National Hummingbird Day
- In the Garden Staff
- Sep 6
- 1 min read
September 6th is National Hummingbird Day. Here in Middle Tennessee, the most common species is the Ruby-throated hummingbird. August through September is their peak migration time through our area, where numbers are greatest after their young have fledged. Due to their constant need to replenish fat reserves, they dine on the nectar of many plants.
Nectar providing plants you’ll want to seek out for your garden are a mix of orangey flowering annuals and native perennials like cardinal vine, trumpet creeper, bee balm, crossvine, lantana and marigold. Don’t forget many red salvia varieties, cardinal flower (lobelia), and butterfly weed (milkweed) too! Click here to browse pollinator friendly perennial plants at Bates Nursery.
Evergreen trees and shrubs offer shelter and roosting sites. Hummingbirds love wire-thin branches for perching, so consider bushy leafy shrubs as well. Explore evergreen juniper shrubs offered at Bates Nursery.
It also should be noted that hummingbirds can be killed by pesticide overuse, either by drinking tainted nectar or eating poisoned insects, so use sparingly if at all!
Wanting to learn more about Tennessee hummingbirds? Read this great PDF prepared by the UT Extension! https://knox.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/202/2020/11/W305-Hummingbird-Gardening-in-TN.pdf
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