Has anyone in the Philly or South Jersey area had any early hummers yet? Just wondering since we had the early spring. I have azaleas blooming now and they usually show up around that time - though it's a week or two early this year.

I put out my feeder last weekend but I still haven't seen anything here in northern Delaware yet.

Wilmington, Delaware
USDA zone 7a
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 32

Not here in my section of nw PA. Mother Nature's foolery has me waiting impatiently though.




Paula
nw PA/zone 5
heat zone 4


Click for weather forecast

Ron,
There has been a report in the Pine Barrens of NJ but that is the only report here on the forum. I haven't seen any on Journey North for Delaware MD, and only a couple of reports in PA

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I haven't seen any yet. But columbine and trumpet honeysuckle are blooming in my yard. So are the blueberries.

sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

Obviously Im not located in your area but I would anticipate several people in your area and others to have sightings within the next two weeks.

My friend over on garden web had a sighting on 4-2 and I usually am about 20 days behind his tenn. location. So that could give me a sighting at least on the same as my record sighting of last year or possibly even earlier considering the warming trend of this year.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Haven't seen any or heard of any reports in my neck of SE PA yet. With the warm up coming this week I am hopeful though. I have azaleas starting to bloom and my feeders have been up for a week or two now.

Caro
SE PA, Zone 6b

We are still a couple of weeks away from widespread arrival. Winds will be coming from the southwest starting late in the weekend. We expect the first major movement of night flying neotropical migrants to occur - the earlier stuff mainly. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds probably don't use wind assist like night flying migrants do. Their wings don't seem constructed in a way to take advantage of it.

Hi Ron!

This is our second year with two feeders in our back yard. Last year we had four visitors several times a day.

I put our feeders out on April 1st and was ecstatic when I saw one hummingbird feeding on April 8th. That's when I discovered this forum and posted my sighting. I only saw our friend for a few minutes. I am so disappointed - haven't seen any hummingbirds since.

I'm hoping to be surprised again this weekend.

Good Luck!

3 hummingbirds were at someone's feeder in Rehobeth beach yesterday afternoon. Friday someone saw a hummingbird use the columbine in their yard . It was reported this morning on the Pa listserve.

sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

Just made a fresh bat h of nectar. Honeysuckles are blooming. Come and get it!! Last year April 24th

Pam
Matawan,NJ 6B

Nada in north NJ.

Location: Northern NJ
My weather station:

In the past 2 days there are Several new reports from Maryland
Windsor Mill, Silver Springs, Sabillasville,Pocomoke City,
and from Delaware: Seaford, Georgetown,


Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

There have been sightings in the region recently, but not here yet either. Sigh.

Recent reports I've seen in the last day or two have been from...
Farmingdale, NJ
Carlisle, PA
Seaford, DE
Pocomoke City, MD

There are lots of azaleas in bloom right now. I wonder if the hummers go for them.

Caro
SE PA, Zone 6b

Caro
We had a discussion in the past week about azaleas. They are more prone to checking out the native azaleas than the ones that are from the orient. The natives bloom before they leaf out whereas the Korean and Japanese are evergreen. I believe the are more apt to use the single flowered varieties than the ones with double blooms.

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Friends in Goshen NJ had their first a couple of days ago. They are usually well ahead of me. Penny, you make a good point about single flowers, and it goes for pretty much all plants for nectaring be it bee, butterfly or hummingbird. I watered the honeysuckle and columbine the other day and I guess a feed could be hung. A few Coral Bell flowers are open also, but generally there isn't much at the moment to attract a hummingbird. The only blooming salvia at home is Teresa.

Have had a feeder up for weeks, but nothing here either. Coral H, and several salvias have started to open.

Suchie

The median gardens are really heating up now. Dancing Dolls started a few days ago, big red has flowers as do several dozen other types. The spring planting team as never gotten to see many of these salvia types in bloom. The 28th isn't too late to make cuttings of any ones that might be of interest.

I am so jealous of all you folks in NJ. If it wasn't for my Helleborus and the few scattered Johnny jump-ups that appeared out of no where a couple of years ago, my one bleeding heart and pulmonaria, I wouldn't have anything in bloom around here. Certainly none of my salvias or even my honeysuckles and crossvines that would help to attract hummers

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Penny,

We are certainly in the same boat as you in terms of what's blooming. Despite the earlier warm/hot weather, we've now dropped back down to normal and many of our newly emerging plants didn't like it. Our dwarf red buckeyes look really sad and early trumpet creeper growth was bit by the frost. Nothing much blooming except bleeding heart, pulmonaria, Virginia Bluebells and Johnny Jump Ups. Despite having 7 feeders up, we have no hummers either.



