Expert: Roger Lederer - 10/5/2008

Question
I have a hummingbird feeder next to my house and would like to try to build or provide a suitable nest house site to encourage a bird or pair of birds to nest nearby. I am disabled and get alot of pleasure in watching these tiny birds fly and feed around my house. Is it possible to help or assist hummingbirds to nest nearby?

Answer
Hummingbirds do not nest in birdhouses, so that won't help. But if you have lots of trees and shrubs, and especially shrubs and flowers that produce a lot of nectar, that would be helpful.

Plants to Attract and Feed Hummingbirds
Trees and Shrubs
Azalea
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Cape Honeysuckle
Flame Acanthus
Flowering Quince
Lantana
Manzanita
Mimosa
Red Buckeye
Tree Tobacco
Turk's Cap
Weigela

Vines
Coral Honeysuckle
Cypress Vine
Morning Glory
Scarlet Runner Bean
Trumpet Creeper

Photo © Ann D. Martin
Flowers
Some may be annuals or perennials depending on climate.

Perennials
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Canna
Cardinal Flower
Columbine
Coral Bells
Four O'Clocks
Foxglove
Hosta
Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
Little Cigar
Lupine
Penstemon
Yucca

Annuals
Beard Tongue (and other penstemons)
Firespike
Fuchsia
Impatiens
Jacobiana
Jewelweed
Petunia
Various Salvia species
Shrimp Plant