Steve, congrats on the flowers. Last year, the only hummer flowers I had were the Trumpet vines that grow around our dining room window. I was delighted to see hummingbirds visiting them, so bought a feeder to encourage them further. The feeder didn't work, so I started making my own.

That fall and this spring I expanded my garden and began planting hummingbird flowers like Bee Balm, Agastache "Pink Panther" and "Big Bazooka," native columbine, Salvia coccinea, Cardinal Climbers, Blue Lobelia, and Cardinal flowers. This spring, what surprised me was that the adult birds pretty much ignored all of the flowers. I did see an adult male at my Bleeding Hearts early in the spring, but once he found the feeder, that was it with the flowers. What a bummer, I thought, having spent all that money, time, and work, only to have my flowers ignored.

The plant that really turned the tide was the Bee Balm. I highly recommend it, and I know that others have had good success with it. "Jacob Kline" seems to be one of the best cultivars. Although I'd seen some feeding at my native columbine, when the Bee Balm began to bloom, they really started to get excited. Still, while some of the birds went absolutely nuts over it, others never visited it at all as far as I could tell. Except for the Bleeding Heart, I don't think my adult male ever visited a single flower in my yard!

When the juveniles showed up in the middle of summer, they showed much more interest in the flowers. They had never seen feeders, and I think that their natural instincts told them to visit flowers, not feeders. It wasn't long, though before they started using the feeders, and divided their time between both.

It wasn't until the juveniles showed up that my Agastaches started to get used. I would say, on the whole, most of my birds spent more than half of their time at the feeders--not the flowers. I know there are others on this forum who have had the opposite experience, but that has been my experience with feeders versus flowers. I think that once they get used to feeders, they find it easier and more efficient to use them. I do worry a little that it might not be as healthy for them as natural food sources, but what can I do? What's nice about the feeders, though, is that it draws them right up to the window where they can be seen from inside the house. It's nice to watch them from the dining room when we eat our meals.

I hope you'll still be on this forum next year, and can let us know how the hummers like your Agastache!

Hi Kristin

Im afraid Im one of those people that have just had the luck with the feeders. I mean they have been using the feeders all summer so I tend to agree with you that its sort of what they get used to. I only bought the Agastache [and they also gave me a free plant which they called crap]because I thought it might lure in more hummers. And they have checked out the crap plant and as far as I know they have ignored the Agastache. So many people on here just talk and talk about the flowers, but so far Ive had no luck with the flowers I have. My feeders have actually brought in plenty of hummers for me and they really seem to like my window feeders, maybe because thats what I had first. Speaking of flowers, heres a good laugh, Ive had hummers check out my tomato blooms and not the higher priced flowers we work hard to impress them with. My sister told me I didnt need any flowers to draw the hummers in , but thought Id give it a shot, anyway I will add a few flowers and see what happens. Last year I didnt have many hummers but it appears I had several take up residence here this year. Certainly enough to keep me happy, since I had to go to four feeders. Actually I took some advice from member rusticranch. Did you see the picture he posted on my other post [how many hummers do you have]? Check it out. Im hoping there are more next year. Ive had a few visitors today even thou Ive been in and out , but all females. It seems every evening there are two that come in to guard their territory and then end up feeding together just before dark to fill their bellies before nesting for the night. Yes, Kristin I plan on being on the forum next year, I get entirely too much enjoyment from the hummers and hopefully have made a few pen pals..Also I want to thank you and everyone else who has put up with me and helped this newbie along with all the links and info.....Steve

Hello Steve,
I too planted some flowers (this past weekend.) I planted two trumpet vines, the orange kind. I would love to plant the yellow color near my house but I have read that gardeners had trouble controlling this vine. I planted my orange color vines away from the house. I have never heard of the kind of flower you bought. Let me know if your little hummers like it next year. I have about 4 that I see around the feeders, but I wonder why these stayed and so many left at one time. Seems like they were here and then they were gone. I planted hydrangeas (bluebird lacecap) also. I don't think the hummers care for them but the butterflies and bees love them. I also garden, then freeze and can the bounty from our garden. I have taken all my feeders down but two. I will leave them up for the winter. Little by little I started taking them down about 2 or 3 weeks ago. About the flowers- A friend says she will give me a cutting of the orange honeysuckle next spring for my garden. The hummingbirds are suppose to like that also. I was wondering, if the hummers would like the flowers better if there was some way you could hang the feeders near the flowers. Just a thought. If mine ignore the flowers I might try that next year unless someone says they tried it and it did not work. I also love all birds. We are getting ready for the winter for our feathered friends. We built several birdfeeders more than we had last year. These were new birdfeeder plans. I am not so sure the birds like them as I have seen none at all near them. Happy humming- next year-- Ellen

