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Butterflies & Hummingbirds....

mycoupons | 23 July, 2007 06:00

Our gardening question for this week was submitted by Amber D.  of Long Island N.Y.

 Dear Annie,

My flowers beds are mostly in the sun.   What flowering plants are good to plant and easy to grow that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds?

Thanks!
Amber  D.   

 

Hi Amber!

Thanks for the question!

Actually a garden that gets full sun for the better portion of the day is a plus because both butterflies and hummingbirds like the warmth from the sun.

I love going out to the garden and watching butterflies, hummingbirds or other birds and I think it's one of the many fun things about gardening.   Early in the morning, before work,  I usually have my first cup of coffee of the day sitting out in one of my flower gardens that I specifically planted to attract  butterflies.   It's a great way to start a day!

There are many flower species you can plant to attract them, but if you have the room,  there are also shrubs that can attract them as well.

Butterflies are guided by scents and smells.  The stronger the scent the more it will attract butterflies.   Whereas,  hummingbirds are guided by sight and are especially attracted to certain shades of red.

Here's a list of some shrubs and flowers that attract either, or and both and all do great in a mostly sunny garden bed.   I grow all of these myself in my gardens, and they all are very easy to grow.


As far as shrubs,  one of the better in attracting butterflies and appropiately named .....Butterfly Bush.   Every year  I get tons of butterflies of all types on this shrub in my yard.   If you don't mind some growth and pruning,  it is one I recommend.

Perennial plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies include: Astilbe, Beebalm or otherwise know as Monarda , Blue Queen Salvia,
Canna, Coreopsis, Daylilies, Delphinium, Hollyhock, Lantana,
Phlox,  Purple Coneflower or also known as Echinacea, Scabiosa  and Red Coral Bells.

There are even several annual flowers that will attract hummingbirds and butterfiles as well.   These include:  Impatiens, Zinnia, Nicotiana or also known as Flowering Tobacco and Nasturtiums.    

As a side note, Nasturtiums are also a great flower to include in your vegetables gardens.   Aside from attracting hummingirds and butterflies, they also are a natural pest deterrent to the bad bugs you don't want.   I usually plant these along with marigolds,  another natural pest deterrent in medium sized clay pots and place them within my veggie garden.

Aside from the flowers and shrub varities I've mentioned above for attracting hummingbirds,   you will want to hang up a hummingbird feeder in your yard.    This will also help to attract and keep the hummingbirds closeby.   Be sure to fill the  feeder with the proper solution, being one part sugar and four parts water.

 

Keep on gardening!

Annie~

 If you have a qardening question you would like to see featured here on the MyCoupons Blog,  then simply submit to annie@mycoupons.com.   Only one question will be chosen from all sent.

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