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Flying Flowers

May 24, 2012  |  birds
Hummingbird, butterfly, flowers

It is nearly impossible to not be delighted while watching a hummingbird levitate or a butterfly float amongst your flowers. The whimsical little birds are charming even when they are staging aerial battles over their perceived territory! If you sit quite still (particularly wearing brightly colored clothes), they will often fly right up to you; some people have even mastered the art of coaxing them to light on their outstretched hands for feeding, as in this amazing video! If you haven\\'t gardened with hummingbirds and butterflies in mind before, give it a try...you can create beautiful beds and planters with the added benefit of an air show in your own back yard. For instance,

blooming now are salvia, guara, lantana, pentas, fuchsia, butterfly bushes and more, all ideal for both butterflies and hummingbirds. It is easy to attract hummingbirds to your yard: there are a wide selection of flowers, both perennial and annual, that provide nectar for the birds, and adding one of many styles of hummingbird feeders will ensure that they always have a reason to return to you. The nectar solution is simple to make (4 parts boiling water to 1 part sugar; cool thoroughly and store extra solution in the refrigerator.) and red food coloring is not necessary or recommended in homemade solutions. You can view/print our hummingbird plant guide here, butterfly plant guide here, and take a moment to look through our many other brochures, guides, and plant lists here.