There is more to having a garden than looking at flowers.  Many people create gardens that will attract different species of wildlife to the area.  Watching these critters can provide hours of enjoyment for all ages.  One unique habitat you can develop is a hummingbird garden.  By creating a garden that is hummingbird friendly, you may just attract these tiny darting birds to move into your neighborhood.

While many people have hummingbird feeders for this purpose, taking this a step further can transform your yard into a hummingbird paradise.  The first elements needed for a hummingbird garden are flowers that provide nectar.  Hummingbirds tend to be picky, choosing plants with long, tubular red flowers; the red is easily picked up by their eyes, but is not distinctive to insects and other nectar eaters.  The tubular shape makes it difficult for bees to compete with the hummingbird for nectar.

Hummingbirds will try other types of flowers, however, especially if they have found the general area to be a good food source.  To ensure that flowers are available throughout the growing season you should plant a wide variety.  Some hummingbird favorites include:

• Anise Hyssop
• Bee Balm
• Butterfly Bush
• Coral Bell
• Foxglove Columbine
• Honeysuckle
• Lambs Ear
• Lobelia
• Lupine
• Penstemon
• Obedient Plant
• Red Hot Pokers
• Rosemary
• Salvia
• Trumpet Vine

You can also encourage hummingbirds by providing them with shrubs and trees suitable for nesting and perching.  One particular tree favored by hummingbirds is the weeping willow, because it provides nectar from its flowers as well as shade and places to perch.  Willow flowers also provide good nest building materials.  Although it is not necessary to have every element listed here, if you are able to gather as many materials as possible you will increase your chances of attracting hummingbirds to your garden.