What Are Feeds & Backyard Flowers for Hummingbirds?

• Keeping hummingbirds fedhummingbird image by maiky911 from Fotolia.com
  
  For anyone with a fondness for birds, attracting hummingbirds to the backyard can provide a lot of pleasure. Although they require special attention, by providing the right feed and planting the right flowers, you can ensure that these quick-winged creatures will make their way over for a visit.
  
  

Nectar Feed

• The only type of "feed" that one can provide a hummingbird is a nectar solution. They also eat small bugs, but there is no "bug feed" for hummingbirds, just nectar. The nectar solution can either be purchased or made at home. The homemade solution consists of water and sugar, but knowledge of proper preparation is important to avoid harming the birds. The nectar should be placed in a feeder specifically designed to hold liquid and not seed. It's also best to keep the feeder away from direct sunlight so that the nectar stays fresh as long as possible.
  
  

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera Sempervirens)

• The coral honeysuckle, also known as the trumpet honeysuckle because of its long, megaphone-like shape, is a hummingbird favorite. These flowers, which sprout from a vine, not only give off a strong, sweet-smelling odor but contain plenty of edible nectar for the birds to feast on. The coral honeysuckle blooms in the spring and lasts throughout the summer. It is particularly good for attracting ruby-throated hummingbirds.
  
  

Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)

• With a moniker like hummingbird mint, it's no surprise that this flower is known for attracting this type of bird. The flower thrives in the dry climate of the Southwest region of the United States. It can be cultivated in most garden soils in this area. Hummingbird mint, which comes in shades of purple and orange, has a long tubular shape that is sized for a hummingbird's beak. Like the coral honeysuckle, this flower has a powerful, sweet aroma and contains a sugary nectar that hummingbirds crave.
  
  

Petunias

• Petunias are a popular variety of flora. Because of their aesthetically appealing pink and purple blossoms, they are grown in gardens all over the United States. It also happens that hummingbirds are highly attracted to the syrupy nectar that these flowers produce. Unlike many hummingbird favorites, the petunia does not have a tubular shape but an open blossom. Since these flowers originated in South America, they can withstand heavy heat and are good summertime plants for most gardens.
  
  

Scarlet Sage (Salvia Splendens)

• Scarlet sage flowers have bright red blossoms that grow along the plant stems that can be as tall as 3 feet. Salvia plants are technically part of the mint family, which explains their sweet aroma. Hummingbirds are attracted both by the nectar supply at the core of the blossoms and by the flower's bright red colors. Scarlet sage can be easily grown in the summer under light shade as long as the soil does not get too dry.