Hummingbird Feeder

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

I have my FIRST hummingbird feeder and I'm going to make some nectar using the recipe from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. I have a trellis that has a little hook and I'll attach the feeder to it.

Any tips for attracting hummingbirds? The feeder has a red top and base. Growing on the trellis is a purple clematis that I planted last week - it was in a one gallon container so it's not too small, but it will probably not bloom this year. I've also planted a large butterfly bush with pink flowers. Yesterday I planted a small lavender plant (my favorite!) and a pink catnip (another first!).

Today I trimmed two huge holly shrubs and cut down low hanging branches from a couple of pine trees. Michael mulched a flower bed and Alannah made mud pies.

I LOVE GARDENING!!!! It's a great family hobby!!

[Christie Frachioni]

What FUN!! What do butterflies and hummingbirds like? BRIGHT flowers. Yellows and reds, mostly. Some purples. And the water-sugar mix for feeders is easy to remember: Just look at your hand... 4:1 ratio of water to sugar.

Can't WAIT to see some good photos of your garden visitors!

[sandilyn]

Oh Stacey, just keep it filled and the hummingbirds will find it! You will love watching them at the feeder- The first year I put mine up I planted red petunias in a pot nearby- but I also put one on the other side of the house, with no flowers nearby and they found it in a couple of days. I have butterfly bushes too, last year I had about 15 or more butterflies flying around them at a time during the summer. Have fun!

[Debb Cozzi]

Yep Christie and Sandi both have it right....4:1 and just wait a few days! I have a funny story about hummingbirds. I LOVE them, I sure hope that heaven is filled with them because they just delight my heart. Well.....about ten years ago we put a ton of work into our patio, planted a beautiful garden, window boxes, lots of lovely shade trees, hanging plants everywhere, a garden table & chairs...ah....lovely. Of course, I had to have a hummingbird feeder. You do know they are territorial right Stacey?

So every evening we would sit on the patio and watch the hummers 'joust.' I got to thinking, maybe if I put another feeder up they won't 'fight' as much (it was getting kind of treacherous to walk around the patio about 4:00 every afternoon). So, I put another one up. Did that help? Nope, just attracted MORE hummers.....hmmmmm......I got to thinking....I wonder just how MANY hummers we could attract....so out I ran and bought another THREE feeders. I'll tell you we had so MANY hummers flying around the patio that you could justifiably call them a swarm!!!! It got to the point where I was going through almost a pound of sugar every week!!!!!!!! At one point, my hubby was helping me put away groceries and he asked what in the world was I doing with a 20-pound bag of sugar!! I explained to him it was for my hummers, OF COURSE!!!

He scratched his head and said, "um......so are you planning on harvesting them at some point or what?!!" "HARVEST THEM!!!!!:eek: :eek: ahhhh....MEN!! Sometimes they just don't understand the finer things in life!!:p :D

(Don't you pity him? Sometimes I can be sooooooooo blonde!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)


(AND..................I NEED MORE SMILIES, DOG-GONE-IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Sandersmr]

We don't get hummers in my little area - we do through the greater area - but only during migration - EXCEPT I have had one show up 2 different Augusts - the hottest month here.

Stacey - don't forget to change out your solution regularly. Bacteria will love the sugar water as well.

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Well, the feeder has been out for about 14 hours and no hummers yet. :) I received three perennials this weekend and will be planting in the bed where the feeder is located. I may pick up some red geraniums and petunias as added incentive!