Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are a delight in the garden, adding a dimension of wonder at their tiny size and voracious appetites. Drought, disturbed habitats, and abuse of chemicals have reduced the hummingbird population. You can play an important role in their conservation by creating a habitat for them. They may favor flowers in shades of red, but they like an abundance of flowers of many colors. Narrow, tubular, or pendant flowers are best suited to the elongated beak and tongue of the hummingbird, which feeds almost constantly. Shrubs, vines and trees provide shelter, perching and nesting spots.
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species to nest east of the Mississippi River. (Sphinx moths are similar in appearance and are often mistaken for hummingbirds.) The ruby-throated hummingbird begins its migration northward, across the Gulf of Mexico, as early as late February. They arrive in the MidAtlantic area in April.
Once the hummingbirds discover a garden, they will return year after year. The best way to draw hummingbirds and encourage them to stay is to provide both hummingbird feeders and nectar producing plants in your garden. If you are late to hang a feeder you may see a hummingbird hovering where the feeder was last year! Choose plants that catch the eye of migrating hummingbirds early in the season. Then provide continuous bright, flowering, nectar producing plants through out the season. Use a vine-covered trellis or fence and large dense shrubs to establish a feeding territory. Fill hanging baskets and window boxes with flowers to enjoy close-up observation of hummingbirds.
Some small insects are important to the hummingbird diet. If you must control insects in the hummingbird garden, use insecticidal soaps. It is important to avoid using fungicides and insecticides, especially systemics, in the hummingbird garden because the poison can be carried in the flower nectar.
Hummingbird food can be purchased or made at home. Follow the directions or use one part cane sugar to four parts boiling water. Boil the water, then measure it, then add the sugar. This way you obtain the correct concentration. Fill the feeder after the syrup has cooled. Store left over syrup in the refrigerator for one week. It is very important to clean the feeder thoroughly once every week as the syrup can ferment and spoil, harming the hummingbirds.
PLANTS THAT ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS
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PERENNIALS
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BOTANICAL NAME
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COMMON NAME
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Alcea
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Hollyhock
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Asclepias
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Butterfly Weed
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Aquilega
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Columbine
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Buddleia
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Butterfly Bush
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Centranthus
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Red Valerian
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Chelone
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Pink Turtleheads
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Ceratostigma
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Leadwort
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Crocosmia
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Crocosmia
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Dianthus
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Sweet William
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Dicentra
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Bleeding Hearts
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Digitalis
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Foxglove
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Delphinium
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Larkspur
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Echinacea
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Purple Cone Flower
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Echinops
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Globe Thistle
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Heuchera
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Coral Bells
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Hemerocallis
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Daylily
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Hibiscus
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Tropical/Hardy Hibiscus
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Iris
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Iris
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Kniphofia
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Red Hot Poker
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Liatris
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Gayfeather
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Lilium
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Lilly
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Lobelia
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Cardinal Flower
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Lychnis
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Lychnis
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Lupinus
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Lupine
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Monarda
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Bee Balm
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Nepeta
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Catmint
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Penstemon
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Penstemon
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Phlox
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Creeping Phlox and Summer Phlox
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Physostegia
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False Dragonhead
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Platycodon
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Japanese Balloon Flowers
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Rubeckia
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Black-eyed-Susan
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Scabiosa
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Pincushion Flower
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Verbena
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Verbena
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ANNUALS
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Canna
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Canna
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Dianthus
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Sweet William
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Fuchsia
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Fuchsia
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Hibiscus
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Tropical/Hardy
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Impatiens
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Impatiens
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Justica
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Shrimp Plant
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Lantana
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Lantana
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Mirabilis
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Four-o-clocks
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Nicotiana
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Flowering Tobacco
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Salvia
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Salvia
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Schlumbergera
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Christmas Cactus
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Zinnia
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Zinnia
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SHRUBS
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Abelia
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Glossy Abelia
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Althea
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Rose-of-Sharon
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Azalea
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Azalea
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Buddleia
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Butterfly Bush
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Camellia sasanqua
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Sasanqua Camellia
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Chaenomeles
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Flowering Quince
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Elaeagnus
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Russian Olive
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Jasminum
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Winter Jasmine
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Mahonia
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Oregon Grape Holly
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Rhododendron
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Rhododendron
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Syringa
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Common Lilac
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Viburnum
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Viburnum
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Vitex
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Chaste Tree
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Weigela
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Old Fashion Weigela
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Yucca
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Yucca
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TREES
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Aesculus
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Horse Chestnut
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Albizia
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Mimosa
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Liriodendron
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Tulip Poplar
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Malus
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Crabapple
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Prunus
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Cherry Tree
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Ribes
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Currant
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Robinia
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Black Locust
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Sophora
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Pagoda
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