Do hummers nectar from that hibiscus? I have several people reporting hummers on their hibiscus, but never see it listed as a hummer plant on this forum.
Suchie, hummers use the Hibiscus although not their first choice. They drink the nectar and since they are prone to having aphids, spent time around the base of the bloom eating insects. I love Hibiscus myself and have a number of varieties with spectacular blooms. I've been known to sneak Hibiscus home from the nursery whenever I go there for other items.
Plants vary in popularity from site to site... not sure why. For me, Pentas remain far and away the most popular hummingbird plant. Perhaps because they were the first to be planted and several years older than any other hummingbird plant in my garden.
Here is a new bed of pentas that I started this year, right across from the feeder area.
And our original bed, which is about 4 years old now and backed by more Hibiscus. I cut pentas back hard in February, and start some new cuttings with the trimmings to keep the bed going.
Those Pentas look great! I have several Pentas rooting now. In fact I think at least two have already rooted and one is started to form a flower head. I just keep pinching them back to get a better root system going since I still have 4 or 5 months to go before they can go out in the garden.
Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39
Farmer Steve: will you adopt me? I would move in a second to a home with a garden like yours. I LOVE stone work, but my stone borders are no where near as nice as yours.
Thanks everyone. The landscaping is a long-term project of mine. I started 5 years ago with a flat dirt pad cut down to bedrock. I've done all the work myself including the pergolas and stonework. The rocks (except the flagstone) are ones I've picked up on the property and/or dug from the koi pond. I also made a rose garden, fruit orchard, stone veggie garden, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, etc. etc.
We get a number of visitors to our koi pond and they are always amazed by the hummingbirds, so I made the sign up. I decided to use illustrations on wood cutouts because many of our visitors are from asia and don't read English.
Koi are referred to as "swimming jewels" and hummingbirds as "flying jewels". I guess my DW and I are both attracted to jewels.
Steve, what a beautiful garden for your hummingbirds and koi, and of course for your family too! And so impressed that you did so much of the work yourself!
And put me on your reservation list for when you open your bed & breakfast!~~my sister must live nearby you, off Palamino Road in Fallbrook. The area is such a beautiful place to visit!
Judy in Zone 6a
Cincinnati (Anderson Twp.)
Southwest Ohio
Yes Judy. Your sister lives in the grand metropolis of Fallbrook, which is about 7 miles from me. Fallbrook is a quaint little farming community and calls itself the avocado capital of the world. She would know the Deluz area from which we hail. Most other people in California have no idea where it is.... which is OK with me.