How to Make a Hummingbird Haven

A combination of hanging baskets and a large basket-type planter is filled with nectar- and pollen-rich plants. This portable garden also includes a handcrafted hummingbird feeder with red accents that signal nectar sources, making a colorful display with added enticement for the tiny birds. We chose a strong shepherd’s hook for this project because it can hold the hanging baskets and anchor in the ground while standing in the base planter.

Choose a combination of annuals and perennials, and transplant the perennials into your garden at summer’s end. Attract hummers with tubular flowers (lantana, salvia, pentas) that hold nectar-promising appeal. Hummingbirds have heightened awareness to colors in the red to yellow range, but nectar itself is the biggest draw. Bees are drawn to purple and blue nectar-filled flowers (agastache, lavender), and they join butterflies in their penchant for pollen-heavy blossoms (bidens, cosmos, zinnia).

Plantings in hanging baskets typically dry out quickly. Thanks to moisture-holding liners and potting mix, these containers can last much longer between waterings. The outer liner, called Supamoss, resembles natural green moss but retains its green color longer. The Magnimoist inner liners are made from a natural fiber that reduces water and fertilizer loss over the summer.

Our colorful display is designed to create beauty and fascination throughout the season. It’s a viewing station, too. Set up your hummer haven near a deck, patio, or porch, where you can sit and watch winged traffic while you relax.