem. Here are some top choices:

  • Perennials: Bee balm, salvia, columbine, cardinal flower

  • Annuals: Petunias, fuchsias, nasturtiums, zinnias

  • Vines: Trumpet creeper, honeysuckle, crossvine

  • Shrubs & Trees: Butterfly bush, red buckeye, flowering quince

Add a Hummingbird Feeder

Supplement natural nectar sources with a simple homemade nectar solution: mix four parts water with one part white sugar (no red dye needed). Place the feeder near flowers but away from direct sun to prevent spoilage. Clean it every few days to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.

Provide Water Sources

Hummingbirds love to bathe, often preferring mist or shallow water. A small, bubbling fountain, a fine-mist spray attachment, or a shallow dish with pebbles can entice them to stay longer.

Create Perching and Shelter Areas

Hummingbirds need places to rest between feedings. Small branches, trellises, or even ornamental wire sculptures near flowers provide ideal perching spots. Dense shrubs or trees nearby can also offer protection from predators and nesting sites.

aboutsm | Live Love Garden

​Avoid Pesticides

Hummingbirds rely on insects for protein, especially when raising young. Avoid using chemical pesticides, which can harm both insects and the birds that feed on them. Instead, encourage a natural balance by planting a diverse garden that attracts beneficial insects.

Enjoy and Observe

Once your hummingbird garden is established, take time to enjoy these fascinating creatures. Keep a journal of different species you see, notice their favorite plants, and watch for territorial interactions. The more you observe, the more you’ll appreciate their tiny but mighty presence.

With thoughtful planning, your window-side hummingbird garden can become a vibrant haven, bringing joy and nature’s beauty right to your doorstep.

Submit a Comment