Any yard in North America can expect to have at least one hummingbird species visit it during the warmer months of the year (April through late September). In the eastern half of the continent, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the only regularly occurring hummer.

But the lucky folks in the West have many hummers to enjoy, including ten commonly found species. In summer, the hummingbird capital of North America is southeastern Arizona, where a dozen or more species can be found at a single feeding station.

Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, especially red and orange. These colors are a signal in nature that, to hummers, means nectar. A large patch of blooming red or orange flowers is a beacon to hummingbirds. It says "Eat here!" Once they stop to investigate the flowers, your feeder may get noticed. If you keep the feeder filled and clean, the hummingbirds have no reason to look elsewhere.

The very best way to start a hummingbird feeding station is to act naturally. There's no better way to spread the welcome mat for hummingbirds than to plant the flowers they like. Most of the flowers are red or orange and have a tubular shape that fits the hummingbird's bill. Flowers not only dress up your yard, but they also provide a constant source of food for the birds that never needs to be washed and refilled, like feeders! Dozens of possibilities are awaiting you at a nearby garden center. Just be sure that you choose flowering plant, shrub, and tree species that thrive in your climate or growing zone.

Among the most widely thriving and popular hummer plants are beebalm, various salvia or sage species, and trumpetvine.