Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is easy!
Fresh nectar from flowers is your best bet.
Here's what to expect:
- Hummingbird migration in North Dakota
- 7 Flowers in North Dakota Hummingbirds Love
- 5 Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
When do hummingbirds return to North Dakota?
Hummingbirds are rare in North Dakota.
But they're still around.
They migrate from the south up through North Dakota in early May.
Southbound hummingbird migration wraps up in October.
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 May & others to bloom in the summer when they start breeding.
This ensures hummingbirds have a steady supply of nectar!
7 Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds in North Dakota
Make sure to follow our 5 Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds.
1. Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Perennial
An herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to North America.
The vibrant red is preferred by hummingbirds and many butterflies.
It’s spreading behavior varies so keep an eye on it making sure it doesn’t take over your garden.
2. Foxglove (Digitalis)
- Perennial
Foxglove is great for partially shaded areas.
It’s an ideal hummingbird flower for rural or suburban yards since it’s deer resistant.
Beware— Foxglove is toxic. All plant parts cause severe poisoning.
3. Columbine (Aquilegia)
- Perennial
This drought resistant flower is a hummingbird favorite!
It blooms late spring which is ideal for hummingbird migration to North Dakota.
4. 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 North Dakota.
- Related: 5 Steps to Clean Hummingbird Feeders
5. Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
- Perennial
A dominant, bright pink nectar source blooming in mid-to-late summer.
Hummingbirds can see this tall flower from a distance!
It's visibility makes it ideal for hummingbird food.
6.Common Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Perennial
A low-lying groundcover with small, nectar-rich flowers.
Common Bearberry has small red berries that, you guessed it, bears and birds eat.
The small pink and white flowers are popular and nectar rich for hummingbirds
7. Blazing Stars (Liatris)
- Annual
Blazing Stars is one of the more fun flowers you can choose for hummingbirds.
It's a drought resistant flower that looks like a pink-purple bottle brush.
Bonus: Clearwing Hummingbird Moths love Liatris
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 not prohibited but crowds out plants that support North Dakota's butterfly population
- Foxglove can displace native flora in riparian areas
Check with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture 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 like minded birders and nature enthusiasts go to share.
Available in the Apple App Store.