Hi Ellen

When I went looking for flowers trumpett vines was what I asked about , but they said they had none. Agastache was all they had , but they said hummers love them. Im not finding that , it appears they only come in for the feeders. What you were saying about if the flowers were close to the feeders would they be more apt to visit it. I doubt it. But I have this huge tomato plant right next to the window that has feeders on it and they really like to land on and ck out the blooms on it. They like to fly and hide in and around the branches of it and sit on the cage. Early in the year before the plant got big , it wasnt unusual to see one sitting on that cage any day of the week. I find anything with a red color they will ck out. I live in zone 5 and Im convinced now that the birds Im seeing are new hatchlings, immatures. Twice this afternoon ive noticed females perching but not feeding , maybe taking a sip now and then, just sitting there curled in a ball for at least 5 minutes. Today it has been raining all day maybe that has something to do with it. I also noticed when that female was just perching, another female came in to try to run her off, but she wouldnt move, just looked at her held her ground, stubborn thing. In the spring maybe they will be more interested in checking out the flowers, now its a no go. Since you live in zone 7 do you see any rufous birds, I would think you might. Since Im still occasionally getting visitors on all the feeders, I will leave them up for a couple more days, but then I too will only leave my window feeders up. I have hoped of maybe seeing a rufous in the fall months of oct-dec, I know its unlikely but its something to hope for, much more likely in your area. I was looking at Indy info on rufous. It said there had been 42 siteings in the last 26yrs, but 10 of those were in the last year. Wether its because more people have become hummer watchers or more birds, its something to hope for. I also read that the chance of seeing one is more likely in a wooded area. I dont live in a wooded area but there is a huge cornfield across the st from me and a wooded area to the south but that is a 1/2 mile away from me. I believe when the hummers come back in the spring , they will dive bomb the feeders and ignore the flowers, I hope they prove me wrong. I will be on here from time to time and I will let you know how I do with the flowers I have. To most people that use this forum Im sure they would be interested in what days are the last we see hummers, if just for migratory purposes---Steve

To Steve, and anyone else who might be interested--I saw a female yesterday afternoon (September 11th) at my Salvia coccinea hummingbird feeder. Over this past weekend, I thought for sure they were all gone, but I'm still getting an occasional visit--all females or immatures. Last night, encouraged by this last gasp of activity, I put out my new Ipomoea multifida feeder, but was out most of the day so couldn't watch. When I returned home, I was pleased to see that the nectar level was down a bit, so I think as of today, September 12th, I'm still getting a few visitors.

That other thread you posted, Steve, (the one asking about visits from male birds) is getting long. Maybe if you feel like it, Steve, you could post a separate one asking for people to keep tabs on their last sightings. This idea of keeping track of last birds is a worthy idea, and it's getting lost and spread around in different threads. It deserves its own posting. Of course, contributors would also have to keep updating it, because just when you think you've seen your last bird, another shows up. It would also be meaningful to include your location. Mine is in southwestern Pennsylvania. If you don't get around to the separate posting, Steve, maybe I will. I'm not trying to order you around, but it's getting late and I just don't feel like posting a new thread.

I would not give up on birds visiting your flowers instead of the feeders. Just when I had begun to think that all of my birds were hopeless feeder junkies, they started showing interest in some of my flowers. I think planting flowers in larger clumps may be helpful. I don't know how many Agastache plants you have, but one might not be enough. Also, I noticed that when I occasionally forgot to take my feeders out promptly after cleaning, the birds would turn to the flowers. This happened with my Columbine. In the case of my Monardas, the plants were situated just below the feeders, and proved irresistible to some of the immature birds. They went to them even when the feeders were full of fresh solution. From my experience, I would highly recommend this flower as a hummingbird attractor!

I wouldn't be surprised at all if you got some flower visits next year. If you want to encourage it, plant your flowers in groups large enough to make it worth the birds' while, and maybe even take the feeders inside for an hour or so at a time. It worked for me.

Hi Kristin

Yes that other thread is getting long, but that also pleases me in the interest in it. Being new I didnt know if I could make a post that would interest enough people. As far as putting a new post on last sightings , just as you have discovered when you think youve seen your last, you see another. It just seems there are lot of young birds coming thru right now. Several times today I saw a young female just resting on a perch feeder for a lengthy period of time, which indicates how young and tired they may be already. I dont think I will make the post you mention, because nobody really knows yet when that last day is. Im sure I will add flowers in bunches , but its later in the year now and those flowers should be on sale , but I found it not to be. I just dont have enough places close to me to get them. Im also still seeing birds and today it rained all day here but there were still several visits all young immature females. For me they havent missed a day yet and I dont know when the last will be. Im guessing when the weather gets cool enough and and the insects are gone we wont see the birds any longer.

