Saturday, August 18, 2018

In the Garden -- Spring-flowering Hummingbird Magnets

Ruth de Jauregui

Female Anna's Humminbird
Credit: BryanHanson / Morguefile.com
The little buzzing birds that provide hours of amusement and flock to your feeders enjoy nectar from flowers and tiny insects. While feeders are wonderful for supplemental and winter nourishment, you can attract more hummingbirds to your garden by planting a selection of flowering plants, shrubs and trees that flower in succession through the growing season.

While hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers, they don't limit themselves. Any brightly colored, tubular flower is a welcome addition to the garden. Add fast growing annuals to attract not just hummingbirds, but also bees and butterflies.

The following spring-flowering plants, shrubs and trees are just a few suggestions for the hummingbird lover. Nearly any flowering plant that produces nectar will attract a hungry hummer.

Lupine
Credit: lisaleo / Morguefile.com
The lupines are early bloomers. Available in both annual and perennial varieties, the seeds may be planted in early spring in nearly any climate. Alternately, plant seeds in late spring to overwinter and produce blossoms the following spring. Lupines prefer full sun and are drought tolerant once established in the garden. Depending on the variety, lupines range from 12 to 48 inches tall. An added bonus: Lupines are deer resistant. In addition to lupines, wildflowers such as California and Mexican poppies, poppy mallow and red columbine bloom through spring and early summer.

Citrus trees begin blooming in early winter and continue through spring and summer. Lemon trees may bloom year round in warm climates. While citrus trees are hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10, dwarf plants may be grown in pots and taken indoors when cold weather threatens. Hummingbirds not only flock to the fragrant flowers, they also use the dense, evergreen foliage as shelter and a nesting area.

Fruit trees, such as apple, cherry, plum and peach also provide nectar and shelter to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies in spring. Later in the season, the hummers will feed on the tiny pests that congregate around trees, such as aphids, fruit flies, gnats and whiteflies.

Native Honeysuckle
Credit: mrmac04 / Morguefile.com
Spring blooming shrubs, such as azalea and red buckeye aka firecracker plant, and vines like trumpet honeysuckle and crossvine, attract both local and migrating hummingbirds to their profuse blossoms. The vines happily clamber over fences, walls, trellises and even dead trees.

No matter what flowers you select for the garden, native plants are usually the best choice for your local climate and soils. Then fill in with plants adapted to similar climates to ensure that your garden will thrive without requiring extra water and fertilizer.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Credit: pippalou / Morguefile.com
Remember, if you're using sugar water to supplement their diet, use 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the solution and let it cool before filling the feeders. Never use honey or red dye. Change the solution in the feeders weekly in cool weather and every two to three days in hot weather.

The next In the Garden will focus on summer flowers for hummingbirds.


#hummingbird  #InTheGarden  #RuthDJ  #OurAuthorGang

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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on #OurAuthorGang, author Ruth de Jauregui​ tells about planting flowers to attract hummingbirds.
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Joe Bonadonna

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I love hummingbirds, but a green thumb I do not have!
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+Joe Bonadonna What? That's terrible. I'm so sorry.
 
+Ruth de Jauregui -- indeed! I love having birds in the courtyard.

Joanne Jaytanie via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
If you are a hummingbird lover, stop by and read today's blog. #OurAuthorGang.
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Joanne Jaytanie

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I love hummingbirds. They come back to our yard eariler every year. This year I saw my first one in early March. We get lots of them. I usually have 3-4 feeders and I always make my own syrup.
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Smart and economical!! That red dye isn't good for the hummers, so store-bought products are basically expensive sugar water with some red coloring.

Chris Weigand via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
A little gardening advice with Ruth.
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Thank you! I love writing gardening topics!

Erika M Szabo shared this via Google+

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Erika M Szabo

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I love hummingbirds and we always have up to 4-5 pairs nesting around the property and come to the windowsill to feed :) This year I saw a ruby throated one the first time.
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Oh my gosh, you are so lucky!
 
+Ruth de Jauregui They love this secluded spot surrounded by mountains. I guess because we're protected from extreme storms

Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
My own contribution to #OurAuthorGang today. Spring flowers to attract hummingbirds to the garden. I love the little hummers, they always make me think of my Grandma, who was also tiny and ornery. (Grandma will appear in a scene in my WIP, Bitter Nights. <3 )
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Grace Au

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Love your gardening series, Ruth! Love hummingbirds. I have an occasional one or two that flit by in the summer.
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I'll bet there's more than you think. Feeders attract hummers. They also eat a variety of small insects, so they're definitely an asset in the garden. Even when they buzz past and startle you, LOL.

Nikki McDonagh

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great post full of excellent advice. I wish we had humming birds in the UK.
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+Erika M Szabo Most live south of the border, in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. They are amazing.
 
+Ruth de Jauregui yes, they're amazing little creatures!

Toi Thomas via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, Ruth de Jauregui​ shares tips and flowers for attracting hummings birds in your garden. #OurAuthorGang
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+Ruth de Jauregui I never paid much attention to them until I visited family in the mountains. They had feeders all around and the hummingbirds so busy everyday. I look forward to watching them whenever we go back to visit.
 
+Toi Thomas They are fascinating. And their antics when guarding the feeders! (I think hummers only know cuss words!)

Lorraine Carey

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Really valuable information here, Ruth. Being I love hummingbirds I am taking your advice. We are moving into our home in October here and I want to attract these beautiful birds. Thank you for sharing this.
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+Lorraine Carey Thank you! I hope you have time to get your garden together so you have spring flowers for the hummingbirds.
 
+Ruth de Jauregui Me too. Lots to do with moving into that new house. It took so much out of me with moving from the island where we lived for 9 years. I think it took 5 years off my life. xx

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