Kathi and Michael Rock
Madison, Wisconsin
Zone 4/5

Penny,

Every posting of yours convinces me that you need to move here. I know someone in NJ who has a house for sale.

Ward,

Big Red is one amazing plant and not just for the early large blooms. I started a Big Red cutting around two to three weeks back and now there are roots coming out of the bottom of the pot and the beginings of a bud. I want a back up plant in the event something happens to the original. Did Big Red survive 2010 winter at the park? That would attest to its cold hardiness too.

Suchie

Suchie,
I think I would have a hard time convincing my DH to move to NJ. I am still hoping that he will get tired of winter weather and come in one day and say we are moving south!

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I wish I could tell you Suchie but I don't know if the original seedling is still there or exactly where along the row it was located originally. On my next walk I will look around and see if that can be figured out. It may have been new the year before you received your rooted cutting. It is pretty cool in its own way, the calyx is really black and the flower is red red red red. How big did it get for you? In the park's barren dry soil they haven't grown very big. I suspect it will be hardy since nearly all the salvias we planted were hardier types.

Several honeysuckles n salvias are in bloom. Yeah!! A very small aphid problem, but I'm keeping my fingers tossed. I applied a systemic in early February and this is the first year I've had blooms on the first pass. It is so nice to see! I was beginning to think honeysuckle blooms were all brown.

I am getting so antsy! Spring fever. I am pretty sure I will be accompanying Suchie next Saturday Ward. So if you can bring me a Scarlet Spires, Oxphora, David verity, trop milkweed and any new invention you have, that would be very much appreciated. I usually am not such a plant hog, but you know my situation. Do you need a pot of lemon verbenia? I bought one and have a huge patch already. Did you ever grow the Mesa purple salvia? I could purchase one for you if you like. How about shop lights? Could you use one or two? I sold Most at a garage sale last fall, but have someleft. you need they are yours.

Ward,

Last year I planted it behind a Furman's Red and between two Roses and did not get too big (stifled, the poor thing). This year both the roses were hacked down to one main branch and Big Red is about a foot high lush bush. I feel bad for my day lilies and roses. They give me accusing looks each time they see me come in with a new Salvia.

Do you want a purple pygmy rooted cutting for the park? Hope 28th is rain free. With all the drought we are having hope that is not a very selfish thing to say.

Suchie

There have been a few more sightings in PA over the last 2 days: Downingtown, Kemblesville and Bala Cynwyd.

Thanks for the azalea info, Penny! Perhaps, if nothing else, their color will draw hummers in. Shrugs.

Caro
SE PA, Zone 6b

Caro
I have the red Japanese azaleas only because I couldn't find the Natives locally and it does help. They do check them out but don't linger very long.

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Lemon Verbena no, it scares me. Purple Pygmy yes. Pam I should be able to provide your plants. It looked like I might be a little short on David Verity but probably not. Twenty plus are returning in the garden. I recently handed over the old man DV to a friend to propagate and he has had trouble - cuttings wilted when placed too close to the lights. I have 27 to work with but since I won't been needing any things should work out. Tropical Milkweed is way behind with one flat made a week or so ago and another flat's worth still in a seedling pot. You might have direct seed which works just fine.

Yes Suchie, I hope it doesn't rain that day, but we sure need it. There might be some rain in the forecast for this Sunday. I can't recall it being this dry in mid April.

Ward,

My local farmer grows Ignea each year. I got two yesterday so while not as yummy as DV,it works. Ican get milkweed plants from rutgers. But spires.and Oxphora are no where to be found. So u don't need lights? I would donate them to your cause. Plantaholics anonymous.

Pam
Matawan,NJ 6B

Pam,

MFF has Swamp Milkweed and Butterfly weed(tuberosa). They should be coming out shortly from the greenhouse. Not sure which kind you are looking for. I was there yesterday looking for both and Harry said they should be available this week. He also has Acapulco orange and maybe red(he said one bloomed orange and the supplier may have sent him only the orange kind).

Given that your Sellovi returned, I am guessing you don't need my rooted cutting. We can try and get going as early as possible on the 28th.

Suchie

You will get your David Verity. The milkweed might be another story although seeds work really well. In the home garden I always get volunteers and they look and act no different than indoor grown seedlings.

@suchie. the swamp was out yesterday. and i like tropical and have the perrenial MW also.

@ward. no problem, maybe i will get some volunteers.



