Backyard Orchard and Bee/Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden

[GoDawgs]

I know you're just loving that beautiful area you worked so hard to build. You might be tweaking it here and there a bit. Just when you think you've got everything settled, a new idea or plant comes along and... well, you know the drill!

[PlainJane]

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This new ‘Crimson Royal’ low-chill cherry replaces a pear that never produced.

[PlainJane]

I wish I could get a pic of the female ruby throat that nests in the yard every year. She always returns the end of March and takes possession against any and all interlopers. She has a few surveying positions where I can see her and hear her squeaking away, but can’t sneak up on her. She defends my garden and my next door neighbor’s too since he planted some of my salvia divisions.
Back and forth from the Cuphea, to the Abutilon, the short salvias, the tall salvias and the Tacoma stans ‘Bells of Fire’.
Then she’ll chase bugs while the nectar refreshes then start over again.

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[worth1]

Looks better than my weed eaten place.
Much better.

[PlainJane]

Looks better than my weed eaten place.
Much better.

Thank you Worth! I try ...

[MissS]

I would come back every year too to visit that garden. You have a very nice selection of hummingbird plants.

[PlainJane]

I would come back every year too to visit that garden. You have a very nice selection of hummingbird plants.

Thank you @MissS
Since we didn’t have a hard frost the Hamelia will start to open any day. Although technically there for the zebra longwings the hummer takes full advantage. Later in the summer the fire spike will come into its own. She loves that as it’s right under one of her hangout spots.

[PlainJane]

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The tiny Orange Skyscraper Salvia are setting in and starting to see hummingbird visits.

[MissS]

They won't be tiny for long. They grow fast and get large. The birds do like them a lot.

[worth1]

I saw a humming bird sucking on one of my agave plants blooms yesterday.

[PlainJane]

This planter is more for me than the winged creatures ...

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[GoDawgs]

Oh, I like that planted combo!

[MissS]

Oh, I like that planted combo!

Yes, I quite agree.

[PlainJane]

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So happy I moved all the salvia together where they aren’t baking in hot sun all day.
Much better growth, no wilting or scorching.

[Growing Coastal]

And they look lovely all together. I see a red Hotlips? Today I noticed the first few flowers open on mine, all red right now, red/white later on.

[MissS]

Those salvia look beautiful there. I think that the plants, the birds and the people will all be very happy with that arrangement.

[WoodSprite]

I loved looking at your before, progress and after photos. Gorgeous! I'm sure the winged creatures appreciate your creation, too.

[SpookyShoe]

My salvias don't like full sun either. Neither do my cupheas. Neither does agastache.


By the way, I love the natural look of your gardens.

And I need to move my Cat's Whiskers...very sensitive to direct sun. Here's Cat's Whiskers:

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[PlainJane]

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The 2” David Verity Cuphea cuttings from last winter are now 3ft tall and will be getting a trim soon. I think I’ll root these cuttings and Use them to replace the rose hedge out front.

[MissS]

@PlainJane Do you have problems with Japanese Beetles on your DV? Yours look great and mine are chewed up for most of the summer.