Sunday, July 11, 2010

It worked!

Several weeks ago, I prepared this container to attract hummingbirds to my deck. I love to see them and I prefer to grow flowers for them rather than try to remember to fill a feeder for them. This particular pot has Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) and Salvia coccinea. Oh, and some Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima).




I used a tomato cage turned upside down to create a tuteur for the vine and, more importantly, to make a resting place for a little hummer to sit. When I lived in California, I noticed that the little hummers would perch if there was a spot for them in their flowers. So now I like to provide that place when I can.



The plants were a little slow in reviving from being transplanted (they had reseeded themselves) as it was just a tad warm. There's an understatement for you! But they survived and started filling out. And I waited for a hummingbird to show up.



We have seen hummers other places in the garden. However, they have seemed oblivious to this particular collection that I had provided for them. The Yellow Shrimp Plant is also supposed to attract hummers. Maybe they knew I was watching for them through the sliding glass doors and were being coy.



Then yesterday, we were sitting at the table, eating breakfast, when Kirstin said, "Look! A hummingbird!" My back was to the doors so I turned and there indeed was a little hummer going to the Salvia! And it sat for a moment on the perch I had provided for it! As you can imagine, I was thrilled.


{Salvia coccinea, elsewhere in my garden}
Have a beautiful day!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! It's great that your plan worked! :)

~ K ~

Anonymous said...

Hooray!!! That is so exciting!! :)

~Anne~