Deer invading hummingbird gardens (courtesy of: ktkoonin at href="http://www.flickr.com/ photos/koonin/2815606778)

Today’s guest author offers some really great solutions to keeping deer out of hummingbird gardens.

Also included is a list of deer-resistant hummingbird plants… how’s that for practical?

Planning a Deer Resistant Garden
There is no such thing as a deer-proof plant, since in very bad weather deer will devour almost anything. Even throughout the year when food is plentiful, they will nibble on anything, including some of the common deer-resistant plants. There are, however, plants that are commonly believed to be deer-resistant. Deer-resistant plants are considered those that are only rarely munched on, but never devoured.

Cute as they are, it takes only one instance of finding your favorite plants munched to the ground to change your mind about having these pesky and persistent animals around your yard. Even suburban homes are susceptible to deer invasions, and suburban deer are more used to humans so even bolder than their rural cousins.

Deer, like us, have preferred foods, and they include many of our favorite plants such as roses, daylilies, hostas, and tulips. They can strip a vegetable garden bare overnight or destroy new fruit trees that are not protected by tall and strong fencing. So unless you are willing to cage or fence all your plants, it is better to make some alternate planting choices.

Many of the plants we now plant as ornamentals but which were once considered medicinal are prime choices for deer-resistant plantings. Some of these have poisonous properties, while others are strongly scented or have leaves that are unpalatable. In general deer avoid eating coarse, fuzzy or spiny plants with strong aromas, especially minty or lemony ones. Here are some possible choices that will save you from utter frustration because these cute pests have eaten your plants:

Bulbs: Daffodils, snowdrops, ornamental onions, grape hyacinth.

Annuals: Ageratum, larkspur, lantana, gaillardia, sweet alyssum, snapdragons, California poppies and dusty miller

Biennials and Perennials: Achillea, alliums, monkshood, hellebore, Russian sage, lavender, chrysanthemums, coreopsis, dianthus, penstemon, delphiniums, iris, foxglove, rudbeckia echinacea and bleeding heart.

Groundcovers: Ajuga, periwinkle, berengia, St. John’s wort, lamium, sedums and snow-in-summer.

Vines: clematis, Boston ivy, wisteria, trumpet vine, morning glory.

Shrubs: Buddleia, barberry, American box, Ceanothus, dogwood, fragrant daphne, forsythia, mahonia, mock orange, rhodendrons, rugosa roses, syringa, and weigela.

Keep in mind that these plants are deer-resistant, not deer-proof. Any small or new plantings are likely to be browsed or pulled out of the ground as deer experiment with their taste. Trees and shrubs are often damaged until they are mature enough to come back from the occasional browsing. Plants that are ignored in one region may be eaten in another, and plants that have been ignored for years may suddenly be the favorite food this year. Be patient enough to find out the tastes of your local deer, and plant accordingly.

Look for more landscaping and gardening tips, links and great articles from gardening expert, Nicki Goff, on her blog, Through Nana’s Garden Gate. She also offers a free e-mail starter course on setting up your own home herb garden. along with a comprehensive herb gardening e-book.  Visit her website for access.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicki_Goff

Pretty good tips, right? If any of you have some of your own deer-resistant hummingbird garden solutions, share them with the rest of us in the comments below.

Black-chinned hummingbird

Auntie and I were gossiping and sipping tea in her hummingbird garden. How I loved her English style garden… almost as much as I loved my Auntie Elizabeth!

I don’t know exactly how it started – our companioning. More than likely it was during my visits while a toddler. Among my first memories are of sitting on her lap, blowing dandelion tufts into the breeze.

As I smiled with the memory, she whispered, “Do you hear him? He’s behind me somewhere.”

Looking past her, maybe two feet, was her friend, The Deacon. “Yes, Auntie. He’s just behind you, working his way along the honeysuckle trellis. In just a second, he’ll be along side you. Ok, you should be able to see him now. Why do you call him The Deacon?”

How The Deacon, a Black-Chinned Hummingbird, Got His Name…

Slowly, Auntie Elizabeth turned toward the soft rushing sound… and smiled her magic. When she had that look, a memory always followed… and she always shared the moment.

She began, “I know this isn’t my original Deacon, but these precious creatures never fail to revive that moment of grief overcome.”

“When your Uncle passed away, I felt so alone and afraid and lost… grief just took over my life. Nothing would lift me out of it.”

“Until… one morning, I was awakened by a tapping sound at my window. Something made me put on my robe, go outside, and sit on your Uncle’s morning bench.”

“Then, the most remarkable thing happened. A tiny hummingbird came within two feet of my face, looked me straight in the eye, and hovered there. I slowly raised my hand and held it out toward the little fellow. Without hesitation, he flew to my hand and rested there! He watched me quietly as tears flowed down my cheeks.”

