HUMMINGBIRDS CANADA
  • HUMMINGBIRDS OF CANADA
  • REPORT A HUMMINGBIRD SIGHTING
  • PRODUCTS
  • HUMMING BLOG
  • PRODUCT REVIEWS
  • GARDEN BLOG
  • FLOWERS
  • HUMMINGBIRD FLICKS
  • CONTACT
  • RETAILER INFO.
  • Archives
  • HUMMINGBIRDS OF CANADA
  • REPORT A HUMMINGBIRD SIGHTING
  • PRODUCTS
  • HUMMING BLOG
  • PRODUCT REVIEWS
  • GARDEN BLOG
  • FLOWERS
  • HUMMINGBIRD FLICKS
  • CONTACT
  • RETAILER INFO.
  • Archives

Humming Blog

Flowers in Succession

4/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
     ​2 years ago, Spring arrived very early. Rufous hummingbirds made it to Alberta just after Mid-April. This year, snow covers most of the Province, with more snow to come. With the ground still frozen, plants will struggle to flower even a month from now. There are positives to a late Spring though. 2 years ago, many of my perennials came up far too early, including my favorite Delphiniums. They flowered far too early, which left slim pickin's for the young hummingbirds leaving the nest in early August. Even though I loved having an early Spring in 2016, it made things a bit difficult for the young hummingbirds before their southern journey. I've never seen a Spring this late in my region, so as long as my perennials survive this long winter, I'm hopeful that my Delphiniums with be in full bloom at just the right time. 
     This is good reason for planting a great selection of hummingbird plants that grow in succession. If you choose a garden that blooms heavy in Spring, you'll have little choice for young hummingbirds later on. Try and choose some plants for early in the season, and then bloomers shortly after that, and continue that pattern throughout the summer up until the time they leave your region. Here's my sequence of bloomer from start to finish.

Picture
EARLY: ​Bergenias and Bluebird Clematis are early bloomers in my region.
SPRING/SUMMER: Lupines, Siberian Iris, Honeysuckle
SUMMER: Delphiniums, Ligularia, Hostas, Maltese Cross, Veronica. This is the time of year that I have this series of plants coming up thick, and in many areas around my garden. I plan heavily for this time of year for when the young hummingbirds leave the nest and are in desperate search of nectar. My peak time in Alberta is July 23 - August 23. 

To compliment the perennials at their different times, I always have a good selection of nectar filled annuals such as, Zinnias, Vining Nasturtiums, Million Bells(Calibrachoa), Petunias, Cosmos and Fuchsias. Annuals continuously bloom, so they have value from Spring through til frost. 

Picture
Picture
Picture
Planting in succession will make sure you have variety of hummingbird favorites from the time they arrive to the time they leave. Even if the season is affected like this year will certainly be, your hummingbirds will not be short of options. 

     This young male Ruby-throat hummingbird spent most of its time in the Delphiniums, but found some value in this Himalayan Balsam. N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. August 2017. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2022
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    March 2014
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012

    Categories

    All
    Annuals
    Canada
    Flowers
    Gardening
    How To Attract Hummingbirds
    How To Attract Hummingbirds In Canada
    Hummingbird Books
    Hummingbird Ebooks
    Hummingbird Guidebook
    Hummingbird Migration
    Hummingbirds
    Indoor Gardening
    Indoor Planting
    Jewel Of The North
    Michael Wiens
    Migration
    Perennials
    Springtime
    Start Your Seeds

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HUMMINGBIRDS OF CANADA
  • REPORT A HUMMINGBIRD SIGHTING
  • PRODUCTS
  • HUMMING BLOG
  • PRODUCT REVIEWS
  • GARDEN BLOG
  • FLOWERS
  • HUMMINGBIRD FLICKS
  • CONTACT
  • RETAILER INFO.
  • Archives