Reasons Why Hummingbirds Should visit ME

Category: Garden Wildlife | Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:56 am

We have been at this house for almost a year, but I have yet to attract a hummingbird here. I religiously clean and refill my feeders each week, but I've yet to spot one of the little devils visiting.

Here are reasons that a hummingbird should consider visiting MY yard.

1. I've got a hummingbird tattoo on my right ankle...I got it in a moment of madness, but immediately the next day I had a hummingbird visitor at my last house. (I don't think I want another tattoo though....)

2. I've planted trumpet vines for them, and plan to train the vines over a large arbor.....

3. I've planted 8 hummingbird mint (agastache) plants, and have more coming from seeds.

4. I have many vines with tubular or cup shaped flowers, mandevilla,jasmine, cathedral bells and morning glories.

5. I have two lovely hummingbird feeders, one in the front yard and one in the back.

6. I just bought and planted 7 Cestrum plants called "Bacchus" they have tubular wine red flowers. I moved all my gardenias and hydrangeas so that I will have a hedge of these...just for the hummingbirds.

7. I have planted a hanging basket with cardinal vine...to create a hanging hummingbird garden.

8. I have all kinds of subtle hummingbird themed garden art...windchimes, garden stakes, thermometer...just to give them the hint.

9. If they would visit me, I'd consider buying them this: http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=PAR-CHB , a hummingbird feeder chandelier, to hang beneath the arbor.

10. Just because!

If they don't show when the cestrum blooms I don't know what else I can do.

I blew it, really. They usually show up here in early to late March...they are here all year round, but more show up in early spring....I was having some health issues and was unable to be as vigilant with filling the feeders....hopefully I don't have to wait until NEXT March!

On a more positive note, I did get a visit from my favorite type of butterfly, a zebra longwing. I hadn't seen any since we moved here and I've planted their larval host plants with hope of a visit...if you plant it, they will come...I hope that is true in the case of the hummers too.

Last edited: Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:59 am

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eileen wrote on Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:04 am:

Well your garden sounds like a paradise for hummingbirds to me so I'll keep everything tightly crossed for you that soon you'll be telling us that you've been inundated with little hummers!!

hummingbird3172 wrote on Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:51 am:

Thanks Eileen! That is what I'm going for...I want to step outside and have butterflies, hummingbirds, and song birds flitting about. I'm there with the songbirds, and getting closer with the butterflies....

bethie wrote on Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:03 am:

I think they may show at any time. Who COULD resist? That cestrum sounds lovely. I want to see it when it blooms.I'm a big fan. Have you ever grown the heavenly scented cestrum nocturnum? Good hummer vibes coming out to you.

Frank wrote on Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:26 am:

I think you need to put a front page advert in the "Hummingbird Daily News" so that the little guys can learn about your garden. It'll be costly but you'll be overrun before you know it!

Seriously though I really hope you get your wish HB. And I hope you are feeling better.

// Frank

Jo wrote on Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:43 pm:

If it is any help I'd visit your yard for sure if I were a hummer. It sounds so inviting. Maybe you will have hummers soon. I had them then they went away for a bit, but now they are back, I guess they were nesting.

Jo

Chitweed wrote on Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:44 pm:

I don't want to make you jealous, but I have a few at home and even more at work.
If I can catch one, I will certainly tell them to tell their southern cousins where to go for a good healthy meal, and the best of accomodations. :)

hummingbird3172 wrote on Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:58 pm:

Bethie, I do have some of the Night Blooming Jasmine...I'm kind of Jasmine freak I guess, I've got about 5 different types... this is a link with a picture of the type of cestrum: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220121803356&rd=1&rd=1 .

Frank, that is a good suggestion..lol. It would be worth the cost to be overrun...that must be one tiny newspaper!

Jo, it does help...because it validates my claim to have a hummingbird-tempting garden. My songbirds understand that I do these things for their benefit...they always like to see what I put out.

Chitweed, I am fiendishly jealous, but that is OK, I will live vicariously through your hummingbird experiences...lol.

On another positive note the hydrangeas seem very pleased with the move...they get nice filtered sunlight all day...now to get them back to blue!