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1011
N. Woodlawn
Kirkwood, Missouri
63122
314-965-3070
MailSCG@aol.com |
Hummingbirds are tiny, yet so energetic they need large
quantities of food — about half their weight every day — to get
enough calories for their metabolism. With unusually strong wing
muscles, hummingbirds beat their wings between 20 and 200 times per
second. They dart their specialized, long, needlelike bills into
flowers’ nectaries, then extend their long tongues to drink.
To attract hummingbirds, be sure to include a variety of their
favorite plants in your landscape. Shrubs and plants with bright,
tubular flowers — red flowers in particular — are preferred by
hummingbirds.
| Annuals |
Perennials |
Shrubs |
Vines |
Antirrhinum/Snapdragon
Canna
Cleome/Spider Flower
Fuchsia/Lady’s
Eardrops
Gladiola
Lantana
Pelorgonium/Geranium
Petunia
Ruellia/Mexican Petunia
Salvia
Torenia/Wishbone
Flower
Verbena
Zinnia |
Alcea/Hollyhock
Aquilegia/Columbine
Asclepias tuberosa/
Butterfly Weed
Astilbe
Campanula/Bellflower
Delphinium/Larkspur
Dianthus/Pinks
Dicentra/Bleeding
Heart
Digitalis/Floxglove
Hemerocallis/Daylily
Heuchera/Coral Bells
Hibiscus
Hosta
Kniphofia/Red
Hot Poker
Leucanthemum/Daisy
Lobelia cardinalis/
Cardinal Flower
Monarda didyma/Bee
Balm
Penstemon/Beard
Tongue
Phlox
Salvia gregii
‘Furman’s Red’ |
 Abelia
Aesculus
pavia/Red
Buckeye
Buddleia
davidii/
Butterfly
Bush
Hibiscus
syriacus/
Rose of
Sharon
Syringa/Lilac
Weigela
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Campsis
radicans/Trumpet
Vine
Ipomoea/Morning
Glory
Ipomoea
quamoclit/
Cypress Vine
Ipomoea
multifida/Cardinal
Vine
Jasminum officinale/
Jasmine
Lablab purpurea/
Hyacinth Bean Vine
Lonicera/Honeysuckle |
Hummingbird Feeder Tips
It is not necessary to buy ready-made nectar for your feeder.
You can make your own by using one part sugar to four parts
water. Bring water to a boil and stir in sugar. Boil for 2-3
minutes. Let cool. Don’t use honey or artificial sweeteners in
your nectar, because this can be harmful to hummingbirds. Extra
nectar can be stored in a tightly covered jar in your
refrigerator for up to one week.
Red food coloring is not recommended. No research has been done
to prove it’s safe.
Clean and refill feeders at least twice weekly in hot weather by
flushing with
hot tap water and cleaning with a bottle brush. Once a month,
clean feeders
thoroughly using a dilute solution of non-detergent chlorine
bleach (10 parts
water, 1 part bleach). Rinse and allow the feeder to air dry.
Hang your feeder in a shady area to discourage bacteria and
mold.
Clean and refill feeders at least twice weekly in hot weather by
flushing with hot tap water and cleaning with a bottle brush. Once a month, clean feeders thoroughly with a diluted
solution of non-detergent chlorine bleach (10 parts water, 1
part bleach). Rinse and allow the feeder to air dry.
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