Hummingbird Season

Hummingbirds will soon be migrating up from Central America to the USA. Some migrate all the way to Alaska where they may loop around to take a different route home. This is a lot of flying for the tiny birds and they need energy. In Colorado, they prefer the nectar of native perennials which are plants that existed in Colorado prior to European settlement. Penstemons are a big favorite and this plant, like hummingbirds, come from Central America.

Many of us receive joy at hosting the teeny birds in our gardens and some of us hang hummingbird feeders in our yard. Only put out your feeders during the season that the hummingbirds pass through on their way up North. In Colorado, that is from April 15 to May 15. Watch for their return through your yard and if they show up, put out your feeders again.

Those of you who are familiar with my property, know that I grow lots of perennials that are xeric (low water use) and native including Columbine, Red Hot Poker, Gilia, and Giant Hyssop (Asgastache cana). Now I know why I am blessed with Hummingbirds!