“Hover like a hummingbird, always able to fly backwards when needed.” — Amelia Earhart

Every spring the hummingbirds come from Mexico and Central America. Some come to spend the summer here, especially the broad-tailed hummingbird. Others may just pass through on their way to breeding grounds farther west. They will return south in late summer.

Hummingbirds easily can be attracted to your garden by feeders filled with sugar water. Watching these amazing aerial acrobats at the feeders is fun, and not a bad way to help out these busy migrants. Even better is to have some flowering plants in your garden that provide nectar for them. The nectar is a better food, and it is equally entertaining to watch them move through your garden sipping at the plants.

Hummingbirds are generally attracted to bright-colored flowers like red, orange, pink and sometimes purple. Blooms with a long, narrow shape that allow their long beaks and tongues to easily access nectar are best. There are lots of flowering plants that meet these needs and also thrive in Colorado Springs.

Planting design matters: Choose two or three plant species and get several of each species. Plant each species together, in clusters of three, five or seven. It is preferable for the birds and for the aesthetics to have fewer varieties of plants in larger quantities.

The idea is that the birds can easily move from bloom to bloom, much like people would move through a buffet line.

Hummingbirds can be quite territorial, so consider grouping plants with visual barriers between clusters. Barriers could include a structure, like a home or garden shed, or vegetation. These small birds also will benefit from trees and shrubs on which they can rest, hide from competition, preen, cool off in the shade, and eat insects. Yes, hummingbirds need protein, too!

Plant selection can include perennials, natives, and annuals. In general, most are available at local garden centers. The accompanying list will give you a great head start for plant selection.

Submit gardening questions to csumg2@elpasoco.com or call 719-520-7684. The in-person help desk is open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visit elpaso.extension.colostate.edu and register for upcoming classes at epcextension.eventbrite.com.