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Q&A - How to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees to a shady yard.

Question:
I would like to attract hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Bees to my backyard. The area is shaded until the late evening. What plants could I use? 

Answer:
To attract those species you need to provide a source of food and a place to raise young. Unfortunately, most flowering plants that would attract those animals are not shade tolerant. There are several plants that flower before trees leaf that can attract these animals. Another option is to plant host plants for butterfly larvae. Most butterfly caterpillars feed on only one or two types of plants so planting those would attract adults looking to lay eggs. To attract humming birds you can hang feeders or provide a misty area for them. A water feature also may attract butterflies and bees.

Related Videos:
Planting a Butterfly Garden
Hummingbirds
Hanging a Hummingbird Feeder

Related Resources:
How to Create a Bee-­Friendly Landscape
Attracting Butterflies to Your Yard
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Property
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  • Home
  • Watch
    • TV Schedule
    • Full Episodes Online
    • How-to and Informational
    • Questions and Answers
    • This Week in the Garden
    • Garden Notes
  • Garden Topic Collections
    • Apple Trees: How-to and Information
    • Peach Trees: How-to and Information
    • Tomatoes: How-to and Information
    • Square Foot Garden Blog
  • Resources
    • Soil Testing
    • Extension Publications
    • Gardening Resources
    • Blogs
    • Organic Gardening
    • Articles
    • Privacy
  • Guests
  • Contact Us
    • Ask a Gardening Gardening Question
  • Search