Hummingbirds are enchanting visitors to Midwest gardens, bringing vibrant life and movement to your outdoor spaces. In Illinois, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is the most common hummingbird species.
Creating a hummingbird-friendly garden in the Midwest requires understanding local native plants and ecosystem needs. At Natural Communities, we believe in the power of native plants to not only attract hummingbirds but to create a healthy, sustainable garden ecosystem. By incorporating the right native plants into your landscape, you can create an irresistible haven for hummingbirds and other pollinators.
1. Native Flowers Hummingbirds Love in Illinois
Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to brightly colored, tubular flowers in red, orange, and pink. These native Illinois plants are guaranteed to draw these remarkable pollinators:
Recommended Native Flowers
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Brilliant red, showy flowers do well in slightly wet soils and rain gardens.
- Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Red and yellow drooping flowers, perfect for woodland edges and a favorite of hummingbirds.
- Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica): Blue tubular flowers, attractive to hummingbirds. Found naturally in prairie and savanna communities, it prefers wet soils.
- Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa): Lavender to pink clusters that offer excellent nectar source.
- Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis): White tubular flowers loved by pollinators, thriving in a variety of soil conditions.
- Savanna Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa): Tall spikes of bright purple flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies.
2. Native Shrubs and Trees for Year-Round Attraction
Native shrubs provide consistent food sources and shelter for hummingbirds:
Top Illinois Native Shrubs and Trees
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): Produces small flowers and berries that support a variety of wildlife and pollinators.
- New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus): Clusters of white flowers offer a rich source of nectar and pollen for hummingbirds.
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis): Unique spherical, honey-scented white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- White Pine (Pinus strobus) and Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana): Evergreens that can provide excellent shelter for nesting and resting, though check local guidelines for cedar to ensure it is not invasive in your area.
3. Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Habitat
Essential Habitat Components: Hummingbirds need more than just food—they also need a safe, comfortable environment to rest and nest. Native plants can help provide these essential resources.
- Shelter: Provide dense shrubs like Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) for resting.
- Water Sources: Install shallow birdbaths or misters.
- Perches: Leave small dead branches for hummingbirds to rest and survey their territory.
4. Choose Plants with Multiple Bloom Times
To keep hummingbirds coming back throughout the season, plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times. This ensures a continuous supply of nectar. At Natural Communities, we offer a range of plants that bloom from spring through fall, so your garden will remain a welcoming habitat for hummingbirds year-round.
Consider:
- Spring Bloomers: Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).
- Summer Bloomers: Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa), Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis).
- Fall Bloomers: Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Savanna Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa).
5. Provide Protein Sources
While nectar is essential, hummingbirds also need protein to survive and thrive. They obtain this from insects such as fruit flies, mosquitoes, spiders, aphids, gnats, and ants.
Why Protein Matters:
- Muscle Growth: Amino acids in insects help hummingbirds grow strong muscles.
- Feeding Young: In spring, high-protein diets are critical for feeding their young.
- Migration: Protein supports the energy demands of long migrations.
- Cold Weather: Protein-rich diets aid in tolerating colder temperatures.
To support insect populations, focus on native host plants. Native plants host caterpillars and other insects that provide the protein hummingbirds need to raise their young.
6. Avoid Pesticides and Chemicals
To ensure the safety of hummingbirds and other wildlife in your garden, avoid using harmful pesticides or chemicals. Instead, focus on organic gardening practices and natural pest control methods. By using native plants, you'll reduce the need for pesticides, as these plants are well-suited to your local environment and more resistant to pests.
7. Maintain a Layered Garden for More Wildlife
A well-planned garden with different plant heights—such as groundcovers, shrubs, and taller flowers—will provide plenty of feeding and resting spots for hummingbirds. This layered approach also benefits other wildlife and promotes a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
8. Plant Recommendations by Soil Moisture
The soil in your garden plays a key role in determining which plants will thrive. By selecting plants suited to your soil's moisture level, you can create an optimal growing environment for both the plants and the hummingbirds they attract. Here are some recommendations based on soil types:
Dry Soil
- Butterfly-weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
- Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta)
- New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
- Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
Medium Soil
- Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)
- Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
- Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Moist Soil
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
- Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens)
- Muskingum Sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
9. Be Patient and Observe the Birds
Hummingbirds can be cautious when approaching new gardens, so be patient. With the right combination of plants and food sources, you’ll soon start to see these beautiful birds buzzing around your garden. Take time to observe their feeding habits and the variety of other pollinators they attract.
Attracting hummingbirds to your garden is a rewarding experience that not only adds beauty to your space but also supports local wildlife. By incorporating native plants from Natural Communities such as Columbine, Bee Balm, and Cardinal Flower, and by creating a habitat that includes shelter, water, and pesticide-free practices, you'll create a thriving ecosystem that supports Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and other pollinators. Explore our selection of native plants and start designing your own hummingbird haven today!
Local Resources
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Natural Communities Native Plant Nursery - Specializing in high-quality native
plants, seed mixes, shrubs, and trees - Illinois Audubon Society - Local conservation resources
- University of Illinois Extension - Native Plant Guidelines