McCrory Gardens and South Dakota State Arboretum 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.”
Thank you for flying with us
Overview
Located on the edge of the tallgrass prairie at South Dakota State University in Brookings, McCrory Gardens is the region's only accredited botanical garden, encompassing 25 acres of formal gardens and a 45-acre state arboretum. The gardens plant over 41,000 flowers, trees, and shrubs annually and maintain extensive research trial plots. The perennial garden is a highlight, with bee balm, penstemons, and native prairie species creating rich mid-summer nectar sources. McCrory is the primary botanical destination in the eastern Dakotas.
Hummingbirds to Watch For
- • Ruby-throated
Most Common Hummingbird
The most commonly sighted hummingbird at McCrory Gardens and South Dakota State Arboretum is the Ruby-throated.
Best Time to Visit
Plan your visit during May, June, July, August, September, October 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*) — confirmed present; noted by garden educators
- • Cardinal flower (*Lobelia cardinalis*)
- • Wild columbine (*Aquilegia canadensis*)
- • Penstemon / beardtongue (*Penstemon grandiflorus*, *P. digitalis*)
- • Swamp milkweed (*Asclepias incarnata*)
- • Butterfly weed (*Asclepias tuberosa*)
NectarBloom Tip
McCrory Gardens offers free Community Days on the fourth Wednesday of every month from May through October (10am–7pm, last admission 6:30pm) — a perfect zero-cost visit. The perennial garden section is where the bee balm and cardinal flower are concentrated; ask garden staff to point you toward it on arrival.
Visitor Notes
Free; open daily year-round (dawn to dusk for gardens). Free Community Days fourth Wednesday each month May–October. ADA accessible on main garden paths.
Reviews and Sightings
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