Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is easy!
Fresh nectar from flowers is your best bet.
Here's what to expect:
- Hummingbird migration in Montana
- 8 Flowers in Montana Hummingbirds Love
- 5 Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
When do hummingbirds arrive in Montana?
Hummingbirds migrate from the south up through Montana in late April.
Southbound hummingbird migration wraps up in September.
Make sure your flowers are ready for hummingbird migration
Plant your perennials so they bloom at slightly different times.
You want some flowers to bloom in early April & others to bloom in the summer when they start breeding.
This ensures hummingbirds have a steady supply of nectar!
8 Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds in Montana
Make sure to follow our 5 Tips for Success using plants to Attract Hummingbirds.
1. Common Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Perennial
The small pink and white flowers are popular for hummingbirds.
Common Bearberry has small red berries that bears and birds eat.
This drought resistant plant is great for hummingbirds in Montana.
2. Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Perennial
An herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to North America.
The vibrant red is preferred by Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and many butterflies.
It’s spreading behavior varies so keep an eye on it making sure it doesn’t take over your garden.
3. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
- Perennial
Blooms early summer to fall which is ideal for succession gardening.
The bloom time coincides with the peak presence of Rufous Hummingbirds.
This high-nectar flower is a must for any hummingbird garden in Montana.
4. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
- Perennial
A dominant, bright pink nectar source blooming in mid-to-late summer.
It blooms during peak hummingbird season!
They're easy to see from a distance making it one of the best hummingbird flowers in Montana
5. Columbine (Aquilegia)
- Perennial
The red, yellow, and tube shape of Red Columbine is a hummingbird favorite.
It blooms late March if there's a mild winter which is ideal for hummingbird migration in Montana.
6. Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
- Perennial
Red Elderberry blooms in early to mid spring giving hummingbirds a reliable nectar source after migrating.
The elderberries are red, the flowers are white.
Elderberry shrubs are great nesting sites making it a top hummingbird plant in Montana.
7. Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)
- Perennial
Early blooms offer essential nectar in April and May for migrating hummingbirds.
This drought tolerant plant for Montana hummingbirds also doubles as a great nesting site for other birds.
8. Great Red Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)
- Perennial
A vibrant red flowering plant with firework-like bracts that bloom from March to October.
Everything from the shape to the color makes it a hummer magnet!
It's a popular plant for pollinator gardens, too.
5 Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds During Migration
1. Use Red Flowers
Hummingbirds are red sensitive.
They visit many colors but warm reds, yellows, and oranges increase the odds of them picking your flowers.
2. Avoid Invasive Plants
They can displace native vegetation.
- Butterfly Bush crowds out the native plants that support Montana's local butterfly population
- Foxglove displaces native flower
Check with the Montana Field Guide before planting.
3. Group Plants Together
Grouping similar plants in clumps makes them easier for hummingbirds to spot.
Use companion planting to make sure your garden thrives!
4. Use Hummingbird Feeders
When in doubt put up nectar feeders.
Hummingbirds will come for easy food. They'll notice your flowers & keep coming back for more.
5. Avoid Pesticides
Insecticides protect plants from destructive insects.
Many store bought pesticides can kill the insects hummingbirds eat and rely on for protein.
Opt for these eco-friendly insecticide alternatives:
What flowers do your hummingbirds like?
Share them on the Sparkbird App! Where likeminded birders and nature enthusiasts go to share.
Available in the Apple App Store.
