Choose your flowers wisely

     As beautiful as the colors are of this Geranium, they really aren't at the top of the list for hummingbirds. Some flowers are useful as attracting and drawing hummers in, while others contain multiple drops of rich nectar that keep them around. This is not to say that they won't return to these sub par flowers. If there's not much else available, these flowers will stay on the short list. 
They start to expand their territory in search of new food, and will distinguish good from bad and soon prioritize what's worthy of their return. In time they will form a list based on the food quality and quantity. Their patterns will become very consistent in time, selecting the gardens with their favourite flowers and of course those with feeders. 
Just because you see a hummingbird at a particular flower doesn't mean it's a great one. When you see multiple feedings and many returns, you will soon discover those worthy of the ultimate hummingbird garden. 
Choose wisely with your flower choices as these will be a common food for the young hummingbirds until they discover feeders. The perennial flowers that top their list will greatly vary from one end of the continent to the other. 
Ruby Throated hummingbird, 2014. N.E. of Edmonton, AB.

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