“Soon, he lifted softly into the air a bit and backed away about ten feet, hesitated, came back to me, and then retreated again. It just felt as if he wanted me to follow him… so I did. He took me all through the garden, “showing” me how beautiful and peaceful and alive life was that morning.”

“When he was finished, he flew off. And my grief was gone, replaced by life seen through the eyes of this little fluff of love.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and all I could manage was, “Oh, Auntie…”

She patted my hand and continued. “The next morning my new friend greeted me with a cheery trill and several swoops through the air in front of me… and he was off about his business.”

“It was then I noticed his coloring… just like this little fellow over by you. What really stood out was the white ring around his neck… like a deacon’s collar.”

“So you see, sweetheart, whenever I see one of my Deacon’s relatives, his blessing still touches me. His sermon that morning was of life… of joy, goodness, hope.”

She turned to me and grinned. “My life was renewed by a tiny, deacon-collared little hummingbird.” She paused and whispered, “Just like this little one.”

As she held up her hand, he rested there a moment, looking at her… and then was off. She turned that magic smile toward me, and I understood.

As a child, everything always seemed better when Auntie smiled. It still does… for her tiny hummingbird and me!

Hummingbirds love syrupy petunias

Why Do Hummingbirds Chose Petunias And Not Roses?

Why in the world would a hummingbird pass up a heavenly scented rose in favor of a rather non-event petunia! 

Well, you could say the little guy is too busy staying alive to “smell the roses” along the way. But actually, it’s because hummingbirds aren’t drawn to fragrance. What attracts them are color and nectar. 

This is a key element to remember when creating landscape gardens for hummingbirds. Fortunately, there are at least 150 North American flowering plants that attract hummingbirds to your garden… without relying on fragrance.  

Some hummingbird favorites:

Unless you live in “paradise”, make sure to choose those plants that match your area’s hardiness zone. 

Coral Honeysuckle Vine…

(Lonicera sempervirens) Deep green foliage; red tubular flowers with yellow interiors produced freely; long bloom period; average, well-drained soil; sun to shade (full shade reduces flowering). Zones 3-10 (Note: not to be confused with the invasive yellow flowered Japanese species L. japonica).
  

Trumpet Vine…

(Campsis radicans) Deep green foliage; clusters of orange-red tubular flowers; vigorous, high climbing woody vine; full sun. Zones 4-10 (Caution: use a strong support well away from structures, or cut back yearly in late winter to keep it within bounds). 

Red Morning Glory Vine…

(Ipomoea hederifolia) Annual. Neon-red, funnel flowers; re-seeds readily; full sun; all zones. 

Bee Balm…

(Monarda didyma) Perennial. Dense stand of foliage; fringed, whorled flowers appear at end of branches; full sun to partial shade; zones 3-10… species determines sun, shade, and zones. (Note: pull up any spreading roots in early spring as soon as leaves appear). 

Cardinal Flower…

(Lobelia cardinalis) Perennial. Tall, deep-red stems; red, fringed flowers; sun to shade; zones 3-9. 

Petunia…

(yes, the plant that beats out the mighty rose!). (Ruellia brittoniana) Annual. Select red, pink, salmon, and purple varieties with simple flared flowers; all zones (annual). 

Texas Sage aka Scarlet Sage…

(Salvia coccinea) Perennial. Leaves mostly at bottom of branch-like stems; bright red funnel flowers along top several inches of stems; sun to partial shade; zones 7-11. 

Mexican Sage…

(Salvia mexicana) Perennial. Leaves cover bottom of branch-like stems; blue funnel flowers along top several inches of stems; sun to partial shade; zones 8-11. 

Anise-scented Sage…

(scented to us “nostril” beings). (Salvia guaranitica) Perennial. Scented leaves; blue funnel flowers; sun o partial shade; zones 7-12. 

Red Columbine…

(Aquilegia canadensis L.) Perennial. Flowers are downward facing, yellow petals fading to red towards the spur; sun to partial shade; zones 3-8. 

Impatiens…

(Impatiens …) Annual. Select red, pink, salmon, and purple flowered varieties; sun or shade; all zones. 

How to Acquaint Hummingbirds with the Garden You’ve Planted Just for Them…

You might want to hang a feeder or two in order to entice them to visit your new garden. Just make sure to hang the hummingbird feeders close to the new plants to encourage them to check out their new food supply. 

It won’t take long for your neighborhood’s busy little hummers to find the feast you’ve prepared for them. 

Those who say “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” certainly don’t have a lick of sense when it comes to flowers for hummingbirds – these little tufts of fluff would much rather have petunias!

Select plants that appeal to you as well as to those little hummers

Designing Small Hummingbird Gardens

Are you a “couch potato” gardener?

Wait… no offense intended! I am, too. It’s just an expression describing those of us who enjoy flowers and birds and butterflies, but don’t enjoy having to traipse through the garden looking for them.

