You might get up close and personal when you add a Rose of Sharon hibiscus to your hair. Photos Cynthia Brian

By Cynthia Brian

"Like the hummingbird sipping nectar from every flower, I fly joyfully through my days, seeing beauty in everything."- Amethyst Wyldfyre

After tucking a hibiscus plucked from my mother's garden behind my ear, I was immediately the object of desire for a hungry hummer. The iridescent red crown identified the hovering nectar hunter as a male Anna's hummingbird. The females and young have green crowns. What a photo op, but alas, no camera or iPhone in sight.
Of the known 331 species of hummingbirds, 27 types are found in the United States, and 14 reside in California. Hummers only live in North and South America. When most people think of pollinators, bees, butterflies, bats, beetles, birds, and moths may come to mind. Yet, hummingbirds are some of the greatest pollinators as they can visit one to three thousand flowers in a single day. As they whiz from flower to flower, pollen from the stamen sticks to their long bills and forehead as they feed. They prefer plants with tubular-shaped flowers and many plants have evolved (some with the help of human intervention) to be more attractive to hummingbirds with brighter colors, higher nectar counts, and daylight blooms. Because they have long, slim bills, hummingbirds can feed deep into chambers and cannulas that bees or other pollinators cannot reach. They also eat tiny insects and spiders that are detrimental to flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Native and navitar plants that are red, blue, orange, yellow, blue and purple are favorites. What is the difference between native and navitar plants?
Native:
highly adapted to the climate and soil they are naturally growing in
requires less babying (within their particular climate) than non-natives
promotes biodiversity throughout your garden
naturally resistant to local pests
attract beneficial pollinators
Navitar:
combination of the words `native' and `cultivar' (result of careful selection and crossbreeding by humans)
wider variety of flower colors, shapes and forms
incorporate different sizes of plant
heightened insect or disease resistance
select preferred hardiness
main concern for - and argument against - is their lack of genetic diversity
Plants Attractive to Hummingbirds
Petunia
Calibrachoa
Catmint
Sage
Salvia
Penstemon (beardtongue)
Bee balm
Daylily
Fuchsia
Cardinal flower
Blazing star
Garden phlox
Lobelia
Weigela
Oregon grape
Azalea
Currant
Flowering quince
Trumpet vine
Trumpet honeysuckle
Bleeding Heart
Butterfly bush
Cardinal Flower
Columbine
Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus
Lupin
Purple Rhododendron
Zinnia
Lantana
Red hot poker (torch lily)
Echinacea
Delphinium
Crocosmia
Hollyhocks
Pink Bower Vine

Hummingbirds remain in landscapes that provide all the supplies they need to survive and thrive. Besides planting species that will feed them, there are other things you can do to encourage hummingbirds to hang around.
Bathing Fountain: Due to the sticky nature of the nectar, hummingbirds need to bathe frequently. They prefer running water in a shallow area. Bubbling fountains or misters are an important investment in their healthcare. They even will frequent sprinklers!
Nests: Hummingbirds do not nest in birdhouses. They build tiny, usually around 1 inch in diameter, nests camouflaged with lichen, moss, and spider webs. This makes them hard to discover. They can be 3-60 feet from the ground and sometimes as much as a half-mile from their favorite food sources.
Feeders: Place feeders in areas where you'll be able to watch the frenzy. It's best to have multiple feeders to reduce territoriality. Hang them high enough to be safe from cats or predators which include snakes, squirrels, and larger birds. Recommended height is at least 4 feet from the ground.
Recipe for homemade nectar:
*Boil 4 quarts of water and let it cool. Tap water is fine. Do not use distilled water.
*Dissolve 1 cup cane or beet sugar in the cooled water. Do not use any other type of sugar, artificial sweetener, or honey.
*Fill feeder _ full or however much is used within a few days.
*Store unused remainder in a closed container in the refrigerator for a week.
Maintenance of feeders: It is important to change the mixture every 4-5 days. If the weather exceeds 90 degrees, the nectar will ferment. Change it more often if it gets cloudy. Clean feeders between refilling without topping off. Many feeders can be safely sanitized in the dishwasher. Otherwise, use mild detergent, wash, and rinse thoroughly. Monthly sterilize the feeders in a solution of bleach and water.
Other Tips: To entertain all pollinators, maintain an organic landscape free of pesticides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizers. Your garden is their dinner table, and their daily dining provide the ingredients for your dinner table.
My garden is buzzing with every type of pollinator. As I sit in my office writing this article, a beautiful, black-chinned hummingbird with its shimmering purple and white collar was busy outside my window investigating my roses. Again, I couldn't get an appropriate photo through the window screen and shutter, but the visit was enchanting.
See the beauty in everything and thrill to the metallic humming of the wings of these living hovercrafts. Fly joyfully through your day!
Happy Gardening. Happy Growing.

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Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA