These Plants Are A Secret Weapon For Encouraging Hummingbirds To Nest In Your Yard

Baby hummingbirds can be hard to find, but searching for them is worth it. They're an adorable reminder that tiny miracles are constantly happening in nature. One way to increase your chances of spotting a hatchling to grow plants that hummingbirds like to use as nesting sites. Thorny shrubs are an excellent choice because they help keep predators away from the nests. Hummingbird moms seek out shrubs that offer prickly stems and small spaces that they can squeeze into but many predators cannot. Some hummingbird predators that might be lurking in your yard include owls, crows, and hawks. The biggest threat comes from the cats that roam your neighborhood. Luckily, a thorny hideaway can convince felines and larger birds to search elsewhere for snacks, letting hummers raise their young in peace.

Knowing how hummingbirds build nests is helpful for selecting thorny landscaping plants and deciding where to place them. These birds often choose small branches or stems that are about a foot away from a tree or shrub's main trunk. They also nest by nectar-rich flowers to make feeding as easy as possible. Water sources are a big draw for them as well, especially the cooling droplets that form on the leaves of plants. Hummingbirds use the silk from spider webs to construct stretchy, cup-like structures for cradling their young. The nest expands as the chicks grow. Mother hummingbirds are adept at disguising their nests with moss, lichen, and other plant matter. This explains why their babies are so difficult to locate.

If you already have rose bushes, crown of thorns, or other spiny shrubs in your yard, skip pruning to encourage hummingbirds to nest there. Or, just use your shears on parts of these plants, leaving a few sections of dense, thorny growth. Try thinking like a cat when deciding which areas to trim. If a hummingbird can squeeze into an unpruned area but a cat can't get its paws into it, leave it alone.

You can also attract hummingbird families to your yard by adding more nest-friendly plants. When shopping for thorny shrubs, choose varieties that are likely to thrive where you live. This means selecting plants suited for your community's USDA hardiness zone and your yard's soil and sunlight situation. There are lots of rose relatives that may fit the bill. These include hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), firethorn (Pyracantha spp.), and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). Ideal for zones 6 through 11, apple hawthorn (Crataegus aestivalis) is a good fit if your yard tends to be wet. In addition to offering shelter, hawthorns provide flowers hummingbirds enjoy. 

Looking for a shrub that appreciates drier conditions? Great bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) is a contender if you live in zone 9, 10, or 11 and have a sunny spot to spare. Thorns help this vine climb while warding off creatures that might pillage hummingbird nests. Plus, the plant's blossoms draw a range of pollinators. Hummingbirds are fond of bougainvillea flowers because they're shaped like little tubes and bloom for much of the year. No matter which spiny shrub you choose, plant it in a quiet area since sudden noises deter hummingbirds.