Hummingbird Gardening in Tennessee

University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University Extension

Knox County

Presented by Emily A. Gonzalez

By: Marcia Davis, Extension KCMG and Emily Gonzalez, Extension Agent II

Contents

Why garden for hummingbirds?

Creates habitat for hummers and other pollinators.

Plants for hummers are aesthetically pleasing.

Plants for hummers can be low maintenance and hardy in our summer landscapes.

Photo by Paula Cannon/VIREO

Understanding pollinator preferences

Hummer habitat

Ruby-throats often nest in forests and woodlands or in “edge habitat” during spring.

They favor riparian woodland areas.

But still, they come to my yard!!

Hummer diet

Flower nectar and insects

Mostly insects during nesting season

Homemade 25% sugar water supplied by humans

Image from Wild Birds Unlimited

All season hummers

Fall frenzy: migration period, lasts early July through October

Winter wanderers: November through late March

Spring migration: late March to mid-May

Summer nesting: Early May through July

Fall frenzy

Starts now, peaks mid-August to early September

The most prolific hummingbird viewing season

Hummers feeding heavily on flower nectar and sugar water.

Winter wanderers

Mostly rufous hummingbirds

They select yards with late-blooming, nectar-bearing flowers such as salvias.

Birds love taking cover in evergreen trees! Photo from allaboutbirds.org

Spring migration

Get your feeders ready by April 1.

Red buckeye is a favorite spring bloomer.

Just look at those flowers: perfect tubular shape and red color. A warm way to welcome

the hummers.

Summer nesting…

Photo from hummingworlds.comPhoto from fosterparrots.com

cute, cute, cute.

Summer nesting

Hummers are elusive as they nest.Mothers are stocking up on protein (insects) instead

of sugars (feeder). Keep an eye on your feeder, nonetheless, and keep your flowers blooming!

Photo from pbase.com

Ruby-throated hummingbird feeding on Agastache ‘Desert Sunrise.’ Common name: hummingbird mint

Flowering favorites

Canna lily by EG

Next steps

Select favorite perennials for fall planting.

Plan to coordinate flowering annuals with spring planting.

Find ways to protect your hummingbird garden from cats. Don’t sabotage your hummers!

Resources and reference

egonzale@tnstate.edu

https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W305.pdf

What did you learn? (learning outcomes)

Put out banana peels for insectsThey eat insects!Pollinator preferencesSugar water solution mimics natural nectarTubular shaped flower preferenceFeeder out by april 1st

Plant recommendationsHummers will eat your fruit flys

What will you do? (behavioral outcomes)

Try a misterTry white milk jugBanana peelShare info with someone