Could be the region you're in. I've always had hummers around, even right downtown. Neighborhood shouldn't be much of a factor - but overall region will be.

If you plant it they will come! Hummingbird flowers that is. The other factor is taking the time to look for them. I plant several containers full of hummingbird salvias like Salvia Black and Blue and sit the containers outside my window so I can sit in my chair and watch the action! I also have a feeder hanging there and one in front of my kitchen window in the front yard. Another sure draw is Bee Balm...if you have a nice large group of Bee balm they will also come to that!
Joann

Hi V1, the hummingbirds will need habitat for nesting and a supply of insects as well as nectar from flowers or feeders. Also, they need buffers of forest or vegetation for movement through their habitat. I remember reading something about how hummingbirds will go far out of their way to hug the forest when moving through their territory or migrating. They don't like to cross clear-cut, open areas.

When I first moved here I saw hummers only occasionally. After planting a hummingbird garden in back, I see them often (multiple x per day). Their favorites are Monarda didyma, Monarda 'Raspberry Wine', Lobelia cardinalis, Yvonne's Salvia, Salvia coccinea, Cardinal climber vine, and tall single Zinnias. They also nectar on lots of other things in the gardens, but to a lesser extent.

I have Monarda! And I will have Salvia seeds very soon. I also bought Salvia Black and Blue but I haven't planted them yet since I'm afraid that they might get killed by frost. Weather.com shows the lowest we can get for the rest of the week is 38F but just one night.

Thanks for all the tips! I will make sure those gets planted and multiplied as well. :D

I never saw a hummingbird in my own yard until last year. I planted Salvia "Black and Blue" and often saw the hummers visiting.

One year I saw a hummer moth milling around in my yard - now that was a fabulous creature! Never saw him (her?) again...

i have lots of hummers in my z5a garden ...

though it seems a bit early ....

get a 6 pack.. plant your but near ANY flower bed ... and dont move for a couple hours... at first you will think you are hallucinating... but sooner or later you will start to believe they are around ...

the real test is to get a cheap hummer feeder with sugar water ... and watch that ... the only problem with that.. is the bees and wasps which will also be attracted ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: for example

I should but a hummer feeder. How much sugar per cup? Is 1 teaspoon enough?

And can I plant my Salvia Black and Blue now? If there is a chance of frost, I can just cover it with a pot like what I did with my Tithonia right?

Thanks everyone! :D

For the hummingbird feeder, 1 part sugar to 4 parts boiling water.
Unused sugar water can be refrigerated. When the weather gets hot, change the feeder often as the nectar gets sour.
We have 3 feeders, one in front of the picture window in the front, one on the deck in back and one on an arbor in the flower garden. We never get tired of watching the antics!

Nancy VB

No -**too early for annuals right now** unless you plant in a planter and the soil is already nice and warm in there and you're willing to run out there and cover again tonight and probably a few more times in the next week or two.

I have a patch of lobelia cardinalis growing in one of my beds, and the hummers go crazy for them, they even chase each other off for them. I've also seen them at my salvia transylvanica, and I grew maltese cross and saline regina from seed last year for the hummers to enjoy, hopefully they flower this year. They like impatians too. I think I've seen them at my butterfly bush as well.

Karen

That's great to hear Karen. What month do they usually become visible? I don't have any flowers yet at this time.

Oh, I just bought 2 hummer feeders. :)

I'm going to prepare the water-sugar tonight.

They should be around right about now, they like to sip from the flowers of my weigela shrubs, and they are about to bloom.

Karen

My MIL's DH saw one yesterday at my feeders, but I haven't stood there long enough to see one yet.

Some thoughts: While some like to boil, I don't, and my hummers don't seem to care. I make a 2 qt pitcher at a time, and use 2C sugar, 2C hot tap water (stir well), then add another 6C of cold water, and can use immediately. The rest is refrigerated.

I fill 4 feeders, and recently saw an open "plate" design feeder video online that was simply amazing. Someone on one of these boards posted it. Might be in the New England board. I'm considering making one. Apparently they'll all play nice if they're forced to eat from the same big bowl.

Here's the vid I was looking for. Ain't this COOL??!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Hummer Bowl

That is really cool, though if I was to do this I would be lucky to just have one at a time. I guess some people are just luckier than others to get tons of them.

I wonder if regular birds would drink from this thinking it is water, and if they would bathe and poop in it like they do in my birdbath. And of course bees and jellow jackets would be a problem too I am sure.