Here's
catmint, Nepeta x faassenii, growing in my garden. The catmint was planted in late Spring from a three inch pot. I placed it near the steps going down to the perennial garden so it could drape over the ledge. If you deadhead the flowers catmint blooms continuously from Spring to Fall and it keeps a nice compact shape. The small bumblebees and hummingbirds love the nectar of this plant.
Yesterday as I was watering the catmint an
irridescent green hummingbird came right up and sipped nectar less than a foot from me. It was quite warm in the late afternoon and I think the hummingbird was very thirsty. The catmint is in the same family as catnip.
Here's what my perennial garden looks like now. Can you see Barney sitting there? Next Spring I'll fill in between some of the plants with more hardy perennial flowers.
See how the
salvia, pineapple sage, is blooming all over the ends of the stalks now. I put the chair there so Barney can't sneak up on the hummingbirds.
The salvia flowers start out drooping like this.
Then as the flowers open they stand straight up. Several hummingbirds have been having territorial wars over the shrub. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Your garden looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, it's wonderful to see the plants growing and the birds and bees benefiting from the plants.
DeleteNext year I need to plant flowers that attract the hummers. I had to take down my feeders this year due to ants. I miss seeing the birds.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, the birds are delightful to see, since your cat is indoors you could also have a birdbath near a small shrub, the catmind and pineapple sage are worth growing, any herbs really because they take so little care and have very few problems. I think the plants are better for the hummers than sugar water anyway.
ReplyDeleteOoooh.
ReplyDeleteIf I was there I would spend a LOT of time just watching.
Hi Sue, thanks, I just got back from watering and the iridescent hummingbird came back and was sipping from the butterfly bush this time.
DeleteThat garden is looking really good!
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, can't wait to add to it for next year.
DeleteGreat garden Linda....You have given me new ideas for my humming birds...I didn't realize they loved catmint so much...guess Ill be planting some next year :) Anything that helps out our bees & birds :) Peace XO
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks, yes and both of these are so easy to grow, also saw a hummer on a butterfly bush yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that catmint was a favorite of hummingbirds. I'll put some in next year. This summer we put hanging plants outside my second floor window in addition to the lower ones. I've had at least one pair coming to the petunias all summer. There's something wonderful about waking in the morning and seeing hummers at the windows. I haven't managed a picture though.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzi, thanks, I tried to capture the hummers myself but without a telephoto that's not fuzzy I haven't been able too. I didn't know they liked the catmint either till I saw the green one there the other day but makes sense since the flowers are tublar.
ReplyDelete