They weigh less than a nickel, but right now, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are finishing a nonstop, 20-hour flight across the Gulf of Mexico. By the end of May, their northern migration brings them right to our neighborhoods in Wheaton and Carol Stream. When they arrive, they'll be exhausted and looking for a reliable pit stop.

To catch a glimpse of these iridescent micro-dynamos, you do not need artificial red dyes or complicated setups. You just need to understand what they are looking for: a safe place to rest and delicious, sugary food.

What Plants Attract Hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds look at your garden in layers. It's not just about a single host plant. You need to pay attention to everything from the groundcover to the canopy. Let's go one layer at a time.

The Perennial Layer

• Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

  An absolute essential for late May. Its nodding, red and yellow bell-shaped flowers bloom precisely when the first migration wave hits northern Illinois.

• Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

  A low-growing, velvety groundcover at just 6 inches that creates a dense mat of heart-shaped leaves. While hummingbirds won't feed on it, it creates a perfect microclimate for beneficial insects and keeps moisture in the soil.

• Beardtongue (Penstemon)

  Tubular, trumpet-shaped flowers that serve as neon open signs for passing birds. The shape fits a hummingbird's beak perfectly.

• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

  Brilliant crimson spikes from 3 to 5 feet tall. It thrives in moister soils and partial sun, acting as a massive visual beacon for birds.

• Wild Bergamot / Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)

  Grows to about 3 to 4 feet. The ragged, lavender blossoms are absolute magnets for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds later into summer.

The Annual Layer

• Black and Blue Salvia (Salvia guaranitica)

  Deep cobalt-blue tubular flowers emerging from black calyces. The shape of the bloom perfectly matches a hummingbird's beak. Plant it where it gets plenty of afternoon sun and watch the traffic roll in.

• Cuphea (Cigar Plant)

  Bright orange and red tubular flowers that look exactly like tiny lit matches. Hummingbirds are hardwired to seek out the color red, and these high-nectar producers will keep them coming back hourly.

• Dipladenia

  A tough vining annual that thrives in heavy Illinois summer heat. Its trumpet-shaped flowers come in vibrant pinks and reds. It looks incredible trailing from a hanging basket or climbing a small trellis, putting the food right at eye level.

• Canna (Canna indica)

  Massive paddle-like leaves and towering stalks topped with large, nectar-rich red, orange, or yellow blossoms. They provide an excellent mid-summer visual beacon for birds flying overhead.

The Mid-Layer

Structural shrubs give hummingbirds a quick place to dart into when a predator or a sudden spring storm rolls through. This is the layer that's easiest to miss.

• Clethra (Summersweet)

  A native shrub that handles shady spots beautifully. It blooms in late summer with intensely fragrant, fluffy white spikes, filling a critical gap when spring blooms have faded and providing dense cover for nesting or resting.

• Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

  A classic landscape staple that bridges the gap between shrub and small tree. Its large, saucer-shaped flowers bloom reliably throughout August. The deep center of each bloom holds a wealth of nectar, making it a favorite afternoon pit stop.

• Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera)

  Clusters of long, narrow red tubes with gold interiors. It climbs beautifully up fences or arbors, creating a vertical feeding wall and a safe, elevated tangle where birds can hide from ground predators.

• Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

  A fantastic native shrub at 6 to 8 feet. Tiny yellow blossoms in early spring and a vital host plant for swallowtail butterflies, with excellent structural cover throughout the season.

The Canopy Layer

Tall trees provide essential nesting sites and high perches where territorial males can survey their territory. If you can plant at the base of one of these, hummingbirds will love your setup.

• White Oak or Red Oak (Quercus alba / rubra)

  Oaks support over 500 species of local caterpillars and insects. To a hummingbird, an oak is a high-protein grocery store disguised as a shelter. They use the lichen on the bark and spiderwebs in the branches to weave their tiny, elastic nests.

• Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

  Dense structural protection and early-season sap. The branching structure is ideal for birds looking to escape the wind or stake out a permanent territory for the summer.

• Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

  A secret weapon for hummingbird enthusiasts. In late spring it blooms with large, yellow-green and orange cup-shaped flowers high in the canopy, providing a massive early nectar source right when hummingbirds are passing through.

Does It Matter if I Use Native Plants?

The short answer is, it depends on your preference. Native plants provide the highest quality nectar and attract the tiny insects that make up the bulk of a hummingbird's actual diet. But at Barn Owl, we stock both natives and a nice selection of compatible non-natives to give you the best chance to attract hummingbirds. You can be a successful hummingbird shepherd without sticking exclusively to natives.

Can I Make My Own Hummingbird Food?

If you are supplementing your garden with feeders, there are a couple schools of thought. Store-bought hummingbird nectar is usually supplemented with electrolytes and minerals. Making your own is very easy, but the trade-off is that it won't have those extra nutrients.

Build Your Hummingbird Sanctuary

This is the perfect time to start stocking up on plants and supplies. If you want to host these bejeweled birds rather than just hoping for a glimpse, stop by Barn Owl to peruse our bird house. We've got a great selection of hummingbird feeders and plenty of the native plants mentioned above.

While you're here, grab a seasonal drink from Feathered Saddled Coffee Co. We'll see you soon.