I'm enjoying the hummingbirds on my flame acanthus. I have room for a few new things and want to plant something that they will enjoy. What is your favorite plant for the hummingbirds?
your favorite hummingbird plant
Firebush seems to attract them plus the bees like it too.
There are so many good ones, Flame Acanthus and Turk's cap come to mind right away.
I have a Turks cap but I don't see the hummingbirds around it as much as the flame acanthus. Of course the flame acanthus has a lot more blooms.
Black and Blue Salvia, blooms nonstop and they love it. I have had several in my Cosmos, bottlebrush, and my Desert Willow although it is a small tree. Last year my purple Porterweed had tons of hummers but for some reason it didn't come back this year.
I've tried Black and Blue and it didn't live. What conditions do you have it in?
Lantana. The hummingbirds love the blooms and then the Mockingbirds love the berries.
Carla
The hummers that frequent my yard always go for the Turk's Cap first and the Red Yucca second. They'll usually survey the lantana but rarely stay on it for more than a few seconds which makes me wonder if they're not looking more for tiny insects than nectar.
Steve
Has anyone had any luck with Porterweed? Last year I grew a huge Porterweed bush and everything loved it, including me. But to my surprise it didn't come back this year, not even a peep. I have talked to friends in colder climates who love it for hummers and I would love to give it another try but $20 for an annual doesn't appeal to me.
Joy
Tried and failed with porterweed. Mine never made it to what I'd call huge, but the blooms were eye catching the brief time I kept it alive
Its the dryness this year. Blue porterweed is a Florida invasive. We have just been too hot. Coral vines, pink crepe myrtles, red salvia, mex heather, gold lantana, are all being hit on by hummers, but there are too many hummers at one time now, Like Joy I had to up the feeders and fluids drastically this year.
The plant I had that was labeled porterweed had red flowers. Kind of like a salvia, but obviously not a salvia. Didn't keep its tag so not sure about its botanical name.
4 colors of porterweed guys. red purple blue n white. i just prefer the deeper colors, and meant our wierd weather may have contributed to its demise.
Stachytarpheta uticifolia, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Stachytarpheta mutabilis seem to be the three species of Porterweed. The first is the tall woody mounding one, the second is the Florida native that is very low to the ground, used as a ground cover and considered by many to be a weed, and the third is the coral, salmon or pink tall, woody variety.
Since I don't live in Florida, having a "native" isn't part of my choice, but first her examination online says that it is hardy zones 9-11. This has more to do with mine not coming back than anything else I suppose. I enjoyed it so much I would be willing to try it again, mulch the roots heavily, and take several stem cuttings to overwinter I case it didn't make it.
I am also going to look into fire spike as well. Several friends in FL say that both the red and the purple attract tons of hummers and butterflies. So I think it is worth considering.
Our aloes bloomed, red agave, and they were fascinated by thenm.. If the tall esperanza will get around to blooming it might help, but the flowers have bloomed nonnstop for so long that most have just quit. I am not home, but had to seperate hummers and honeybees feeders, so I know they are desperate for flowers right now.
Pic of why I like the Turk's Cap so much plus the original seeds came from the wife's father's place in Central Tx (Llano). He's now gone but she has the blooms to remember her home place and her dad.
Wonderful picture Skeeter, and such a lovely and sentimental story behind it.
I have firespike and the hummers cover it when they are here. It's blooming now, just the right time for them. They sip on the esperanza too. My neighbors across the street sit on their front porch in the morning with binoculars watching the hummers on my firespike. It's easy to root and I'll be glad to start some for anyone who wants it.
steadycam3--I would like to have a start of Firespike please.
This message was edited Sep 22, 2013 9:22 AM
steadycam3--I would like to have a start of Firespike please.
I have a question since this is my RU----So far no one has requested any of the things that are on my "have" list. Should I bring a few anyway in case someone is hesitant to ask. I realize what I have excess of aren't the natives or low water plants, so they may not be real popular with this group. I am converting to more native plants, but it takes a while to get there.
Bezzie, I'll put your name on a fire spike and would you be interested in a flame acanthus or do you already have that? You dont need anything to trade me. Ive just run out of room here at my place. The DG folks have filled my cup to overflowing. I just have a few wants left. Im happy to share. Folks shared with me in the past.
Steadycam3---Yes I would like a flame acanthus if you still have one. Anything to attract more hummers. We are getting ready to start a new bed in the front yard which is 1/2 full sun. Thanks. Perhaps I will put these on my getting list on the trade thread.
Mine love the Turk's cap and Obedience plants.