Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is easy!
Fresh nectar from flowers is your best bet.
Here's what to expect:
- Hummingbird migration in Utah
- 8 Flowers in Utah Hummingbirds Love
- 5 Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds
When do hummingbirds return to Utah?
Hummingbirds migrate from the south up through Utah 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 Utah
Make sure to follow our 5 Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds.
1. Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
- Perennial
Hummingbird Mint has tubular, nectar rich flowers that are perfect for hummingbirds (hence its name).
It's drought resistant which is perfect for Utah gardens.
The flowers bloom from mid-summer to fall— perfect for peak hummingbird activity.
2. Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)
- Perennial
These shrubs offer essential early nectar making it a premier choice for hummingbirds.
It blooms in April to May and has trumpet shaped flowers.
This plant also doubles as a great nesting site for other birds.
3. 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.
4. Columbine (Aquilegia)
- Perennial
This drought resistant flower is a hummingbird favorite!
It blooms late spring which is ideal for hummingbird migration to Utah.
Related: 6 Easy DIY Hummingbird Feeders (They're Basically Free!)
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 Utah.
7. 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.
8. Common Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Perennial
Common Bearberry has small red berries that bears and birds eat.
The small pink and white flowers are popular and nectar rich for hummingbirds
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: dicouraged because it crowds out native plants
- Mexican Petunia: spreads aggressively & displaces native plants
Check with the Utah Department of Agriculture before planting.
3. Use Hummingbird Feeders
When in doubt put up nectar feeders.
Hummingbirds will come for bird feeder but stay for the flowers!
Check out the Best Homemade Hummingbird Food Recipe
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.
