Tara Montgomery, who owns Montgomery Gardens with husband Richard, shares this important tip. Use a red hummingbird feeder. There is an interesting assortment of hummingbird feeders styles- available to suit all tastes.
Another tip from Tara is to plant red or pink flowers near your feeder, which seem to attract hummingbirds to the feeder. Try using these: fuschia, red salvia, pentas, lantana, Cardinal Lobelia, or Pineapple Sage. Red petunias, Million Bells, Cardinal Climber, Hummingbird Vine, and Cigar Plant work well too.
How simple, but according to our professionals, and to a lot of happy bird watchers, both of these red tricks work.
Tips from Tara
• Put out hummingbird feeders about the first of April. Change the nectar every three days. (Yes, you only feed hummingbirds nectar, not seeds.)
• Clean the tray with warm, soapy water. Be aware that harmful bacteria can build-up if careful cleaning is not done.
• Ants can become a problem since ants are also attracted to nectar. Ant guards are usually sold where you purchase nectar.
• Hummingbird feeders are most often taken down in late October.
