🌺 Welcome the Hummingbirds

Photo: An abandoned hummingbird nest I spotted at the Audubon Society at Beechwood Farms. The eggs (not real) are the size of a jelly bean!

Hummingbirds are on their way to Pittsburgh, and it’s the perfect time to get your yard ready for these tiny visitors! The very first one was spotted in the Hill District neighborhood on April 10. I keep up with their journey thanks to some bird-loving friends who share updates from the Hummingbird Tracker at Hummingbird Central. These little travelers start their migration in Central America and Mexico as early as January, but they pass through our neighborhoods from April to May. This bird that weighs less than a nickel can fly more than 20 miles a day, and during migration will cross the Gulf of Mexico (over 500 miles) in one go. They might be small, but they’re full of spirit!

With some special guests on the way, now’s a good time to roll out the welcome mat—perhaps a patch of red flowers instead of the red carpet? Along with putting up a hummingbird feeder, you can treat these little powerhouses to a buffet of nectar-rich blooms. If you’re new to gardening or just hoping to spot your very first hummingbird, here are a few easy native perennials to try:

Columbine (orange) – An early spring bloomer that’s perfect for attracting hummingbirds when they first start arriving in Pittsburgh in April. It grows in full sun to shade and starts popping up after the spring tulips are done.

Coral honeysuckle – I have a huge vine of this growing right on Penn Avenue, and hummingbirds have no fear of traffic or pedestrians. They zip right in for a drink. Unlike invasive honeysuckles, this native vine plays nicely with others and is a fantastic choice for a fence or downspout.

Scarlet bee balm – One of their absolute favorites! These bright red tubular flowers are irresistible to hummers. In my garden, this is usually where I spot my first hummingbird of the season. Bee balm also attracts bees and butterflies, so one plant can support a whole bunch of pollinators.

Cardinal flower – This bright red beauty blooms from June all the way through October. Since hummingbirds start heading back south in late summer, it’s extra helpful to have cardinal flower in your garden to give them a boost for the trip. It loves moist spots, so try it in a rain garden, a low patch, or near your downspout.

If you’d like an easy way to get started, there are lots of hummingbird-friendly native plants that Rust Belt Natives grow in their nursery. Come visit one of the pop-ups or schedule a pick up and get your garden ready for some hummingbird magic.