A Garden Designed for Entertaining Becomes a Refuge for Hummingbirds.
A New Landscape
The removal of a large oak tree from the back yard of this home in North West Gainesville became a unique opportunity to plan a new garden space. The homeowners wanted sitting areas and an outdoor living area for dining al fresco. Plants were chosen for both color and longevity, but the real surprise came with the first warm weather of spring…..Hummingbirds!
Hummingbird Facts
Three species of hummingbirds reside in Florida, but almost a dozen different species have been sighted during migration.
In North Florida, ruby-throated hummingbirds are most commonly seen, measuring only three inches long and weighing little more than a penny.
The best times to see hummingbirds are during early morning hours and in the evening, just before dusk.
Florida hummingbirds are highly territorial and compete with each other and other pollinators for nectar.
Feeders vs. Flowers
Many people that have never seen a hummingbird in their yard are amazed at how easy it is to attract these aerial acrobats. The simplest way to feed hummingbirds is to plant their favorite flowers. You can also put up a hummingbird feeder with a sugar-water nectar solution. After discovering a nectar source, hummers will return for many visits per day, as they must feed every ten to fifteen minutes. The drawback to man-made feeders is that the nectar solution must be changed out every three days to avoid bacteria turning the solution sour.
Seeing Red
Hummingbirds are famously drawn toward bright colors like red, orange, and pink. Most hummingbird feeders are red for that very reason. Many stories have been recounted of hummingbirds hovering around and checking out bright red lipstick or nail polish!
Not all hummingbird plants are red, however. The featured garden (pictured left) includes Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’ and Agapanthus ‘Blue Nile Lilly’, both in shades of blues and purples, and both appreciated by hummingbirds.
Time to Migrate
Most hummingbirds in North Florida migrate to Mexico and South America for the winter. Generally, the first frost signals the seasonal departure of hummingbirds from our area. Staying through the winter is not unheard of. The adult hummingbird’s main source of nutrition is nectar, but nesting pairs seek out flying insects to feed their young. Frosty weather usually slows down the insect population, making migration more attractive.
What’s On the Menu
Trees
Red Buckeye – Aesculus pavia
Bottlebrush – Callistemon
Chaste Tree – Vitex
Shrubs
Firebush – Hamelia patens
Red Star Hibiscus – H. coccineus
Firespike – Odontonema stricta
Perennials
Soap Aloe – Aloe saponaria
Shrimp Plant – Justicia brandegeana
Salvia – all species
Vines
Cross Vine – Bignonia
Trumpet Vine – Campsis radicans
Coral Honeysuckle – Lonicera sempervirens
Jon George is the owner of Cottage Gardens, Inc., a Gainesville-based landscape design and installation firm. Jon has been gardening in North Central Florida for more than 30 years.You may contact his staff at www.TheCottageGardener.com or at
[email protected].