Do humngbirds use Verbena?


I changed this thread because I forgot the url for the thread I was referring to and can't find it again. Is it me or is the search feature hard to navigate?

Pam NJ 6B

Pam
They never used my verbena but I think they will use Verbena bonariensis some but it is mainly a butterfly plant

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

Penny, I have never seen them use Brazilian Verbena and it has been a part of the garden as long as I can remember. On a related subject I think the value of Verbena as a nectar plant for butterflies is over-played. There is no question the bonariensis is a number one nectar source for butterflies because of their constant patronage, but I'm not so sure of the others. I've never seen a single butterfly on Homestead Purple or any of the other sprawling hybrids. I guess that is because butterflies don't read tags.

I only had a basket of traily red verbena one year because I tried it in a hanging basket but I got rid of it before the end of the summer.

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

Glad to hear this because I almost bought some today. Changed my mind and made my deckrail boxed with Tequila Million bells and Portulaca today. That area on the deck get full sun all day no cover and the Portulaca always does well. Hopefully the hummers will chack out the Million bells, if not there is plenty around for them, these iwll be for me. I like the oranges, yellows and reds, reminds me of desert sunsets. It pays to shop around. I found 4 inch green pots of Million bells for 4/$11. One place wanted $6 a piece.

That was the cheapest anywhere. And 8 six packs of the trailing Portulaca for $12.99. Can't beat that in NJ. When they fill in I'll take a pic, I'm quite happy with the way they came out.

Pam NJ 6B

Last summer I saw a hummer visiting verbena just once. It may be better than nothing but I wouldn't consider it a hit with the hummers.

I bought 2 4in. pts yesterday for 3.99 a [oece amd put them in small hanging baskets until they fil out and then will transfer them to larger pots. I hated to spend that much but it is cheaper than buying the made up baskets and they will grow and fill out the whole basket in no time. I tested each color for nectar and the deep read and apricot seemed thave more nectar than the other colors. I bought the Apricot with the red centers.

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