How To Create A Hummingbird-Friendly Garden For Fall Migration

Every year in late summer or early autumn, hummingbirds fly from their breeding grounds in the northern United States and head south to winter in Mexico, Central America, and the Southern United States. An autumnal hummingbird-friendly garden can help provide the little birds with the strength they need to make this long journey by giving them a place to rest and plenty of nectar to help power their flight. It can also help to provide beauty for your yard as you transition into fall.

Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds will migrate regardless of whether or not hummingbird feeders are taken down, so there's no need to remove your hummingbird feeder early. In fact, if you have a hummingbird feeder, you should leave it up for several weeks after your last hummingbird sighting, even as the weather cools. Of course, it's not just feeders that provide hummingbirds with the nectar they need. You should also plant plenty of late summer and autumn blooming flowers for hummingbirds to enjoy as they pass through. 

There are a variety of gorgeous flowers that bloom well into autumn and are adored by hummingbirds. Adding these to your garden won't just enhance your yard's beauty; they will also provide nutrition for migrating hummingbirds. Autumn sage (Salvia greggi) is a huge hit with hummingbirds thanks to its flowers' bright red color and tubular shape. And because autumn sage, as its name suggests, blooms well into fall, its nectar is an ideal snack for migrating hummingbirds. Another gorgeous autumnal flower to add for hummingbirds is cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). It too boasts bright red blooms and tubular flowers, and unlike autumn sage, which is only hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9, cardinal flowers are hardy in zones 3 through 9. 

It's not just food that hummingbirds need on their migration, though. They also need a safe place to rest where they won't be threatened by predators. Adding a hummingbird swing or perch to your garden, or planting some trees they can rest in, helps make their difficult journey just a bit easier. You can even DIY a charming hummingbird swing to add to your garden.