Hummingbird Plants & Information
There really is a lot of information about
Hummingbirds in print and on the Web. Some of it reliable, some not
so much. I've included links to some of my favorite sites here, but
there are many more that may have great information that I haven't
listed. I've also included a list of Hummingbird plants that I know
from personal experience really do attract Hummingbirds, at least in
our gardens. My main experience is
gardening in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The Ruby-Throated
Hummingbird is the only species I've ever seen in our gardens, so I
can't comment on the preferences of other species. We'll be trying
many more varieties of plants this season, so I hope to add to this
list. There are more images and information on our
Hummingbird Catalog Pages.
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Recommended
Hummingbird Plants |
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Information & Links |
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Monardas -
Beebalms
Hummingbirds seem to be attracted to all the
different Monardas I've tried, including the
straight species. I can't say that any one
variety is better than another. I usually
recommend Monarda 'Jacob Cline' because it is
such a superior, garden-worthy plant. |
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Canna indica
I see Cannas on Hummingbird lists all the time.
We've grown many of the large flowered hybrids
over the years. The birds pretty much ignore
them. Now the smaller flowered species, like
Canna indica, is a different matter. They seem
to love them. |
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Salvias -
Garden Sages
I have yet to find a New World Salvia species or
variety that Hummingbirds don't like. I've
chosen to highlight Salvia guarantica types like
Salvia 'Black & Blue' for their prolific
flowering and long bloom season. Many of the
Salvia greggii types like Salvia 'Maraschino'
would be a close second. Mid sized types like
Salvia miniata and Salvia 'Diablo' provide
brilliant red color that can't be missed by
people or Hummingbirds, and they work well in
containers. Late bloomers like Salvia madrensis
or Salvia mexicana may be too late for the main
Hummingbird season but can provide valuable fuel
for migrating birds. For more about Salvias see
our
Salvia Information Page |
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Heucheras
- Coralbells
The Heuchera sanguinea types (old fashioned
Coralbells w/ red flowers), like Heuchera
'Snow Angel' have worked best for me. Many
of the new hybrids with the fancy leaf
colors & shapes have been bred from Heuchera
villosa & other species with small white
flowers, that don't seem to be as
attractive. |
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Websites - Hummingbird Gardening
in the Upper Midwest - This is a
site maintained by Hummingbird enthusiasts
Kathi & Michael Rock in WI. There is an
extensive list of resources and a gallery of
Hummingbird flowers. You can also sign up
for their newsletter.
mywebspace.wisc.edu/mjrock/web |
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Websites -
Hummingbirds.net - Images,
videos, and FAQs. I especially like the migration map,
that gives first sighting dates on a map each spring.
They've been keeping records since 1996, so you can
make a comparison between years.
www.hummingbirds.net |
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Websites -
Operation Rubythroat
- Site navigation can be a little tricky,
but there is a wealth of information here.
Use the table of contents to find lists of
recommend plants. For teachers there are
opportunities for classroom participation,
and for individuals a chance to contribute
as a "citizen scientist" through
EarthTrek. Pretty neat!
www.rubythroat.org |
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Books
- I like most of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
21st Century Gardening Series. Their
Hummingbird
Gardens, edited by Stephen
W. Kress, is no exception. Updated in 2007,
it has all the basics, with good photos and
a nice encyclopedic section on Hummingbird
plants, divided up by regions. Available
through the
BBG Bookstore and
Amazon. |
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