Free Flash Slideshow by cu3ox.com v1.1

Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature:  Hummingbird Gardens


Hummingbirds are mainly attracted to flowers in the red spectrum, from light orange to deep purple, although they will frequent flowers with other colors. The reason they prefer red flowers is that most insects avoid red flowers thus there is more nectar in them for hummingbirds. The typical hummingbird flower is a long flared tube, which keeps out rival pollinators and invites the birds to lap up tasty nectar with their long bills and tongues.

While California hummingbirds subsist primarily on insects during late fall and winter, in spring and summer the feisty birds also take advantage of the profusion of native blooms. The Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna) is the most common hummingbird found in Southern California gardens and is also the largest of the species. The Black-chinned hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is the smallest hummingbird and can be identified by it's dark purple/blue gorget (throat patch). The coppery Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) can be easily confused with the rarer Rufous Hummingbird. Allen's have a green back whereas the Rufous has a copper back.

Female hummingbirds of every species lack the gorgets (throat patch) the males have and are generally green/gray in color. The female Allen's and Rufous will have some coppery-orange color. The following plants are hummingbird favorites and are drought-tolerant once established.
The California hummingbird found in California nature Red or Scarlet Columbine humming bird plantRed or Scarlet Columbine: Interesting red and yellow flowers. This heavy bloomer attracts hummingbirds and likes summer water, especially when located in full sun. This charming plant grows from one to over three feet high, is branching and smooth, and has pretty light-green leaves and nodding flowers, which are over an inch and a half across. The outside of the corolla is pale-scarlet, veined and tipped with yellow, the inside is yellow and the spurs are erect and three quarters of an inch long. The flower resembles the Scarlet Columbine of the East, but the plant is taller, with fewer flowers. It is common in moist, rich woods in Yosemite and the Coast Ranges, from the foothills well up to the alpine zone.

Nevin's Barberry is perfect for your California hummingbird gardenNevin's Barberry: Does well in sunny well drained locations in the Bay Area. Great companion to matilija poppy and Salvia clevelandii. Very drought tolerant but best with occasional water. Probably somewhat deer resistant. Absolutely striking in full bloom, Nevin's barberry is endemic to California, and nearly extinct in the wild. Threatened by development, road maintenance and loss of critical habitat protection in 2008, this hummingbird favorite occurs in Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Mountains and Riverside County.
The California native desert willow is a great addition to your hummingbird gardenDesert Willow: The Desert Willow is an upright shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 25 feet. The trunk grows up to 6 inches in diameter and has dark brown, scaly bark. The desert willow has beautiful trumpet-like flowers that is sure to attract hummingbirds. Drought tolerant, its showy flowers and lacy foliage make it a very attractive tree for small spaces. The desert willow is a graceful flowing California native plant with curving branches.

Baja bush snapdragon is a hummingbird favorite in California natureBaja Bush Snapdragon: This Baja native will bloom throughout the year in many Southern California areas. This hummingbird favorite prefers well drained soils. An extremely fast growing plant, the Baja bush snapdragon will grow to 3-4 feet in height and 3-4 feet wide. This California native plant should be pruned 1-2 times per year to control shape. An absolute favorite of hummingbirds, the Baja bush snapdragon is a must for your hummingbird garden.
California has several different species of humminbirds hummingbird sage is a favorite plant for California hummingbirdsHummingbird Sage: A fragrant plant, the hummingbird sage is as its name suggests, a favorite for hummingbirds. Recommended under the shade of oaks, this native California plant will slowly grow to form a colony. Hummingbird Sage is an one foot high perennial that spreads by rhizomes. This sage is native to coastal California from Napa to Orange. As the name implies Hummingbirds work this species very heavily. The regular form grows in the Santa Lucia mountains to the Santa Monica mountains under oaks.

the red fairy duster is a california native plant that often attracts hummingbirdsRed Fairyduster: Red fairyduster, or zapotillo as it is also called, is useful as a foundation planting, as an informal screen or as an accent. This California native plant is allso recommended for sunny patios. Its showy red flowers attract hummingbirds year round. Extremely heat and drought-tolerant once established, the red fairyduster is an excellent addition to your California hummingbird garden.
hoary fuchsia is a hummingbird favorite in California natureHoary Fuchsia: Hoary fuchsia is a much-branched, wooly, perennial shrub slightly woody at the base that grows to 36" in height.  Rarely glandular, it has leaves that are densely fascicled, mostly linear and generally grayish.  The flowers are composed of 4 scarlet sepals and 4 scarlet petals, and are very similar to its close relative, California fuchsia. Showy red trumpet-shaped blooms in summer and fall make the hoary fuchsia a favorite of hummingbirds. Recommended for erosion control, this California native plant seeds easily and tolerates heavy soils.

The bladderpod is a hummingbird favorite in California natureBladderpod: The Bladderpod is a showy yellow blooming plant that produces inflated, round seed pods. The leaves are fragrant, but some may find the odor unpleasant. Drought tolerant, the bladderpod also tolerates extra summer water. This California plant is deer resistant and a favorite choice for hummingbirds in California.
 
 
Website Created by Website Creations

About us      Privacy Disclaimer      Advertisers     Contact Us     Bookstore    Sitemap     Search    Floridian Nature