FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Planning Plants for 2004

[Imboden@xxxxxxx]

      Now that summer is drawing to a close I find that I am looking at my 
container plants on my deck and beginning to plan what to plant next spring to 
attract more birds.  Some have succeeded in spite of too much rain.  Others 
probably won't be repeated next year.
       One of the most exciting has been the Meistergarten Fuschia which is a 
favorite with hummingbirds.  If you attended the spring meeting banquet in 
Knoxville, these were used as centerpieces.  And they are unique with leaves 
that are green on top and maroon underneath with bunches of orange 
honeysuckle-like blooms.  As my friend Gaither Gray said, "Only God could put 
those colors 
together and have it work."  
       The hummingbirds love this plant almost as much as the shrimp plant.  
This unusual plant has to be staked to be upright and is a shrub-like 
perennial.  It barely survives the winter in my garage, but it bounces back 
after 
moving out on the deck in the sun.  The name comes from the 3-4" flowers which 
are 
shrimp-shaped in a pinkie red with white petals resembling tails.  The 
hummers really enjoy this colorful plant.
       Usually the hummingbirds circle the mandevilla, but it is just now 
beginning to look decent after all the rain.  This plant and the geraniums 
would 
have preferred less rain.  Maybe these will come on for the migrants.
Gardening for the birds can be fun!  And I welcome suggestions of plants you 
have had succeed.

Barbara Finney
Knoxville, TN
       


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