Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Gardening for the Birds

Design - "Summer ABC's" (Snippet)
Designer - Lizzie Kate
Fabric - 28 count White Chocolate Wichelt linen
Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 21 July 2012
Completed - 22 July 2012

This design takes the cake as being both patriotic and summery too. 

 It's Tuesday and there's a Garden Party at an Oregon Cottage.  Let's go! 

I garden for pleasure and to attract wildlife.  In July the air hums constantly as the Anna and Rufous Hummingbirds buzz from plant to plant.

In my garden, the Salvias and Agastache rule.  They are also hummingbird-magnets.  This grouping includes Agastache 'Mandarin Orange' and Agastache 'Tutti Frutti'

As you can see, the hummingbirds approve! 

I am in love with the velvety blossoms of Salvia paten.  This is "Guanajuato".  I planted it with some Oriental lilies.  I can't wait to see what this looks like when everything is in bloom.

Here's Guanajuato and a hummer. 

Did I mention I love blue?  This Salvia guaranitica 'Black & Blue' successfully over-wintered and is now a very large plant.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ attracts other pollinators too.

This bold and bright Salvia is called 'Wendy's Wish'.

It gets the Hummingbird Seal of Approval, as does the Salvia paten in the background 'Cambridge Blue'.

This Salvia paten is called 'Lavender Lady'

This Agastache doesn't have a tag anymore.  It might be 'Acapulco'.

I have it planted with Verbena bonariensis.  I think it is my very favorite plant combination. 

The hummers will work both the Agastache and the tiny, tiny Verbena blossoms.
 
That's it for today - I hope you enjoyed the garden tour.

17 comments:

  1. The salvia paten is a beautiful color! Love seeing your hummers too.

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  2. I'm always amazed to see how quickly you finish your smalls! I love this one!!

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  3. your finish is perfect & oh my...
    as usual......I love all of your nature pictures...
    we are FINALLY getting some much over due & needed rain here today!!!

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  4. Wow! Look at all those adorable humming birds!!! We get buzzed by a few every now and again, but nothing like that. I do have salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ out in our front (mini) flower garden area. Tons of bees around it all the time. It's self seeding and comes back every year for me.

    Take care!
    Dee

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  5. Nice finish! Love seeing the flowers -- and the cute little hummingbirds!

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  6. It's always such fun when the hummingbirds come calling! Beautiful flowers you've got there in your garden. :)

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  7. Beautiful flowers - I know the hummingbirds are loving these. Love the Lizzie Kate alphabet-- cute cute cute!

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  8. I love having flowers that the hummingbirds like. We have several that they are all over. Unfortunately, that is where my kitties like to hang out too, ever hopeful. We stake up and fence the Crocosmia Lucifer, which is in full bloom right now so the kitties can't get them.

    Isn't it fun getting buzzed when you are wearing red or anything else that captures the hummer's eye?

    Yael from Home Garden Diggers.

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  9. Great garden tour, so interesting to learn about the flowers, and the colors were so pretty. I just love that cute, little watermelon slice at the bottom of Summer ABCs.

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  10. Love the hummingbird pictures! They are so fun to watch :)

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  11. I think it's time for me to get a new
    camera.. your photos of the hummers are
    just wonderful and thank you for your
    visit to my blog and for giving me the
    names of the flowers that bring those
    sweet birds into your garden..
    Sandy

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  12. We have flowers and feeders and a fountain and a little pond for the same reason - we just love our birds! Even though they sometimes wreak havoc on the rest of the garden, the sure are a wonderful source of enjoyment, aren't they?!

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  13. Thanks for the education on the many different salvias! And a very cute finish to boot! Hugs!

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  14. You photos of the hummingbirds are wonderful. I love the plants. You have given some ideas to add to my garden.

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  15. A hummingbird garden would be fun. I have a red glass plaque in the garden, and the hummingbirds thought it was a feeder, they are very trained to find food where it is "red". Have a nice day.

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  16. Hummers, flowers and a super cute finish!

    Our hummers are having a rough summer here because it's been so hot and dry. Flowers aren't doing well and what blooms there are have been small and don't last long.

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  17. I love agastache and salvias and I have the hardest time getting them to overwinter! Do you have any tricks or is your garden more hospitable than mine? :-)

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Thank you all. I appreciate that you've read my blog and are taking the time to comment.