Your cart is currently empty!
Get Event Reminders…
…twice a month by subscribing to our newsletter
Subscribe using the form in the page footer below.
Your cart is currently empty!
…twice a month by subscribing to our newsletter
Subscribe using the form in the page footer below.
Photo:
Photo by Chris F via Pexels
Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission
Twenty-three different kinds of hummingbirds have been identified in North America, but the rubythroated hummingbird is the only one that visits our Ottawa and Ontario regions.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are not only beautiful but truly remarkable. Weighing less than a nickel, these tiny birds migrate north all the way from Mexico and parts of Central America to eastern North America each spring.
Because of their high energy level, nectar is about 90 percent of a hummingbird’s diet. They also depend on live insects, including aphids, gnats, fruit flies, mosquitoes, and small bees and spiders, which are regurgitated by the mother bird to feed her young. That’s why it’s good to welcome insects into your garden too. They help to feed the birds, especially their babies.
Some people put out hummingbird feeders to attract hummingbirds. If you do, it’s important to change the nectar solution regularly, especially during the hot, humid days of summer. Otherwise, the solution will spoil and could harm the small birds. Also, remember to carefully follow the directions for making nectar syrup. The usual recipe is a mixture of four parts water and one-part white sugar, boiled and then refrigerated. Don’t substitute honey, brown sugar, or sugar substitutes, as these can harm the birds. Never add red dye, which is potentially fatal.
A more natural way to attract hummingbirds, and my personal preference, is to create a garden including plants suited to them. Hummingbirds benefit from many different native and non-native plants but are especially attracted to red, tubular-shaped flowers. A few non-native plants that attract hummingbirds include canna lilies, zinnias, scarlet runner beans, and honeysuckle.
Take care, however, not to plant invasive nonnative honeysuckle species that can spread aggressively in the garden and into the natural landscape. Among the 16 honeysuckle species found in Ontario, four are considered invasive. Since their introduction in the 1800s, the bells, amur, morrow, and Tatarian honeysuckles have invaded parts of Canada.
To encourage hummingbirds to visit your garden, try growing these native plants:
The Cardinal flower is a magnet for hummingbirds. In fact, the first hummingbird to fly into my backyard garden arrived just after several cardinal plants had been planted. This showy, short-lived perennial with its bright red flowers prefers full sun. Soil can be clay, loam, organic, or sand, but whatever the soil type, it needs to be well drained and moist, especially in the spring. The plant dies back to the ground in winter and can easily be split in the fall or spring.
Hummingbirds are attracted to these tiny, orange-colored flowers, which they rely upon for nectar during their long migration flight. Jewelweed can be found growing in moist ditches and along creeks in the wild. It is a native plant appropriate for our zone. This self-seeding annual grows in sun and partial shade, preferring moist, well-drained soil.
This summer-blooming herb has lovely red flowers that attract hummingbirds. It grows well in the sun or in partial shade. It too prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Click here to listen to the sound of the rubythroated hummingbird.
Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.
ZZ Plant care and propagation are easy and straight forward. It just about every qualification needed for a new indoor plant introduction.
Canadian Serviceberry’s stunning white spring flowers turn an outstanding orange in the fall. It’s blackberries are a valued source of food.
In saving tomato seeds for almost 5 decades, I learned that drying seeds on paper towel works, but it’s a hassle detaching the seeds.
Discover why mushrooms in your garden can be beneficial, the different types of mushrooms, and whether you should remove them.
Learn about a variety of acid loving plants that add beauty to your garden. From azaleas to hydrangeas, unlock a colorful world of gardening possibilities.
A poinsettia is distinguished by having a single female flower that lacks petals and frequently sepals, which are surrounded by male blooms.
Learn how to grow lavender from seed and enjoy its therapeutic benefits for stress relief and peaceful sleep. Discover different varieties and creative uses for dried flower bunches.
While I am trying to encourage my vegetables to get started, I am still reluctant about bringing vegetables outside.
I’m making Nasturtium Vinaigrette by straining my nasturtium vinegar. I like to use basil as my herb, but you can use whatever herb you want.
Learn sustainable mushroom cultivation. Along with their sustainability, numerous types of mushrooms are a nutritious food with decreased calories and no cholesterol or fat. Use these eco-friendly tips and start growing mushrooms today!
My colourful flowers were so beautiful. The Emily Carr rose that had such horrible winter damage is covered in deep red roses.
GardeningCalendar.ca gets some funding from advertisers. If you click on links and advertisements at no cost to you, the site may receive a small commission that helps fund its operation.
© 2025 J&S Calendars Ltd.