There’s nothing quite like the shimmering flash of a ruby-throated hummingbird darting through the garden. These tiny, high-energy birds are Connecticut’s only native hummingbird, and they’ve just returned from their winter migration to Central America. They'll spend the warm months with us—typically from late April to mid-September—pollinating flowers, defending their territory, and dazzling us with their speed and beauty.

“A flash of harmless lightning, a mist of rainbow dyes... From flower to flower he flies.”
—John B. Tabb

Not Just Pretty Wings—Hummingbirds Are Powerhouse Pollinators While most people think of bees and butterflies when they hear “pollinator,” hummingbirds play an equally vital role in the garden. In fact, they are the most significant nectar-feeding vertebrate pollinators in the eastern U.S. Their long, specialized tongues are perfectly adapted for reaching deep inside tubular flowers—many of which are inaccessible to bees or butterflies. That makes them the primary pollinator for a wide range of native and ornamental plants. But nectar isn’t their only fuel source. Hummingbirds need protein, too—and they get it by snacking on small insects, spider eggs, and even snatching flies and moths mid-air. They're not just pollinators—they're garden pest control.

Why Haven’t I Seen Them?

We hear this question all the time: “I plant the flowers, but I never see hummingbirds.” The answer usually comes down to three things:

Timing – Hummingbirds are most active early in the morning and around sunset. They tend to avoid the bright, hot hours of the day. Cloudy or overcast days are great times to spot them.

Habitat – These birds prefer areas with dense trees or natural cover where they can rest and nest. If your landscape is more open or urban, they may be less frequent visitors.

Speed & Stealth – They fly at 35–60 MPH, hover almost motionlessly, and their wings move too fast to see. Even when they’re there, they’re easy to miss.

How to Make Your Garden Hummingbird-Friendly

It’s easier than you think—and we see it firsthand every morning here at The Gardener’s Center. Our open-air greenhouse often becomes a hummingbird runway, with birds bouncing from table to table in search of nectar. If you want to attract them naturally (without the sugar water and yellow jackets that feeders bring), plant tubular blooms and offer water in the form of birdbaths, fountains, or even sprinklers. They love flitting through wet leaves and misted plants—it’s part cooling off, part bath, and a joy to watch.

It's Not Just About Red Flowers

While red and orange do catch their eye, shape matters more than color. Long, tubular blooms are what they’re built to feed from—and yes, that includes Hosta flowers, one of their surprising favorites.

Top Plants to Attract Hummingbirds All available at The Gardener’s Center this season!

Annuals:
Salvia (all colors)
Cuphea (aka cigar plant)
Calibrachoa (aka million bells)
Fuchsia
Petunias

Perennials:
Agastache
Lobelia
Hosta – yes, for the blooms!
Nepeta (Catmint)
Lavender

Need help choosing? Just ask any member of our team—we see exactly what the hummingbirds go for. Let’s help you turn your garden into a hummingbird haven—naturally, beautifully, and sustainably.