Hummingbirds deserve to be treated to their favorite plants. They’re hard working pollinators and insect eaters. And they are, after all, such a pleasure to watch. Just wait till you see a hummer hover in mid air or fly backwards! Be sure to listen for the “hum” from its wings.
Although there are sixteen species of hummingbirds in the U.S., the only one in our PA neck of the woods is the ruby-throated hummingbird. Our hummer is only three to four inches long and weighs less than two tenths of an ounce. The male has a vivid red throat, white belly, iridescent green back and a forked tail. The female lacks the red throat and has a blunt tail. Both have an ultra-long beak with a tongue to match, which is perfect for sipping nectar.
This tiny bird is truly unique. When in flight, a hummingbird’s heart beats 1200 times per minute. Their little wings beat 22 - 78 times per second. Hummers can fly about 25 to 30 miles per hour. What an awesome metabolism they must have to support that kind of activity! No wonder they’re always sipping sugary nectar.
I roll out the red carpet for the little guys every year. I entice them with scarlet red cardinal flower and black and blue salvia, but they also enjoy my hibiscus, azaleas and purple bee balm. Other plants that tickle their tongues are trumpet honeysuckle, wild columbine, bleeding heart, impatiens and scarlet sage.
Some people go to all the fuss of maintaining a special hummingbird feeder, but it’s not really necessary. Just plant their favorite flowers and let them help themselves. My cardinal flowers are planted right outside my kitchen window, so I have a front row seat when the hummers come for dinner.
If you’d like to make hummers deliriously happy, put out a water mister on a timer that turns on at a certain time of day. They’ll quickly learn what time to arrive for a bath.
Be on the lookout for PA hummingbirds in mid-April. They’ll grace your garden till September, when they begin their annual fall migration to Central America.
Need more information? Call our hortline at 610-690-2671 and ask for PSU’s PA Wildlife publication # 6, Attracting Hummingbirds. Or go to PSU Publications and Cornell Ornithology Lab.
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
August 9, 2008
Hypertufa
Learn the basics of making your own garden trough in this popular hands-on workshop. Details will be sent upon registration. Limited to 15 participants. Cost: $15 (includes materials)
September 13, 2008
Fall/Winter Garden Prep & Composting
Not sure what to do? Learn the steps for proper garden maintenance and how to compost at the same time. Take home a free compost bin. Cost: $10
The Garden Series at Haverford Township Adult School
A collection of one night classes for both the indoor and outdoor garden. Classes taught by Delaware County Master Gardeners. Take one, two or all five– and save.
For more information, go to Haverford Adult School or call 610-446-8022.
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website for a registration form.
