Birds & Blooms

they’re back!

Migrating hummingbirds have made the trek north. Like the whir of their tiny wings, they create quite a buzz among bird-watchers. This time of year, it’s normal to see social media posts announcing a FOY (first of year) hummingbird visit, or to hear neighbors discussing their sightings. The annual arrival of these energetic fliers is truly something to celebrate—and that’s what this issue is all about.Look for our special “Hummingbird Tales” feature on page 20. It’s 12 pages of vibrant, splashy photos, and the folks with the cameras reveal the stories behind their shots. The best part? All of the images were captured by hummingbird-loving readers like you!And find everything you need to know about feeding hummingbirds in your yard—from skipping the red dye in sugar water to the best…

this month

OBSERVEJoin Audubon’s Hummingbirds at Home program as a community scientist. Share garden sightings or log visits to your feeder: hummingbirdsathome.orgReadThis beautiful collection is a roundup of the best tips, photos and stories from last year, all in one book! Get yours now: birdsandblooms.com/BNB19GrowHummingbirds love to visit salvia! Gilberto Sanchez of Orlando, Florida, saw this hungry ruby-throat sipping his Amistad salvia.GET AWAYEscape to the Southwest for the Sedona Hummingbird Festival, Aug. 2-4. The event features banding demonstrations, birding field trips, garden tours and more.SHARE We’d love to see your hummingbird photos! birdsandblooms.com/submit…

towering treats

Cardinal FlowerLobelia cardinalis, Zones 3 to 9 Eye-catching stalks of vibrant scarlet, white or rose flowers pop in any summer garden from July to September. The blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, while rabbits and deer usually avoid the plant. It adds height to edges and thrives in moist, challenging growing conditions like rain gardens, along ponds and in wet meadows.Attracts:Light needs: Prefers partial shade, but grows in full sun with moist soil.Size: Shoots 2 to 4 feet high, spreads up to 2 feet wide.Grown for: Nectar-packed, showy blooms hummers love.Foliage: Tall stalks with long, thin, dark-green leaves.Cultivars to try: Alba has striking white blooms, while Rose Princess has bronze stems and deep pink petals.…

west coast cuties

A stocky, medium-sized hummingbird, the Anna’s has a straight, short bill and a broad tail that extends past the wings. With bold, metallic greens above a gray belly, Anna’s is the only North American hummingbird sporting a full reddish crown.Males proudly display a brilliant magenta throat, called a gorget, and crown. If it appears to be more violet than rose in color, the bird could be a hybrid that is the result of mating between Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds.Females have specks of pink-red on their throats, often forming a small gorget that is unusual for female hummingbirds. Their backs are duller, iridescent green, with drab gray underparts.To attract a mate a male puts on an aerial display that starts with hovering a few yards in front of a female. He…

pretty in purple

1 SalviaSALVIA SPP.,ZONES 3 TO 10With as many as a thousand species, there’s an ideal salvia for nearly every garden out there. Also known as sage, salvia displays long thin flowers that hummingbirds love. Choose native varieties or seek out spectacular selections like Rockin’ Deep Purple.Why we love it: Pollinators go for salvias. You could plant an entire garden of salvia varieties, and it would hum with activity every day.(2: DAYBREAK IMAGERY)2 Hummingbird mintAGASTACHE FOENICULUM ZONES 4 TO 8Also known as anise hyssop, this wildflower releases a sweet licorice fragrance when you brush against the leaves. Hummingbird mint is drought tolerant and thrives in well-draining, moist soils, where it grows up to 4 feet tall.Why we love it: It’s right there in the name! Hummingbirds visit the lavender flower spikes…

quick fixes for poor soil

Whether you’re converting grass to a garden or creating a brand-new planting area as a result of recent construction, the soil probably needs a little elbow grease and TLC.Incorporating compost or other organic matter into the top foot of your soil improves drainage in yards with heavy clay deposits and helps sandy or rocky plots hold water better. While this process yields healthy plants, it takes decades of yearly maintenance to make a difference. Luckily, a few remedies start to work almost immediately.Purchasing topsoil and creating new beds on top of your current soil is a less time-consuming alternative. Despite this quick fix, many gardeners end up with weed-filled, poor-draining topsoil that’s worse than what they started with. Always consult friends or family who have found a reliable source before…