Would this be a good variety of plants to have something in bloom for hummers from Spring through Fall in a Zone 6B garden?

Various Salvias, Coral and Goldflame honeysuckle --- mid spring to early summer. I also have Weigela's, not sure if they have any nectar, but heard their color and shape does attract them and the leaves and branches provide perching places.

Agastaches, Bee balm, Kniphofia and Crocosmia --- mid, late summer and early fall.

Salvia greggii --- coming back for the early to late fall bloom.

I am also planning on having some potted tropical plants like Canna indica/Robert kemp, Cuphea, Shrimp plant, Fuchsia gartenmeister and Hibiscus.


Suchie

Suchie,

Sounds like your off to a great start. Don't forget about Morganville Flower Farm on Rt 79. They will have some interesting annual hummingbird plants to keep things interesting. They usually open up for the season right before Easter. I have seen a little activity over there.

Also, The Spring plant swap at Steve's is early May. I'll email you the particulars. If you want to car pool we can go together. Its a definitely must see!! I'll bring some seedlings along to trade. I'll post more later, gotta run!

Ward,

If your going this year, I'll bring along those Flamingo Feather plants you wanted. They are only in the first set of leaves stage, but they'll be going strong (and I'll be looking to get rid of them) by May!!

Pam NJ 6B

Thanks Pam. Flower farm opens on April 2 and I am planning on being there on opening day. Sure, we can car pool for the various plant swaps and sales. Not sure if I am going to have any for a swap, but 'am looking forward to the sales.

I fogot about Salvia B&B in my plant list. I think that one is a mid to late summer bloomer.

Suchie

Suchie,

Salvia Lady in Red and Coral Nymph bloom in late spring/early summer I believe. They should be a staple in you garden and will reseed each year. I have plenty of those seeds if you want to plant them, or I'll probably have some seedlings in a month or so. Try to have several plants of each variety to maximize the wow factor to the hummers.

Pam NJ 6B

Pam, I don't remember the swap date. Planting days at Palmyra are May 2 and May 9 and they may conflict with the swap.

Reseeding coccinea doesn't usually bloom until late June in our area - spring started seedlings are a few weeks ahead of that.

Agastaches by and large start in mid July.

Early plants include Coral Honeysuckle, the native columbine, and old fashioned Coral Bells. If I had better soil for them I'd grow the American Native Azaleas like Pinkster. They also use Pulmonaria if any happen to still be in bloom when the early ones arrive. And you can add Red Buckeye to the list.

Salvia greggii and microphylla aren't usually in bloom early, especially in years when they are killed to the ground in winter. I wouldn't expect them before early to mid June, sometimes later. Last year they flowered as early as April, at least Cherry Queen did. That year most were flowering by mid May. Their bloom time is entirely dependent on the kind of winter we had and whether the ground warmed in April.

Pam, Ward,

Thanks for the feedback. Discovering this forum has been wonderful!! Can't stop saying it.

I started Lady in Red (cocccinea) seeds about 2 weeks back along with the Navajo red seeds that I got from Kathi. However, they are not doing anything till now. I surface sowed and have been keeping the soil moist. However, I do not have them under bright lights or anything. They are sitting on a table and getting plenty of sun during the AM hours.

I also have 2 small columbine candensis under a tree. They are showing quite a few leaves and have come through the fall planting.

So many plant swaps, sales and plantings to look forward to. Ah.... Spring.

Suchie

the columbine will probably bee the earliest bloomer out of the plants that you listed as well as the honeysuckle. Weigelia usually blooms end of May or the first o part of June. The hummers check it out but They don't hang around but it is great for early color.

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

Ward,

Plant Swap is May 3rd at 10am, No excuses!! (other than you'll probably be bone tired from all the digging) You can sit on a chair, sip a beer and talk plants can't ya?

Suchie,

I'll send you an email about the Plant Swap if you give me your email address. Mine is seafire1@aol.com. If anyone else is interested let me know, he said I should bring some friends. I just didn't want to post Steve's Swap info on our site without his permission.

Pam NJ 6B

Suchie,

Pam is right about salvias Lady in Red and Coral Nymph. They are great! Mine bllom from spring until fall..literally. They are energizer wabbits.

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

I just finished potting up 41 S. Coral Nymph seedlings. Many will be going to our local plant swap and one of my customers came by today wanting to know if I would have any salvia this year.

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

Thanks everyone. Both Coral Nymph and Lady in Red will find spots in my garden and maybe in pots.

Pam, my email address is skrishnasw@hotmail.com. Also, do I need to have plants for the swap?

Suchie

Suchie,

The email will explain all you need to know. The swap is very informal, if you have nothing you will still come home with something.

Also, you may want to try putting some clear plastic over the seed trays, it creates a moister enviroment and watering is needed less. It also keeps the temps higher which helps with germination of the seeds. Lowes/HD sell the seed trays with a plastic top. I think they are 3 for $8. You can reuse them each year.

Pam NJ 6B

thanks Pam. I'll cover them and hope for the best.

Suchie