When
planting a garden to attract hummingbirds, use a variety of
flowering shrubs with a quantity sufficient to provide an abundance
of color all year. For our southwest gardens, here are some
great choices:
Autumn
sage ‑ Best planted in morning sun or filtered light.
Mexican
honeysuckle ‑ May be planted in light shade filtered light
or full sun.
Chuparosa
‑ This native to the Southwest has bright flowers with
a cucumber fragrance and taste. Plant in full sun.
Penstemon
varieties ‑ Plant in full sun these tall stalkers add
lots of color.
Buddleia
‑ Plant in full sun or partial shade.
Fuchsias
‑ Best used in hanging baskets in shade.
Cherry
red salvia ‑ This fire red plant is best planted in full
sun.
Petunias
‑ This annual produces great winter color in the Southwest.
Red is preferred.
Desert
willow ‑ Especially the burgundy variety. This tree is
deciduous during the winter months. Plant in full sun.
Ocotillo
‑ These bright red orange flowers can be elusive on new
transplants.
Shrimp
plant ‑ This delicate looking plant will grow best in
shade.
Lantana
spp. ‑ Plant the Lantana camara (“Dallas red” or “Radiation
bush”) in full sun. This plant is
susceptible to frost.
Cape
honeysuckle ‑ This dark green plant with brilliant orange‑red
flowers can be planted in full sun to partial shade.
Baja
fairy duster ‑ A native to the Sonoran deserts. Plant
in full sun.
Bottlebrush
‑ Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Hall’s
honeysuckle ‑ This fast‑growing vine can be planted
in full sun to partial shade.
Zauschneria
‑ Plant in full sun.
Cuphea
‑ Plant in partial sun, or in areas with morning sun.
Hummingbird
feeders are another method to increase the number of hummingbirds
in your yard. There are some very beautiful styles available
and you’re not limited to one that is clear or red.
I’ve
found that mixing my own nectar is easy and works as well, if
not better, than purchased mixes.
Use 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. Bring the water to
a boil, stir in sugar and boil for two to three minutes.
There
is no need to add red food coloring. As some question whether
the red dyes are carcinogenic, I prefer to keep things simple
and our hummingbirds safe.
As
for the other native birds in the area, I use several methods
to keep them fed and happy. For example,
I place a few pre‑made blocks of grain mixed with suet
around my property. This helps feed the quail and doves, although
doves would rather be fed lose grain, especially saffron, millet,
and sunflower seed.
Feeding
finches is easier with the hanging type feeder designed to hold
thistle. And one really neat way to attract and feed birds is
to place a suctioned feeder to your sliding glass doors or windows.
The birds will fly right up to your window to feed, giving you
a bird’s eye view of them.
Listen
to Craig Saturday mornings from 6 to 7 a.m. on KFNX 1100AM talk
radio and watch his new TV show, “The Carefree Gardener–With
A Little Help From Our Friends” on KPNX‑TV 12, Saturdays
from 5 to 6 a.m.
If
you have any landscape or garden questions you would like answered,
e‑mail your questions to
AskCraig@carefreegardens.net
or fax your questions to Carefree Gardens “Ask Craig” at
(623) 742‑7216. Part articles can be found at www.carefreegardens.net.
