For most wildlife habitats,attracting hummingbirds is an immediate goal. Watching these tiny feathered jewels flit fromf lower to flower is both entertaining and educational. While the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only nesting hummingbird east of the Mississippi, there are other species that visit Georgia during the winter. Meeting the nectar demands of these birds requires many flowers that come into bloom at different times of the year, especially from early spring until late fall.

Flowers that attract hummingbirds are especially adapted to attract them for pollination. They are usually red, tubular,rich in nectar, and positioned where hummingbirds can easily feed. Any bright, gaudy garden should attract hummingbirds. Purchase seeds or young plants from a garden center or mail-order nursery. The plants listed here should grow well in Georgia climate throughout mostof the year.  In a perennial garden, these flowers will require very little maintenance for many seasons.

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Bee-balm (Monarda didyma)
Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha)
Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Pineapple Sage (Salvia rutilans)
Red Salvia (Salvia splendens)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)
Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)
Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)
Trumpet Vine(Campsis radicans)
Morning Glory (Ipomoea pandurata)
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Coralbells(Heuchera sanguinea)
Phlox (Phlox spp.)
Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.)
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)
Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis spp.)
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Salvia species
Bluebells (Adenophura confusa)
Phlox species

Even when a hummingbird garden is in full bloom, many habitats offer sugar water in a feeder. Artificial feeders can supply unlimited sugar water during the winter and, at the same time,bring hummingbirds into easy viewf rom either a kitchen or a classroom window. The birds will feed from many styles of feeders and will learn that they are a reliable source of food. In a Georgia wildlife habitat, a feeder can be left out all year. For attracting only Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a feeder should be put out by April 1 and taken down when the last bird is seen, usually around mid-October. Leaving your feeder out will not encourage hummingbirds to remain behind and not migrate.  However, it will provide food for over-wintering hummingbirds of various species.

Mix four parts ofwater to one part sugar, bring it to a boil, fill the feeder, and store the remaining sugar water in the refrigator.  Do not add red food coloring to thesolution; the feeder should have enough color. If hummingbirds don’t notice the feeder at first, hang it with the garden flowers.

Feeders should be cleaned every three to five days especially if it is hot outside. Fermented sugar water is harmful to the birds. Simply rinse the feeder in hot water.  If a dark fungus begins to appear in the water or on the feeder, clean the feeder with a solution of vinegar and water, being sure to rinse it thoroughly before adding more sugar water