Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is easy!
Fresh nectar from flowers is your best bet.
Here's what to expect:
- Hummingbird migration in Nebraska
- 8 Flowers in Nebraska Hummingbirds Love
- 5 Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
When do hummingbirds arrive in Nebraska?
Hummingbirds migrate from the south up through Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Make sure to follow our 5 Tips for Success using plants to Attract Hummingbirds.
1. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Perennial
The Cardinal Flower depends on hummingbirds since many insects find the flowers difficult to navigate.
It's basically a beacon for hummingbirds!
The summer blooms time is perfect for fledglings and migration.
2. Lantana
- Annual
This drought resistant flower is great for hummingbirds in Nebraska.
The rich cluster of tubular flowers of the Lantana plant are a favorite for hummingbird gardens.
Butterflies and bees love them, too, dubbing the plant a pollinator workhorse.
3. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
- Perennial
A gorgeous climbing vine with irresistible flowers.
It blooms during peak hummingbird season— June through September.
This is the flower to use in your Nebraska hummingbird garden.
4. Blazing Stars (Liatris)
- Annual
Blazing Stars looks is one of the more fun flowers you can choose for hummingbirds.
Great for for attracting hummingbirds & monarch butterflies!
5. Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Perennial
An herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to North America.
Hummingbirds and butterflies love this flower!
It’s spreading behavior varies so keep an eye on it making sure it doesn’t take over your garden.
6. Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
- Perennial
Blooms early summer to fall which is ideal for succession gardening.
The bloom time coincides with the peak presence hummingbirds.
It's a must for any hummingbird garden in Nebraska.
7. Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
- Perennial
The fragrant lavender-blue flowers bloom from mid-summer to fall.
It's a hardy drought resistant plant which is ideal for Nebraska gardens.
Pair this with some early blooming plants and hummingbirds will stick around until fall migration.
8. 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 Nebraska.
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 Nebraska's local butterfly population
- Foxglove displaces native flowers
Check with the Nebraska Invasive Species Program before planting.
3. 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.
4. Group Plants Together
Grouping similar plants in clumps makes them easier for hummingbirds to spot.
Use companion planting to make sure your garden thrives!
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.
