Hummingbird Blogging
Annual Flowers and Herbs for Hummingbird Lovers
by Lou and Linda Gabric on 04/18/12We plant annual flowers for the striking bursts of color they provide. Hummingbirds like the color too. Annuals are great for filling in those open spots in any flower bed. Spring and early summer blooming plants like snapdragons, the native wild flower Indian Paintbrush, and fuchsias give the hummingbirds a treat before the heat loving summer annuals appear. Annuals for a sunny spot vary in their water needs and heat tolerance. Geraniums, zinnias, salvias and pentas come in a variety of colors and all attract hummingbirds. They all appreciate well draining soil and a good drink of water on hot summer days. Lantana is more drought tolerant and puts on a real show mid to late summer. Scarlet runner bean is a gorgeous annual vine for a sunny area. Hyacinth bean vine is another, often overlooked hummingbird favorite. Both vines put on long season shows with flowers, greenery and then edible beans. Pineapple sage, a tender perennial usually grown as an annual puts up a late summer stem of fragrant red nectar rich flowers that are perfect for hummingbird snacks. Other herbs known to be visited by hummingbirds are anise hyssop, mints, all sages both culinary as well as flowering. Experiment, keep notes and feel free to send me a comment to help me learn about the dietary preferences of these important pollinators!
Perennial Gardening to Attract Hummingbirds
by Lou and Linda Gabric on 04/18/12Yes, hummingbirds like red but everything doesn't have to be red.The main concern is to provide hummingbirds with nectar rich flowers in a variety of heights. There are perennials, annuals, vines and shrubs all known to be popular with hummingbirds. This post will focus on perennials. Perennials are long lived or more permanent parts of your garden. You need to keep them in mind when you are readying your garden for annuals. They come back year after year, may need divided every 3 years or so, but are important plants for hummingbirds. Hummingbirds return to the same areas year after year and expect the plants they visited last year to be there. Bee balm (monarda didyma) is a short lived perennial with tubular flowers. It is summer blooming and reseeds. Red is my favorite but lavender has also been known to attract hummingbirds. Columbine (Aquilegia) or all types attract hummingbirds. Cut spent blooms to get a second flowering Hollyhocks (alcea rosea) a biennial or short lived perennial is a tall plant with 3-6 inch funnel shaped flowers. Hummingbirds also love Delphiniums. A gorgeous flower that I have not had much luck with. I have to treat them as annuals here. I think that either our summers are too hot or that they need more water and fertilizr than I give them. Cardinal flowers are native plants that produce spikes of red flowers in the summer. They need rich soil and regular water. Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea) are wonderful plants. The foliage is spectacular in many of the varieties, The flower isn't that special for people but hummingbirds and butterlies disagree. Rose Campion is an underused, old fashioned plant that that produces magenta flowers late spring to early summer. The foliage is silvery green and is effective massed in a border. It is a short lived perennial tolerant of many soil types. It reseeds. Flowers appear on 2 year old plants. Allowing some reseeding each year insures flowers every year.
The Hummingbirds have returned to Norfork Lake!
by Lou and Linda Gabric on 04/18/12
The hummingbirds are moving into our area again! I put out the first couple of feeders this week. Typically we have a few "scouts" come through checking things out before the rest of the birds arrive. Want to attract hummingbirds to your area? Plant nectar rich flowers to attract and feed them and supplement with feeders. You don't need to buy fancy hummingbird food or beautiful feeders. The simple recipe of 1 quart filtered water and one cup of sugar heated just to boiling then cooled works perfectly. No food color required. I have tried many different typs of feeders and have found that the glass bottle that inverts into a red base with 4 feeding spots gets the most attention from the hummingbirds. If you can find one without yellow you will attract fewer bees. Food should be changed every 3 days. Place your feeders where you can enjoy them. I have found that having 3 feeders paced in a line about 20 feet long gives us the opportunity to watch the birds chase each other, while they try to guard the food!
Striper Thai Curry Style- Easy, Yummy and Quick
by Lou and Linda Gabric on 03/11/12
1 1/2 pounds striped bass filet- cut in 2 inch chunks
1 can coconut milk, 2 tablespoons bottled Thai red curry paste, 1/2 cup chicken broth
2 cups broccoli flowerets & 2 cups diced pototatoes
1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt
Blanch broccoli and potato 2 minutes in boiling water. Drain and set aside. Remove coconut cream from milk and put about 1/2 cup of the hard cream in large saucepan. Add curry paste and heat until both are melted and bubbling. Add coconut milk, broth, sugar, lime and salt and bring to boil. Add vegetables and fish and heat until fish is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Top with fresh cilantro, add sriracha or cayenne to taste. Serve with cooked rice.
New Granddaughter for Hummingbird Hideaway Resort!
by Lou and Linda Gabric on 02/27/12We are celebrating the birth of Jillian Rebecca Lenard. Our new granddaughter was born on February 23 at Herman Memorial Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas! She is gorgeous, weighed an even 6 pounds and is 20 inches long! Mom Keri, Dad Jason and sisters, Jordan and Casey are all proud and happy to have this wonderful addition to their family! Welcome Jillian. We are excited for your first visit to Hummingbird Hideaway Resort and your first boat ride on Norfork Lake.
