I HAD to share what I experienced late yesterday afternoon. I was ouside observing the hummer activity when I saw several hummers checking out all my blooming flowers.

I had hummers at the salvia chiapensis, salvia "hot lips", shrimp plant, coral honeysuckle, russelia equisetiformis, manettia luteorubras, honeysuckle fuschis, devil's tears, red salvia,(probably salvia cocina), peach salvia (not sure of its name offhand), and pinapple sage. I have other hummer plants, but those are the ones I observed activity on. One hummer checked them ALL out!!

What a satisfying thrill to see all that work pay off--FINALLY!!

Too bad the red hot pokers, the salvia black & blues and the cupheas were not in bloom yet.

Funny thing, though, my monkey flower was in full bloom and nobody touched it!
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Taryne
Southern California
Zone 9

How exciting. That does make all that hard work and money spent worthwhile.

Dianne
Alabama
Zone 8

way to go, taryne! it is so much more fun and rewarding to see them at the flowers you've nurtured just for them than at the feeder.

stan
nashville, tn
usda zone6b
heat zone 7
sunset zone 33

Taryne, I know exactly how you feel. It does indeed make it all worth while

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

It is a GRRRRREAT feeling!! Thanks!

Has anyone ever had success with attracting hummers to the monkeyflower? Mine is taking off and blooming all over the place, but I haven't seen ONE hummer even check it out. I read it is one of the plants that attract hummers, but mine don't seem to care for it so far!

Taryne
Southern California
Zone 9

Taryne, by 'monkeyflower' are you referring to Mimulus. I have had hummbrats use the Mimulus aurantiacus here, never noticed them on M. cardinalis (which I have more difficulty growing) I have never seen them show any interest in any of the Mimulus hybrids that are commonly sold as 6 pack basket stuffers around here.If I'm recalling correctly Mimulus aurantiacus is sometimes referred to as ' sticky monkeyflower'
Cheri
(aka hummymummy vancouver, b.c. canadaz8)

Cheri,

I really don't know what kind it is. I need to look at the tag when I get home. Perhaps it is the wrong variety. It would be just my luck, huh? It sure is pretty. Not sure I have room for a non-hummer plant, though! Space is at a premium--LOL!!

Taryne
Southern California
Zone 9

Yes, it is a great pay-off when the hummers make good use of the bounty you provide. A little while ago, I was sitting out front sipping my third cup of coffee when I spied a fine male Ruby-throated come from the backside of a big Salvia bed near the street. He hit a dark blue hybrid Salvia that has lost its label. Went to every flower. Then Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' got a turn before he moved over to another dark blue hybrid. Salvia coccinea got a good going over too.

My special guest skipped over the yellow Russelia equisetiformis and a Cuphea 'Pink Flamingo' before taking on Salvia 'Purple Majesty'. At that point, he had to make a choice - Cuphea 'David Verity' in the neighbor's yard or a pink Salvia microphylla. The Cuphea 'David Verity' won out. A couple of minutes later, he was busy working over the red Russelia equisetiformis. It is so satisfying to know your hard work is appreciated!

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Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibri
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9
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Taryne, isn't it great to see the "little ones" enjoying the fruits of your labor? Makes all the planning and hard work very worthwhile.





Linda
OKC, OK

There are hummingbirds at the end of all that hard work. Thats great, enjoy.


Berta + Mike
Las Vegas, NV.
USDA Zone 10A
AHS Heat Zone 10
Sunset Zone 1