Hummingbird Summer at Roger’s Gardens: Celebrate Nature’s Most Dazzling Pollinators

Roger's Gardens is proud to offer the Hummingbird Summer Event — Roger’s Gardens is proud to offer the Hummingbird Summer Event

Imagine a tiny jewel of a bird, its iridescent throat glinting like a ruby in the sunlight as it hovers effortlessly above a blooming flower, wings beating faster than the eye can follow. Hummingbirds are nature’s marvels – dazzling, delicate, and essential to the health of our environment. This summer, Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar invites you to experience the magic of these winged wonders at its annual Hummingbird Summer event, running from July 11 through August 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This community-focused celebration is more than just a garden showcase – it’s an invitation to connect with nature, learn about conservation, and build your own backyard haven for hummingbirds.

Why Hummingbirds Matter

Hummingbirds may be small, but their ecological role is mighty. As tireless pollinators, they’re responsible for fertilizing a wide array of flowering plants, particularly those with tubular blossoms like salvias and penstemons. Their unique co-evolution with such plants ensures mutual survival – while they feed on nectar, they transfer pollen from flower to flower, sustaining ecosystems that, in turn, support bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Hummingbirds play a vital ecological role by pollinating tubular flowers, helping sustain diverse ecosystems and other wildlife.

These aerial acrobats also help control insect populations, snacking on small bugs and gnats as they zip through gardens. Their presence in your yard isn’t just beautiful – it’s a sign of a healthy, balanced environment. However, their survival is increasingly threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Events like Hummingbird Summer shine a spotlight on their importance and offer practical steps everyone can take to help.

Explore the Magic at Roger’s Gardens

At the heart of Hummingbird Summer is an immersive experience designed to educate, inspire, and delight. As you wander the paths of Roger’s Gardens, you’ll encounter lush displays of hummingbird-friendly plants – think cuphea, California fuchsia, penstemons, hummingbird sage, and pentas – all carefully selected to thrive in Southern California’s Mediterranean climate and provide ample nectar for these busy birds.

Roger’s Gardens supports wildlife conservation by matching customer donations to Sea and Sage Audubon Society, funding local habitat efforts and youth education.

Weekends bring even more opportunities to engage: members of the Sea and Sage Audubon Society will be on-site, sharing fascinating insights into hummingbird ecology and offering fun, interactive displays for families and kids. Roger’s Gardens staff will also be available daily to offer personalized gardening advice, helping you design your own pollinator paradise at home.

As part of its continued commitment to wildlife conservation, Roger’s Gardens is again partnering with the Sea and Sage Audubon Society through a special donation-matching program. Shoppers are encouraged to “round up” their purchases at checkout – Roger’s Gardens will match each donation, doubling the impact. Funds go toward local conservation efforts and youth education programs, helping the next generation understand the value of protecting our natural world. To date, the event has raised over $30,000 for Sea and Sage initiatives.

“We’re thrilled to bring the community together in support of these incredible birds,” says Ron Vanderhoff, General Manager at Roger’s Gardens. “Hummingbird Summer is a celebration of beauty, education, and purpose.”

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Learn how to create a hummingbird-friendly garden using native plants, water features, and eco-conscious practices.

One of the highlights of Hummingbird Summer is learning how to transform your own garden into a hummingbird haven. It doesn’t take much – just the right plants, a bit of water, and a pesticide-free approach to gardening.

Top 5 Hummingbird Plants for Coastal California:

Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea) – Aromatic and vibrant, a hummingbird favorite.
California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) – Late-summer blooms and striking red color.
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) – Evergreen shrubs with early blossoms.
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.) – Bell-shaped blooms in a range of bright colors.
Cuphea (Cuphea ignea) – Also known as “cigar plant,” a reliable nectar source.

Adding a mister, small fountain, or solar-powered birdbath helps hummingbirds stay cool and hydrated. Avoid pesticides and herbicides, which can harm both hummingbirds and the insects they rely on for protein. By making your garden more inviting, you also support broader biodiversity and create a peaceful, vibrant environment that benefits people as much as pollinators. Studies have shown that exposure to green spaces and wildlife contributes to mental well-being – another reason to garden with nature in mind.

Meet Orange County’s Feathered Gems

Southern California is home to several hummingbird species, but Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds are the most commonly seen in Corona del Mar and Newport Beach. The male Anna’s hummingbird dazzles with a magenta-pink throat and crown, while the male Allen’s shows off a fiery reddish-orange throat and performs buzzing, looping courtship displays.

Egyptian glass hummingbird feeders combine elegant design with functionality, attracting hummingbirds while adding beauty to your garden.

Other species occasionally seen in the region include the Costa’s, black-chinned, rufous, Calliope, and broad-tailed hummingbirds – each adding its own unique sparkle to the skies. Learning to identify these birds adds a new layer of wonder to every garden visit and encourages us to be more mindful of the delicate web of life they represent.

Community Conservation: A Shared Mission

What makes Hummingbird Summer truly special is its focus on community-driven conservation. Every plant purchased, every question asked, and every dollar donated helps protect habitats and fund educational programs that empower young people to care for the planet.

Whether you’re a lifelong gardener or a curious first-timer, this event offers the tools and inspiration to take meaningful action. Imagine neighborhoods across Orange County filled with fluttering wings, blooming plants, and children marveling at their first hummingbird sighting. That’s the future Hummingbird Summer is helping to build – one garden, one bird, and one neighbor at a time.

Don’t Miss the Magic

Make plans to visit Roger’s Gardens before August 10 to discover how you can be part of the hummingbird story. Bring the family, meet local conservationists, and leave with everything you need to start your own hummingbird-friendly garden. With helpful resources like Calscape.org and support from Roger’s Gardens experts, your backyard can become a vital oasis for these shimmering treasures. Let your garden become a beacon of beauty, biodiversity, and hope – starting this summer, with a single bloom.

And while you’re in the area, take time to explore more of Southern California’s hidden gems nearby. From botanical parks to museums and coastal adventures, SoCal is full of family-friendly spots worth visiting. Check Groupon for deals, coupons, and discounts—you could save up to 70% on attractions and experiences just minutes from Roger’s Gardens.