Actually, my husband is more precise… he calls me a “garden potato”. He must love me, though… he rewards my “potato-ness” by placing potted plants close to the patio and porch.

Actually, we both relax every day watching our treasured hummingbirds feed and squabble and play. Only when you’re close to them can you appreciate how anatomically marvelous they are. And, container and patio gardening is the answer for the easy-does-it gardener!

A Hummingbird Garden Easy-Does-It Action Plan…

After a bit of experimenting, here is the seven step method my husband came up with.

(1) Research plants in our hardiness zone that attract hummingbirds, and that we would enjoy, too. (2) Develop a design for container planting on and near the patio and porch… including, misters spraying into bird baths and into shrubs. (3) Research prices on the internet and in local stores. (4) Purchase plants and containers and misters. (5) Connect misters, and plant and water everything. (6) Tidy up the area. (7) Relax with an ice cold lemonade (I added this last one).

At first, we didn’t notice much activity. Then we reasoned, why not try to lure our tiny “regulars” over to the new plants. By this time, it was noon. So, while I fixed us some lunch, my husband moved the feeders closer to his new container plantings and misters.

The Rewards of Landscaping for Hummingbirds…

Sure enough, while relaxing on the patio late that afternoon, they showed up!

Normally, our hummers would queue up mid-air until they managed a turn at the feeders. Now, they noticed all the new flowering plants and started investigating.

They darted excitedly from one blossom to the next. One little fellow found one of the misters and flew right through it and went straight up in the air and told the world all about his new discoveries… but then zoomed back down to the feeders before it all went away!

Almost as enjoyable, were my husband’s remarks… “Look how funny and brave they are! They usually fly away while I’m working in the garden, but now look at them. As long as we sit quietly, they stay close by.”

Looking at me, he grinned and said, “You ‘garden potatoes’ are onto something here. I could get used to this!”

Snapdragons are perfect patio plants for attracting hummingbirds.

What makes a successful hummingbird garden? How do you do it? Follow the five easy steps in this Hummingbird Garden Blueprint, that’s how.

In a nutshell, you create a hummers’ “paradise”. Surround them with tubular, funnel-shaped flowers; offer them rainbow making misters and dewdrop filled leaf baths; provide nesting sites fit for an uncomplaining feather fluff diva; and, of course, include dessert bars… tongue tingling feeders. Lastly, supply extra nectar in the spring to welcome them home, and to “fatten” them up for their fall migration.

Just follow this simple blueprint, and you’ll have hummers visiting and living in your new hummingbird garden landscape.

Step 1: Use A Variety of Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden…

Plant several varieties of trees, shrubs, vines, and plants that have tubular, funnel shaped flowers.

Trees and Shrubs:

Hardiness Zones 4-9… Azalea. Sun-part shade; blooms early-late spring; deciduous (hardy), evergreen (tender).

Hardiness Zones 4-9… Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii). sun; blooms late spring-fall; deciduous shrub.

Hardiness Zones 7-8… Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus). Sun-part shade; blooms mid-summer through frost; drought tolerant; decidous.

Hardiness Zones 4-8… Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia). Part shade; blooms late spring; tall deciduous shrub.

Hardiness Zones 4-8… Weigela florida). Sun-part shade; blooms late spring-fall; deciduous shrub.

Vines:

Hardiness Zones 4-8… Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera). Sun-part shade; blooms early-late spring; deciduous.

Annual… Cypress Vine (Ipomoea guamoclit). Sun; blooms late summer; lacy foliage and bright red flowers.

Annual… Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor). Sun; blooms summer-fall; blue and red available.

Perennial Flowers:

Hardiness Zones 4-8… Bee Balm-herb (Monarda didyma). Sun-part shade; blooms summer-fall; rapid grower; damp soil.

Hardiness Zones 3-9… Cardinal Flower (Lovelia cardinalis). Sun-shade; blooms summer-fall; wet; self sower.

Hardiness Zones 3-10… Columbine (Aguilegia). Full-part shade; blooms late spring-summer; red color available.

Hardiness Zones 2-11… Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa). Sun-part shade; blooms summer-fall; drought tolerant.

Hardiness Zones 3-9… Penstemon (Penstemon). Sun-light shade; blooms summer-fall.

Annual Flowers:

Annual… Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana). Part-full shade; blooms summer-fall; good container plants… NOTE: New Guinea Impatiens is a separate group that tolerates sun.

Hardiness Zones 2-6… Salvia-Lady in Red (Salvia coccinea). Full sun; blooms summer-fall; re-seeds itself.

Hardiness Zones 2-6… Petunia (Petunia). Sun; blooms summer-winter.

Hardiness Zones 10-11… Petunia (Petunia). Can plant in fall for winter blooms.

(For the rest of this article, see…
Blueprint to a Hummingbird Garden-Part 2)