I have a small patch of pink turtlehead (Chelone obliqua, Zone 4), sometimes called twisted shell flower, a perennial that blooms in late summer through early fall. They send up 30-inch (75-cm) spikes of hooded pink-purple blooms, similar to the violet-blue helmet flowers of ‘Bressingham Spire’ monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii, Zone 3). The monkshood begins blooming a little … [Read more...] about Hummingbirds love the nectar from turtlehead
hummingbirds
Anise hyssop for busy bees
This has been a good summer for the three clumps of anise hyssop (Agastache cvs.) in my front garden. Anise hyssop is a generous producer of potent nectar, and that fits right in with my interest in the honey bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and tiny hover wasps that work so hard pollinating the vegetables, grains and fruits for our table. I always hear a slight buzz in the … [Read more...] about Anise hyssop for busy bees
Scented petunias
Someone has been fooling around with the petunia genes and it could be a good thing. Petunias in my garden last summer were puffing out a heady scent after dusk from their long tube throats, the kind of deep nectar repository hummingbirds look for. I spend quite a bit of time thinking of ways to entice my little hummer to stay longer in the garden, so I’m interested in knowing … [Read more...] about Scented petunias
Hummers and monarchs
My husband called out from the garden yesterday — the hummingbird had returned and was buzzing around in a rose of Sharon shrub. I quickly grabbed a kettle and began boiling water to mix up a sugar solution for the little guy. The hummer stops here in late spring on his way north, and again on his way back south. I also saw a couple of monarch butterflies indulging … [Read more...] about Hummers and monarchs
Forcing spring branches
Finally, at the middle of February, the days begin to grow noticeably longer and we begin to anticipate spring. Of course, there are still several weeks of winter in front of us with the potential for more snow and ice. But I prefer to be proactive about spring activities and get started early by forcing some flowering branches. Most spring-flowering shrubs can be forced into … [Read more...] about Forcing spring branches
