With the spring equinox and nicer weather, the urge to dig in the garden has overtaken me. I’ve been wanting to tear my front lawn out and do a combination of native plants and edible ones for the past 5 years. Time and the expense are what have primarily stopped that ambitious endeavor.
However, the other day, I saw one of our hummingbirds trying to feed off of our rosemary plant and realized something had to be done to help the little guy (or girl) out. I searched the internet for native plants that supported hummingbirds and discovered these lovely, native, drought-tolerant beauties.
These don’t look like much now, but here they are in full bloom.
Scarlet columbine
Hummingbird Sage
Mesa Blanca Yarrow
Heuchera Canyon Duet
Red Buckwheat
Heuchera Wendy
To plant them, I needed a place in my yard. This meant pulling out the African daisy that, while pretty and nice, served primarily as a little hiding place for pill bugs and grubs, but did nothing else for California fauna, and my day lilies. Like the African daisy, the day lilies might be lovely when they bloom, but they were a spawning ground and nursery for snails. Tons and tons of snails. (Yes, I know opossums eat snails, but, in my neighborhood, they’re more interested in cat and dog food.)
TIP: Both the African daisy and the day lilies were deeply embedded in the soil. How did I pull them out without breaking my back? I originally tried the shovel. That didn’t work very well. Luckily, the digging fork I bought for composting is perfect for loosening the soil and removing stubborn plants like these.
Why Native Plants?
For me, it’s simple. Native plants evolved with the local fauna and environment. Not only are they the easiest to grow in your yard with the least amount of maintenance, but they support that ecosystem.
Where to Buy Native Plants
TIP: If you’re looking for native plants and live in Southern California, Theodore Payne Foundation is the perfect place to shop for them. They sprout their plants from seeds they’ve collected from their own stock, you can buy seeds from them (it’s cheaper than buying the plants, although more time-consuming), all of their plants are pesticide/insecticide free, and they have icons that tell you what type of fauna (hummingbirds, butterflies, bees) the plants attract, what soil they thrive in, sun exposure needed, etc. The people also happen to be extremely helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable.
TIP: If you live in other parts of the US and are looking for native plants, but aren’t in Southern California, either Google it or check out the National Parks Service’s Plant Conservation Alliance website. There are some wonderful links.
TIP: Be sure that, wherever you buy your plants from, they are free from insecticides like neonicotinoids. Unless it specifically says otherwise, don’t assume. Many nurseries’ non-organic plants have been known to be sprayed with this poison.
I hope my gardening tips have been helpful. Maybe next time you plant, you’ll consider planting native. 🙂
My Contest
Enter win one of the following prizes:
- a signed paperback copy of my latest book The Whispering House and a limited edition Wild Child Publishing coffee mug
- a signed paperback copy of my latest book The Whispering House and a large/x-large of a Wild Child t-shirt
- a signed paperback copy of my latest book The Whispering House and a Freya’s Bower bag.
To be eligible to win, you must live within the contiguous US.
To enter my contest, please follow me on Twitter, like my Facebook page, and join my newsletter. Only those visitors who visit every blog spot and leave a comment are eligible to win the grand prize. What is the grand prize?
GRAND PRIZE: We are giving away a Kindle Fire or Nook (winner’s choice) along with a 2nd prize of $25 gift card.
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I don’t do Facebook or Twitter so hope I can still be entered in the contest
You newsletter link does not work. Could you please enter me on the list
jwisley8@me.com
Hi Joye,
I have to fix that. Absolutely, you can be entered.
I love my hummingbirds, they have already started coming around this year. I have a couple pot plants that they love.
Twitter-ladymagnolia99
Facebook-Judy Cox
Newsletter- not working, but will try later!!
Judy Cox
Thanks for stopping by, Judy. 🙂
Lovely plants.
Thanks, Janice. 🙂
Done all. Thanks for doing the hop. the hummingbird flowers are beautiful.
Well done all but still trying to get that newsletter link to work i searched your Facebook and can’t find another newsletter link.
Hi Rachael,
I’m trying to fix that newsletter link, but can’t seem to find where to do it. I’m still working on it.
Finally was able to sign up for the newsletter! Thanks
Yay! Thanks, Rachael. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Thank you. I can’t wait for the flowers to start blooming more. 🙂
Wow those flowers are beautiful my email is bnc12d@yahoo.com
Thank you for the Hop. I am following on twitter (@catwoman1a) and facebook (my name) and subscribed to your newsletter. I can’t wait until the flowers start blooming. I just love to see them. Sharon catwoman-1(at)comcast(dot)net
Thanks, Sharon. I’m excited to see them bloom, too. I have a few months yet for a couple of them. I’ll post when they do. 🙂
Thanks for the chance.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
I followed you all ways. You have a very beautiful garden. Christina whistleinthewind74@hotmail.com
Thanks, Christina!
Liked, followed and subscribed. Lucky you to get hummingbirds. Lrskt@yahoo.com
We love our hummingbirds. They are fun. 🙂 Thank you!
Following on Twitter as @boykrazymommy and facebook as Emily Smith. Subscribed with turtleemiwee(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth(at)bookattict(dot)com (subscribed)
Twitter: @BookAttict
Facebook: Elizabeth Hyatt (BookAttict)
interesting plants
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Hi! just entering for the grand prize please
pailofpearls@gmail.com
Liked on Facebook, followed on Twitter and subscribed to your newsletter. Thanks for the giveaway! jeanna_massman@hotmail.com
Following on Twitter, liked your Facebook page and subscribed to your newsletter! Thanks for the giveaway!
bunnyclem(at)gmail(dot)com
thank you for the fantastic tips! i followed you on twitter and fb and subscribed to your newsletter. vipersweb(at)gmail(dot)com
I always look forward to the hummingbirds coming back to my yarn in the spring. We put a suction-cup feeder on the outside of the kitchen window and watch them all day long.