We’re among the biggest fans of butterflies and hummingbirds. Seeing the first hummingbird in the spring or a monarch butterfly in the summer is something to tell all your friends. Wondering how to get these summer visitors to come to your garden?  Plant these well into the season to keep them coming.

7 Plants to Build a "Hummingbird Hotel":

Here are 7 of our favorite, easy to care for flowering plants that can entice them. All of these grow easily in central Illinois with minimal maintenance. Keep reading for tips to create an enticing environment in your yard.

1. Daylily

A staple in most landscapes, daylilies are a classic favorite. Growing 18-30” tall, daylilies come in a variety of colors and styles.

2. Nepeta

Growing 24-36” tall, Nepeta is low maintenance, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant perennial with a long bloom time.

3. 

   Coral Bell

Coral Bell has several varieties, and one of our favorites is the Berry Timeless. It has a beautiful combination of green leaves, with bright pink flowers. A great choice for a shady or partially sunny bed.

4. Butterfly Bush

A no brainer for this list, this perennial will attract hordes of butterflies, just as the name suggests.

5. Salvia

Our favorite salvia “New Dimension” grows about 18” tall. It has bright, vibrant blooms that rebloom throughout the year.

6. Columbine

Columbine offers a mix of pastel-colored blooms from May-July. At 2 feet tall, it is a beautiful perennial for your partial shade planting beds.

7. Foxglove

 Watch Ruby on our Facebook page describe the benefits of Foxglove.

Had a hummingbird or butterfly sighting? Tell us about it on our Facebook page!

How to create a healthy, inviting environment for birds and butterflies:

Design your yard into a “hummingbird hotel” by creating a healthy, inviting environment for birds and butterflies:

• Minimize (or eliminate) the use of chemicals and pesticides.
• Plan your garden to have plants that will continuously bloom throughout the season. This will ensure an ample supply of nectar for the butterflies and hummingbirds (and you can enjoy the colors all year!)
• Don’t forget to deadhead flowers (remove the spent blossoms) to keep them blooming.
• Extra helpings: Provide a feeder with 4 parts water to 1-part sugar, boiled for 1-2 minutes. According to Audubon society, never use red dye, honey, or artificial sweeteners. 

Get more ideas! 

Check out our catalog and click on “Other” and check the “Attracts Hummingbirds” box to see a full range of flowers, bushes and trees to help hummingbirds thrive in central Illinois.

Visit our nursery and grab some of these beauties.

Sources:
Photo by D Mz from Pixabay
https://www.audubon.org/content/how-create-hummingbird-friendly-yard