Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Hummingbird Guide
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Fresh nectar in a minute.
Every bag of NectarBloom™ funds the guides, the Hummingbird Trail, the lab testing, and the free care resources on this site. When you buy our nectar, you help us keep hummingbird education open, honest, and growing — for every bird lover, everywhere.
NectarBloom™ — 2 lb Bag
Fresh nectar in a minute.
No boiling, no dye. The same sugar hummingbird flowers make. One ingredient, nothing else. Makes up to 160 oz of fresh feeder nectar per bag.
- Fresh nectar in a minute: measure, stir until clear, and pour
- No boiling, no dye
- The same sugar hummingbird flowers make
- One ingredient, nothing else: 100% pure cane sugar
- Lab tested. Resealable 2 lb bag, sourced and packed in the USA
1 Bag · 2 lb
$21.99
Free shipping included
2 Bags · Season Supply
$39.88
Free shipping included
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“Your purchase isn’t just nectar — it’s how we keep this hummingbird care library free, accurate, and growing.”
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Overview
Iowa's oldest and largest public garden, the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens spans 378 acres of community-supported botanical grounds near Madrid, between Ames and Des Moines. The gardens feature over 6,000 accessioned plants including trees, shrubs, and perennials, with dedicated native woodland trails, open prairie restoration areas, and a popular Treehouse Village. Its combination of formal display gardens and naturalistic prairie and woodland trails creates varied habitat that is highly attractive to Ruby-throated Hummingbirds during summer.
Hummingbirds to Watch For
- • Ruby-throated
Most Common Hummingbird
The most commonly sighted hummingbird at Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is the Ruby-throated.
Special Guest Hummingbird
Watch for the Rufous Hummingbird. occasional late-summer vagrant (August–September)
Best Time to Visit
Plan your visit during June, July, August, September for the highest chance of hummingbird sightings. Early morning and late afternoon are typically the most active feeding times.
Plants and Habitat
- • Bee balm (*Monarda didyma* and *M. fistulosa*)
- • Cardinal flower (*Lobelia cardinalis*)
- • Wild columbine (*Aquilegia canadensis*)
- • Prairie blazing star / liatris (*Liatris spicata*)
- • Trumpet vine (*Campsis radicans*)
- • Penstemon / beardtongue (*Penstemon grandiflorus*)
NectarBloom Tip
The native woodland and prairie trails are separate from the main display gardens — pack comfortable shoes and follow the signs toward the prairie restoration plots in late July when bee balm and liatris are at peak bloom and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are most active.
Visitor Notes
Free; open dawn to dusk year-round. Trails may be muddy after rain — wear appropriate footwear. ADA accessible on main paved paths.
Reviews and Sightings
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