Marcia, I had a few things that survived up until the last day, most of them under sheets. Unfortunately, we had one more day of freeze than was predicted. When I got home from work around noon, they were predicting a low of 41 degrees so I uncovered things and watered them. By 5 pm, they dropped the low to 31 degrees. By 5 am, it was 27 degrees. I believe it was the watering that resulted in much of the freezing on the 11th day. Most of my plants still have life around their base but I don't know what will happen if we get another freeze. The best two flowering plants that were left uncovered were the the flowering maple and two patches of shrimp plants. The shrimp plants were somewhat burned prior to the last freeze but they did have flowers. The flowering maple had flowers for a few days after the freeze but has since lost them and has some leaves turning brown. Plants that survived last years freeze, including the chinese hat and the firespikes were completely burned after about a week. I'm still seeing a number of hummingbirds including a number that weren't banded. Still, all appear to be Ruby-throateds. During the freeze, I saw a dozen or so goldfinches and a couple dozen chippies but those numbers have now dropped. Almost all activity halted for a few days after the second day of above freezing nights but things have gotten back to normal. Around the time I noticed things slowing down, I saw a large light colored bird fly past the windows a few times. We heard a frantic squeal from the tree one night and were able to find a raccoon in the tree. I believe the raccoon was attacking a flying squirrel. The next day, a Black Vulture was eating a squirrel on my roof just above where my wife saw the raccoon. A day later, I saw the big white bird drop down past my kitchen window. I looked out to see a Cooper's Hawk on the ground with a squirrel tail sticking out from under it. It flew off with the squirrel. I also had a stray kitten eating my bird seed on stump where I feed the birds so I do have some deterrents in the yard that may prevent some birds from stopping by. I'm seeing regular Pine Warblers and a Yellow-throated and a Black-and-white. A White-eyed Vireo has become a regular in the yard. saintpfla, The best advise I can give is to hang feeders as well as landscaping. I have a friend who sells the dish type feeders so I would love to endorse their use but unfortunately, many hummingbirds won't use them. There are so many advantages to them over the others but bottom line is if the hummers don't use them, they are useless for anything other than a decoration. I have so many issues with the PerkyPet pinch waist glass feeder with the yellow cage type bee guards but that seems to be the feeder my hummingbirds prefer. Unfortunately, so do the bees. And, my bees get their heads stuck in the bee guards. So, if your feeder isn't attracting the birds, try a different type. I've read some discussion of hummingbirds being less common along coasts but my parents live just inside Mosquito Lagoon on the east coast and they have hummingbirds pretty much year round. I also know of at least one yard in Largo that has had them during a couple of the past few winters. I'm hoping to discover more regarding coastal hummer spots through my floridahummingbirds.net site. The birds that you're seeing for a couple of days are migrants who are most likely not going to be persuaded to stop. You need to keep feeders up past the "end of migration" in hopes that one who is going to stay will find your yard. I hope this helps, Steve in Valrico

Kate - great photo and what a nice view that you have! Marcia - I agree...I think this is a new 'favorite' plant for me. It's beautiful once established and I won't have to spend the hot summer trimming it back (like I do with Skyvine!). I may look into getting some more Coral Honeysuckle also. Trinigemini: it sounds like you spend your garden time the same way that I do...oh, look at that new plant, butterfly, bloom...or whatever. It's very enjoyable and relaxing. Felix: I'm jealous of your bunny. There are no bunnies in my neighborhood. Possums and raccoons...but no bunnies. MizAdventure: I think you should be able to grow it up a brick column. Brick usually has enough texture for it to latch onto. Good luck with that. I have never heard of Pumpkin on a Stick...now I'm curious!

Hi to you all, I have so enjoyed reading the wonderful posts on this site. This is my first time to post and I have lost my heart to hummers but haven't very much knowledge. This was the first year of observing them and feeding them. You see, I live in Corpus Christ, Texas in an apartment without a yard, of course. I put one feeder out, made my own nectar with 1:4 ratio sugar cane and water. I simmered it for 10 mins. as suggested and thought," oh well, if they come, great and if not, no big deal". Well,come they did!! In April, when they arrived there were as many as 16 trying to a sip, while 4 sat at the feeder! My heart soared and I bought 2 more feeders. Who can believe such a miracle of color, detail and fearlessness in one tiny creature! I went through a time of seeing many everyday and then a sparse amount came for a time and then none. I was brokenhearted until I researched and discovered that when the flowers are in full bloom and/or when nesting, they will appear less frequently. I was disappointed until about 3 weeks ago when they came back to feast at my balcony once more. I have Blackchins and Rubys for sure, and some that have defied identification. They have grown accustomed to seeing me and if you can believe it, the little blackchins will even come up to patio door and peer in at me as I sit at the computer. I have tried photographing them but they "fuss" at me so much that I've given that a rest for now and decided just to enjoy them. Well, anyhow,(sorry this is so long) today I held one of the feeders at dusk and placed my hands on the perches and the most wonderful thing happened. Although they would not land on my hands, they hovered so close to my fingers that their wings touched my fingers and then would circle in back of me and brush the back of my head! I have a tear on my cheek and a lump in throat even now. Oh how I love these babies! Now, I have a question. I will be moving in a month to a new location, near Houston to teach. What will become of these little guys? I am so worried about how they will fare without my feeders. Anyone who help me with this question, please. Thanks so Much, Pam in Corpus Christi

Last Sept was the first time we had ever seen "swarms" of hummingbirds on our feeders. We have 7 feeders and the 3 that hang in front of our sunroom windows would be completely full--a hummer at EACH opening -- with others hovering above waiting their turn!! It was a sight to behold! At the same time, some would be zooming across the yard to the other feeders that would have 1 or 2 on each of them. All feeders are in our small backyard. The 3 feeders at the windows are about 20 ft apart. We estimated 30 hummers but it was only an estimate. They would zoom over the roof, then back into the yard, then into the trees. We would sit in our lawn furniture facing the windows and just watch the show. My sister would make it a point to come by as soon as she got off work so we could watch together. Needless to say, we are just counting the days until Sept to see if it happens again! I have had 3 hummingbirds for awhile this summer. Can't wait to see what Sept will bring.