Swapping Huckleberries
Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere. I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide. Last year, it started to look bad. I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry". This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
Wow. That is a lot of hummers for in the city. We only get 3-4. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I love watching the little critters.
ReplyDeleteIt's amusing to watch when one little bird decides it is HIS feeder and tries to keep everybody else run off.
ReplyDeleteYou are to be commended for supplying nectar. Daily keeping feeders clean and filled became a hated chore here, so I just planted more living nectar sources.
That's a pretty feeder. I used to hang one out, but I have a lot of nectar sources, so I ultimately decided to just go with those. They are so much fun to watch, we get a lot of them here in the PNW.
ReplyDeleteThat is the most beautiful hummingbird feeder I've ever seen. Is it an antique?
ReplyDeleteDanger, no it is not antique. You can buy them here at Lowe's, Home Depot and Wal-Mart. They also have a clear one and a red tinted one I would like to have.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures...pretty feeder. Master Gardeners program this month was attracting them to your garden. The "expert" says for every one you have, multiply by 5 or 6 and that's how many is your yard. Also said 15 September is the peak of birds for our area...North Alabama.
ReplyDeleteThanks Edith, that is good to know! I figured we had more than we thought all along.
ReplyDeleteLots of hummer action here in TN too. Their favorite plants seem to be the Coral Honeysuckle vines - Lonicera sempervirens. If you're looking for a natural feeder to add to this man-made one, that's the #1 plant I'd suggest.
ReplyDeleteHow I relish the thought of a Hummingbird frenzy, and would give anything to witness it. Here in the uk I sometimes see some mildly enthusiastic sparrows - not quite the same, is it !!
ReplyDeleteI read an article from the Times Daily about hummers. It said to NOT use the store bought red nectar, as it makes tumors on the hummers beaks.. I make my own sugar water, 4 part water to 1 part sugar.. They love it, and I know it is not harming them..
ReplyDeleteDonna, that is what I do too.
ReplyDeleteLove the feeder and pics of the hummer. My hummers won't share the feeders or even flowers they favor...funny birds.
ReplyDeleteEarlier this season I had humming birds visiting my gladiolas now they are visiting my loofah blossoms and my loofah vines are HUGE! Lots of blossoms that last for days. It's nice to know there are more birds than I am seeing.
ReplyDeleteGreat hummer shots! I sat outside for two hours trying to get some hummingbird photos, and, while I did get some good shots, none were great. We are planning to add more hummingbird feeders outside the glass door to our breakfast area. It really is fascinating to watch them. If you add more feeders by your kitchen nook, you will be so enchanted I doubt you will get much done around the house or garden!
ReplyDeleteI have 6 feeders up right now and plan to put a couple of more up. It's like an air raid zone. I'm wondering if the weird spring we has kept them further south this year. I posted some of mine at my turks cap lilies; they just love them, but for some reason the link to the post in July is still showing. Mary
ReplyDelete