A Hummer of a Tale

[merryreader]

Yesterday I was transplanting a couple of vines to a more sunny location since they were 3 years old and stunted. As I was putting the second one in the ground, a hummingbird started hovering, getting closer, then darting back getting real curious! I told my husband to watch it and sure enough he kept up his antics for about a minute and a half, before flying away.( I have feeders up, but not in this area). My husband asked me what kind of vines these are. I said, a bit surprised, "Why, they are Hummingbird Vines!" That explained it.(Even though they are only a few inches tall and w/o blossums). I think he was thanking me for moving those vines to a place where they will grow and he will get to finally enjoy them. Right?? Merry

 

[justusnak]

I just love to watch the hummers around here. We have sometimes 15 and more come to the feeders. They are fun to watch. I am sure he was thanking you....just letting you know....that was a good idea! LOL

 

[BeckyLa]

That's great! We have a lot of hummingbirds here, too. Can you post a pic of your hummingbird vines? I've never heard of them and need to find things to plant in my yard for the hummers.

 

[merryreader]

One of the best plants you can grow is bee balm. there are different shades of blues and purple and white. It spreads quickly and you can dig roots(the roots are up close to the top, just beneath the soil) to plant in different locations. It grows good in full sun or all shade. The hummingbirds, butterflys and bees love it, and it smells wonderful! I also have honesuckle vines, rhodadendrums, lilacs, tons of annuals and perrenials but they like bee balm most of all. The hummingbird vine has never gotten big enough to put out flowers. Maybe this year it will. Merry

 

[Dawn419]

Merry,

Thanks for sharing that. Red is my favorite color and they follow me all over the yard whenever I wear it.

They also enjoy Touch-Me-Nots (Garden Balsam), Jewelweed, and Cypress Vine that I grow just for them. Also picked up Red Verbena, Red Pentas and a Lantana plant for them the other day. I always use them as an excuse to buy more plants.

BeckyLa...sent you an e-mail!

 

[BeckyLa]

Thanks everybody! I have been looking for plants as I'm trying to turn an area that used to have an above ground pool into a hummer haven. But with dh out of work I couldn't just up and buy the plants I wanted. Now, just this week in fact, dh has started his new job and as soon as we can get caught up on some things I'd like to get more flowers. In the meanwhile, I travel the highways with a shovel and a bucket looking for flowers. Some of my new friends have given me some, too. By next year this should be a wonderful place for hummers.

 

[merryreader]

Thanks Dawn, for those ideas. I am going to get more plants to attract them. They are on my list. Friends and neighbors are a great source for plants. Most are easy to transplant. I also get orioles, scarlet tanagers, cardinals and indigo buntings to my feeders. Of course I still get the chicadees, titmouse,nuthatchs, catbirds and woodpeckers of assorted sizes. I get more birds this time of year than in the winter. Merry

 

[Dawn419]

You're Welcome Merry!

After walking around the yard I came up with a few more plants...Penstemons (any color), Salvias & Sages, Red Hot Pokers and I've seen them visiting my Petunias and Geraniums. I blame all my critters for plant purchases now and it works like a charm! ROFL

Call me crazy but I'm working on beds for our rabbits (meat & pet), the chicks, hummers and our songbirds. Hubby doesn't complain as he realized the more I plant, the less he has to mow!

***Edited to add...http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa053001a.htm

Excellent list of Hummer's favorite plants!