Hummingbird SUPERPLANT -Final #1

This one is for BajaBlue and all the other shut-ins, who are members of DG. While there are many top hummer plants that could be covered, this will probably be my final post. I have met some wonderful people on this forum, but I really believe the intensity of my focus sometimes tends to bore people. Hummingbirds and their special attractant plants are one of my greatest loves. I am driven to learn more, in vivo.

I will take a week or so off to get some shots at Rockport, Texas and then head to Madera Canyon area in Southern Az. for another two weeks of hiking, camping and exploring. Hummingbirds will be on their final return migration, plus I feel the call of the canyon sirens. There is nothing to compare to the profound silence of the canyons. Only rarely do you hear the call of a Raven or other bird, nor do you hear the stridulations of insects. There are no ticks or chiggers here. Only the wind sings as it cuts through scrub brush or around rock monoliths. Then you sight the explosions of color from desert wildflowers that bloom nowhere else on the planet. The sudden appearance of one or two hummingbirds hovering above the flowers will occasionally startle you. In the ambiance of silence, you feel totally insignificant and quenched. The silence can permeate your very soul and you recognize the call to be the voice of the Lord. When you break the spell and leave the canyons, you can feel the irresistible power of those sirens calling you to come back to refresh your spirits.

Senora BajaBlue, Este es por usted. Joe Lively

Joe,
You are wrong about boring DGers. I, for one, always read what you post. You have taught us many things. We have a greater appreciation of birds, plants, and nature as a result of your effort. Know that what you contribute is helpful to many more people than the participating responders. If someone is rude enough to critisize, belittle, or complain about what you have done, he is in the minority.

I have never been west. Thanks for this description of the canyons. Please post your photos and tell us the wonders that you experience. I will look forward to it!
The internet is a marvelous thing. Anytime I get enough of a forum, I unsubscribe and move on.

I, for one, have enjoyed your commentary. You have provided us with info we didn't know. And even though most of the plants you profiled I know about, there were a few I didn't. Like the one above. What is it? It is beautiful. Maybe I know and have forgotten, but I do know I have never grown this plant and I want to!

Please share before you leave us.

I have always wanted to travel the SW and have not been able to. Maybe someday.

Happy Trails to you!

Joe,
I've thoroughly enjoyed you quizzes and hope to see more. I now have a shopping list! Enjoy your trip.

Maggie

Okay. I'll suggest this one, maybe it's the right one. Standing Cypress?
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/62372/

If it is Standing Cypress I am embarassed. I planted that for the first time last year, and presently have it growing in a pot on my patio. I was late sowing the seeds and buds are just now starting to emerge. I actually saw a hummer probe the tips of the plant a couple times last week, acting like she was looking for the blooms she knew should be flowering by now.

I had one started last year...it bloomed...I think May to June this year. What is that they call it, a biennial? I can imagine a bunch of them, the hummies would go crazy! Anyway, I'm planting seeds this fall! Maybe the weather will be better next year. It struggled at times this year.

There is Ipomopsis aggregata Scarlet Gilia (Gilia aggregata) and Ipomopsis rubra Standing Cypress (Gilia rubra).

I plant I. rubra and it flowers the first year. My seed packet said I. rubra is a hardy perennial in zones 5-10 with a heavy mulch in zones 5-8 and mine, when it starts to bloom, which should be in late June, will bloom through September/October. Though it is supposed to be hardy in my area, I haven't tried planting it in the ground, yet, only potted on the patio. I am thinking of taking the plants when they are through blooming and replanting in a flower bed and see what happens next spring.

Ipomopsis aggregata is supposed to only show foliage the first year and bloom the second year and hardy in zones 4-10, according to my seed packet, but I haven't tried that variety yet.

These two are also terrific hummer plants:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/60085/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/41/

Maggie

Hey, Joe, I hope you don't disappear from these pages completely. (-:

I think you are underestimating the interest in your posts and I too enjoy the details and suggestions in your threads.

And it needn't be said that many folks here are just as enthusiastic about the HBs and have experiences from their own beautiful hummingbird gardens to discuss with you.

Besides, the HB Super Plant series was fun! And I hope it's not over.

Hope you had a great time exploring the canyons and looking forward to your next posts. (-: t.

Joe dahlin,

Thanks for your dedication.

You are Gods angel and the
Hummbers Guarduan Angel !

Please dont leave us completely.
I am crestfallen at the thought~

I am so happy your will go to
Rockport ANS Madeira Canyon.
Rockport is beautful and Madeirs
Canyon is a dream destimatiom
for me, one to which I will probably
never be able to go to. Have
heard such marvelous things
about it.

Thanks for your deducation
and love of Gods cratures.

You have been such a great
inspiration ti us and wll continue
to be so.

Please dont leave us permanently just
take a break & we will be back
jere wating for you when the
hummers have finished making
it back to their winter home.

Have you ever been to the caribbean and seen the ones there?

Big Hugs, BajaBlue

God BLess you in all your
endeavours

Que Dios te siga bendiciendo !

This is the favorite hummer plant in my yard. They go first to the Anise Sage-Black & Blue Sage, then to other flowers.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54031/

Been lurking, and hope that after your trip you will return and regale us with your experiences. Maybe a photo or two? Come on, true hummer fans are never bored. : - )
The desert is a healing place, be safe, and enjoy the journey!
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

Lovely sage! And glad you dropped in, SingingWolf! Anyone who likes hummingbirds is surely welcome here!

How pretty!
Maggie

Joe - I have really enjoyed the posts about the plants. Many of them I'd never heard of, so it was very informative.

Debra

I feel very inadaquate in my knowledge, but that doesn't keep me from appreciating yours and being able to learn what you have to devulge. Hope you reconsider; just see the humber of views to your post at the top. We may not comment but we are reading and listening. :-)

Have a safe and enlightening trip with the Lord as your guide.

A little closer…

LOL!! Cute, looks like he's been pumping iron.

My Ipomopsis rubra Standing Cypress started blooming last week. Today I snapped a picture of a hummer visiting the blooms.

Hummer Girl- Beautiful plant! I planted some seeds this spring but they didn't make it.

Maggie

I bought the seeds for the first time probably in February 2008 for the spring planting season. I planted the seeds outside in early May in the pot they were to grow in. They produced a nice full pot of Standing Cypress for the hummers. I had the pot on the patio so I could watch all the action. Very late summer I harvested seeds. This year I didn't get my seeds planted until June. I used left over seeds from the original 2008 pack and seeds I harvested, and I also upgraded to a 14" pot, so I could plant more. If it doesn't rain, I lightly water the seeds, then sprouts, everyday. It looks like everything sprouted, because the pot is jammed full of plants. I'm the type of person who can't bring herself to thin out seedlings. It is survival of the fittest around here!

When I plant seeds into pots outside on the ground, or plant annuals in pots on the ground, I put a screen about 10" high just inside the pot rim. This keeps the squirrels from jumping into the pots and digging in the soil. And for anything that eventually has to be supported, it adds a measure of support until it is time for the tall supports to be added to the pot.

Hummingbird Ballerina…

Look at the colors on your little darling! The feather details are beautiful. My photos never turn out this good.

Sweet shot GD!