by Lisa Nelson

Created on: June 23, 2009   Last Updated: July 10, 2009

This year,my husband and I purchased several outdoor blooms, to try to attract hummingbirds. We've been quite successful! The best one, it seems, has been the hanging Fuchsia plant, that we purchased. The Ruby throated hummingbird, seems to really enjoy, this delicacy! Another one, that has been very successful, has been the beautiful tall, Lilly flower. Its large fragrant blooms, have been a real draw, to this little ruby throated friend, that we've since made. It has been such a blessing to sit, and enjoy watching, the little hummer come and drink nectar over and over from these plants, that are surrounding our deck area outside. Some other great plants, are the Geranium, the Dahlia, Petunia, Zenia, and Iris plants, to name a few. Since, we've begun attracting these lovely little birds, we've purchased now, several of these plants, that I've named. I love sitting outside, and listening to the roaring hum, as they come close to the flowering beauties to feed. I always thought, that purchasing a hummingbird feeder, with the nectar, was the only way of attracting these beautiful little birds. We were told by a lady, locally, who sales flowering plants and more, that we could purchase, these other flowering blooms to attract the hummingbird. We started with just the Fuchsia, and it was not long, after that, we were seeing our first little ruby throated hummingbird, coming to the nectar. From there, we purchased several more, of these flowering attractants, to bring in these little humming beauties! I've gotten some great photographs of them, and really enjoyed learning about the bird more and more. It seems, that the more flowers, you put out and about, the more birds, you will attract. We've been now, keeping note of the different species, we've been noticing at the flowers. The Ruby throated humming bird is Territorial, so in order to attract others, you have to place the flowers at different positions. More flowers, mean more places, other birds can find their nectar. You can even hang feeders at different places around your house, so they can each find their own places to gather nectar. Now, as I open my front door in the morning, I find myself going out on to the deck, to sit, enjoy the morning, and wait for the hum. Hummers, is what their nickname is, and I've learned much more, than just that about them, since our first one came to visit! Did you know these little birds, are the only ones in nature, that can fly backwards? I just sit in awe, and think of how magnificent God is, in all areas of His creation! I'm truly amazed, and that especially, sitting outside, and just watching the beauty around me! If you've never started, it can be addictive, for sure. Start with your first attracting type flower, and you too, will be hooked on watching for the hum of little wings! Its fun for a family, as even our boys, will call out, when the little guys are back to the feeder, or flowers! When I sit outside reading my favorite books, I hear now, the hum, of the birds, that I've attracted, with just a few nice flowering plants, placed around our deck. My husband and I, have so enjoyed this new visitor, that we've been able to attract to our home! It doesn't cost a lot to do, and the flowers are beautiful in themselves! Let alone, when a little hummer, is buzzing about, gathering nectar, from the blooms, that you've planted! Enjoy the outdoors, and plant some flowers, that will bring other visitors to your outdoors world!

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