How to Create a Hummingbird Garden above 7,500′

Leslee T. Alexander, Mountain Master Gardener, Gilpin County, May 2007

Alpine environments above 7,500′ provide a great opportunity to attract hummingbirds to the garden. A backyard filled with native plants reflects the natural beauty found in most mountain communities. Sites designed for wildlife are attractive and easy to maintain, freeing time to enjoy the blooms and the hummingbirds. With some careful planning, there is no need to maintain hummingbird feeders to get a variety of these small “winged jewels” in your yard.

The design of a Hummingbird garden is quite simple. Windbreaks, nectar-laden tubular-shaped flowers, confiers for nesting sites and puddles of water draw hummingbirds in and continue to satisfy their needs throughout the summer. Hummingbirds depend on nectar from plants and insects for food.

There are four native hummingbirds that can appear at high elevations in Colorado. The Broad tailed migrate to the area in April or May, and stay through the summer, whereas Calliope, Black Chinned, and Rufous make occasional or short appearances.

Your garden site may have some facets of a wildlife garden already, or it may be an empty space, barren backfill from recent construction (to garden here, the soil will probably have to be amended). Look around: take note of the sunny areas, rocks and pools of water. Sun encourages flowers to bloom, and sun-warmed rocks encourage plant growth. Determine where water naturally pools, because hummingbirds will need water. Offer shelter from the sun, wind and rain.

Before planting, amend the soil with two inches of compost and till it in six inches. The plants should be mulched, and it is good to fertilize in the fall and the spring Grow organically. Do not use pesticides. Hummingbirds eat many insects, and use spider webs to help build their nests.

There are plants that work well at elevation, and plants that attract hummingbirds. The goal is to find which combination of these plants works best. Use plants and shrubs that bloom at different times of the season.

Arrange the plants in groups; large clusters of flowers are easier for the hummingbirds to locate. Arrange the plants by color and height. Allow space for annuals, biennials and perennials. Keep track of the garden to determine which plants draw hummingbirds.

Mountain living demands a new approach to gardening. Our landscapes are rocky. Water is scarce. The season is short. Nonetheless, the beauty of aspen leaves fluttering above boldly-colored wildflowers entices and encourages gardeners and hummingbirds back each year. We have all had our days trying to keep the critters out, so consider nurturing a space to draw them in.

List of Suggested Hummingbird Garden Plants for the Mountains

Table 1: Perennials

Table 2: Annuals to attract hummingbirds in the mountains (Put outside after danger of frost is over)