How to Attract Hummingbirds to your Garden

We believe every garden is better with a few hummingbirds zipping through! These energetic little birds aren’t just beautiful—they’re also important pollinators for many plants.

Whether you’re just starting your garden or looking to add a few more blooms, attracting hummingbirds is a rewarding way to bring even more life and color to your outdoor space. Let’s dive into the plants, tips, and fun facts that will help you welcome hummingbirds back to your garden year after year.

Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to brightly colored, tubular flowers rich in nectar. To keep them coming back all season long, aim for continuous blooms from spring through fall using a mix of bulbs, annuals, perennials, and vines.

Bulbs:

• Crocosmia

• Gladiolus 

• Tuberous Begonia

• Dahlia

• Canna

  
  

Annuals:

• Petunias

• Zinnias

• Pineapple Sage

• Red Salvia

• Snapdragons

• Fuchsia

• Geraniums

• Impatients

  
  

Perennials:

• Columbine

• Bee Balm (Monarda) 

• Penstemon

• Lupine 

• Phlox

• Lilly

• Rose Meadow

• Foxglove

• Hosta

  
  

Vines:

• Trumpet Vine 

• Honeysuckle (Lonicera) 

• Clematis 

• Morning Glory

• Wisteria

  
  

Looking for these plants? We carry many hummingbird-friendly options right here at Good News Gardening. Stop by and let us help you build a pollinator-friendly garden tailored to our Hood River climate.

In addition to planting flowers, adding a hummingbird feeder is a great way to attract even more of these tiny visitors to your garden. The perfect nectar recipe is simple: mix 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. (No need to add red dye—your flowers and feeder will do the attracting naturally!)

For easy feeding, we also carry instant hummingbird nectar here at Good News Gardening—just mix with water and fill your feeder. Stop by to grab everything you need to keep your hummingbirds happy and healthy all season long!

Fun Hummingbird Facts

• Hummingbirds beat their wings up to 80 times per second.

• They can fly in every direction—including backward and upside down.

• Despite their tiny size, they migrate thousands of miles each year.

• Their favorite color? Red! (Which is why so many hummingbird feeders and flowers come in red hues.)

• A hummingbird’s heart can beat over 1,200 times per minute during flight!

They'll Be Back - Year after Year!

One of the most magical things about hummingbirds? They remember where the good nectar is. Hummingbirds often return to the same gardens year after year, especially if they find a consistent food source, water, and shelter. Once you’ve rolled out the welcome mat, you may find you have some repeat visitors!

Keep your garden hummingbird-friendly by:

• Providing fresh water in a shallow birdbath or mister

• Offering shade and perches with nearby trees or shrubs

• Skipping pesticides (they harm the insects hummingbirds also rely on for protein)

There’s something magical about spotting a hummingbird flit through the garden—tiny, fast, and full of energy. At Good News Gardening, we love helping gardeners create spaces that invite these little pollinators back year after year.

Come See Us at Good News Gardening!

We’re stocked with hummingbird-friendly plants and always happy to help you plan your garden with our local Hood River conditions in mind. Whether you’re starting fresh or adding a few special blooms to your beds, we’ve got everything you need to make your garden a hummingbird favorite.

🪴 Visit us 7 days a week in Hood River. Let’s get your garden buzzing (or humming)!