Gardening for Hummingbirds

One of the most common questions relating to hummingbird feeding is "I put up a feeder but I don't have any hummingbirds, how come?" While this question may have a very convoluted series of factors contributing to it, the question itself reflects a major error in our thinking about how to attract wildlife in general and hummingbirds in particular.

Penstemon and Murrayanus Plants

While we can attract some seed feeding birds just by putting up a feeder almost anywhere, these birds will often be limited to common birds; various grackles, doves, House Sparrows, etc. unless there is some other, natural features to accompany the feeder. Hummingbirds, like every other species, require not only food but also shelter and water if they are going to be effectively maintained within our gardens.