Pam
Matawan,NJ 6B

suchie,

no i will not need Sellovii!! Yeah!

Pam
Matawan,NJ 6B

Good time to buy a house in NJ Penny! Just had mine appraised for a re-finance and it's worth 10,000 LESS than what I bought it for 10 years ago, despite putting in 60,000 in improvements. Good thing I'm not retiring/moving anytime soon! You're right though, one of the nice things about NJ is spring comes much sooner. I remember driving the trip from where I lived in VT going to college driving to NJ for spring break, once you got to the southern end of the NY State Thruway everything would get greener, and greener, and greener....was like magic.

Location: Northern NJ
My weather station:

Kris you're right. I am sure our house would appraise for less than we paid too inspite of the whole new kitchen, and laundry room, Master suite and deck. With the way prices have fallen we probably could afford a bard after selling this place.

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Ok Pamski, a huge surplus of Salvia subrotunda is available - those that aren't planted here or given away to friend will probably get sold off Pat Sutton's porch if she'll do it. Subrotunda is a great patch plant as you know and might be useful if you have space to quickly fill.

Did I mention previously that I wad polish or ws it that obvious? Bring the red patch ! Sickles farm wanted $3.99 for LIR 5 inch pots. Really??? Not

Pam
Matawan,NJ 6B

Pam,

What else did Sickles have and what is WBU?

Suchie

Sickle had: S. forestfire. S. LIR s!. coral , The white x/pink s. Notoo exciting
I got some snap fragonsans acciy


Pam
Matawan,NJ 6B

Suchie
I believe WBU is Wild Birds Unlimited.

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

See what happens when i take spellcheck off? Snap dragons and i dont even know what that other word is ?

Pam
Matawan,NJ 6B

I had to laugh when I saw your post pam. Because you always teased me about my crazy mispellings but I was being good and didn't post a comment about your snapdragon snafu LOL!

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Penny,

thanks for clarifying. I thought Pam was writing in some secret code.

Suchie

Suchie
I am bad about typing and not thinking to turn the light on. Consequently my fingers go on the wrong keys and Pam always catches me before I realize what I have done and corrected it. This time it was PAM

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Did you get your hummingbird swing from Wild Birds Unlimited. They r on rt #35 across from whole foods. i though evetyone knew what WBU was!


Keep it up Penny!

OK Pam, I am happy to oblige

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I saw reports from Pine Grove and Northampton, PA on the PA Listserve today. I hope they reported their sightings to the migration maps.

Caro
SE PA, Zone 6b

There have been no reports in western NY since last month. I sure hope this isn't going to be a repeat of last year.

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

BINGO!!! Sunday 4/29/12 at 2:30 pm, male Rubythroat. Conditions are clear, 62*F, light NNW breeze. Hit on my big feeder (have a window feeder filled too but haven't seen any activity yet. Trees are all flowering, but no plants out yet, still getting freezes here at night. Only a couple days later than last year's first sighting.

Location: Northern NJ
My weather station:

I had one early yesterday morning by some Black Locusts. A bunch of orioles were mobbing a yearling Red-tailed Hawk and the hummer popped in and perched to take in the action. We worked all day around thousands of hummingbird flowers and didn't get a sniff. Black Locusts are worth paying attention to.

Ward, where are you in DE/NJ/MD/PA? I forgot and it is not listed in your post.

Location: Northern NJ
My weather station:

Ward lives in Medford, but he is Alive in the gardens of Palmyra .....

Pam
Matawan,NJ 7a

Pam, what are we going to do without you? Have you warned North Carolina you are coming? It would be sporting.

!st Birds about 4 PM at one of my feeders. They were backlit so so no details. I think I also saw from across the yard a couple chasing each other, in one of my many locust trees.

I have no garden flowers yet, (the return of winter killed my Hydrangeas after they were all leafed out), just 2 Hangup baskets.
I am in west central PA on sort of a ridge, so the growing season is about 2 weeks later than Pittsburgh. We had 4+ inches of snow when down the hill there was none, and I am still taking in my flower baskets each night.

Shhh! They think I am a mild mannered soon to be southern lady. Don't spoil my Fun! Stop looking Ward, The pruners were in my purse??? When we reached Suchie's I was dazed and tired, I knew something was missing, guess it was my brain!

Nice Redstart, they are pretty! Saw them at Sandy hook once. I wish I could go birding. But a day or even an hour with my head in the bino's causes a night of my neck screaming. Sitting on the dock of the bay will have to suffice. The sacrifices one is asked to make...

Pam
Matawan,NJ 7a