I had to add this short post: I still have at least 3 female visitors daily. Today thou at least twice I had a hummer stick her nose in every tomato bloom I have and their are several still on and yet she still wont investigate the new so called hummer flowers. Can anyone who reads explain the interest in the tomato blooms which are yellow as opposed to the red flowers of the Agastache?

Someone elsewhere on the forum noted that the tomatoes might offer a supply of protein in the form of small bugs, rather than a nectar supply. As far as the color of attractive flowers, I know that red is supposed to be best, but while my red calibrachoa has had hummers both last year and this, once the salvias started they got far more traffic even though one is royal blue and the other pure white!

Hi Steve, I saw 2 rufous hummers this spring, but they did not stay long. As soon as my rubies came in they were chased off. I was surprised as I thought I had read they were pretty fiesty and did not let another species take over, but they did. After that I only saw ruby throats. I still have females and juvies. Not so many. I wish you could have seen the sight this spring and summer. I live in Ga. maybe the location, but I have never seen as many hummers as this year. I tried to take pictures with my digital. No good. I don't think I have the right kind of camera. I will have to invest in a better one, but I haven't a clue on what to ask or look for in a camera. I am going to look up that feeder on the internet Kristen was talking about - also the Monadas. I have never heard of it. Maybe it is not good for south??? Will see. I will keep you updated on the last time I see a rt hummer. Ellen

Ellen, I didn't mean to mislead you, but I don't think you're going to find those feeders on the internet. They're my own, home made creations, and I would be surprised if anyone is doing anything like them commercially.

I would love to see a Rufous Hummer, so will keep the feeders filled, even though my Ruby-throats seem to be mostly gone. Before the last one left, I could swear I heard her say that the pickings are good at Ellen's house, down in Georgia. Take good care of my little hummers, Ellen, and make sure they get a good feed before they head on down to Mexico and points south!

Hi Ellen

Glad to hear you had some rufous, must be great just to see one. I know some people who live about 30mi north of me and they had several hummers, but I talked to them yesterday and they said the hummers were gone , hadnt them in at least a week. Yet I still have them about the same as Ive been having for the past week every day. So yes I would say it has a lot to do with your location. The fact I have a huge field across the st may help me out as far as keeping them in this area a little while longer. I saw in the weather forcast next week tues or wed its supposed to get down in the 40s at night here so that may be the end for me. My tomato plant has fallen down to the point where the hummers are landing on the cage and daring another to come near. It has to end sometime, hate to see it thou. Keep me posted.

Kristin,wow I'm impressed! How did you make your own hummer feeders? Did you have plans or design it yourself? I am interested if your plans are not a secret. This is only my 3rd year of attracting hummers but they seem to be increasing each year. Do they come back to the same place or what? Steve, I hate to see winter comming on and the little rubies leave and I don't know when they have got their ticket to Mexico and beyond. I haven't seen any bags packed as yet.LOL Kristin, I will lovingly take care of you little rubies. I think I saw 2 of them today. They kept mouthing something to me, but I couldn't tell what they were saying.... but now that I think about it they were actually saying... WE LIKE KRISTIN FEEDER BEST!!!! Oh well, what can I say???? Ellen

Ellen, I am designing my own feeders and have never seen anyone do anything like them. From an artistic standpoint, I started off pretty primitive. Once I saw that it was technically possible, I began to explore the potential for artistry and hyper realism by copying flowers from my garden. I've done Blue Lobelias, Cardinal flowers, Dianthus chinensis, Four O'Clocks, Cardinal Climbers, Cypress vines, Salvia coccinea, and Fuchsia "Billy Green." I'm in process with Impatiens capensis (man that's a complicated one!), and also snitched a Salvia "Black and Blue" from a public garden and am working on it.

I'm still working on my technique, in the hopes that each new flower feeder that I make will be more lovely and realistic than the last. While it's impossible to truly duplicate the delicacy of a real flower, some of mine are similar enough to the real thing that from a few feet away, people who've seen them will say, tentatively, "Is that, um, a real flower?" That makes me feel good, but no one would confuse them with the real thing if they examined them closely.

Also, although I try to make them very realistic looking, I do take liberties with the size if I feel it's necessary. My Salvia coccinea, for example, is probably 3x natural size. Salvia coccinea is just too small a flower to easily duplicate at life size. Also, it just looks better when it is bigger. Sometimes I chuckle to myself and wonder if the hummingbirds' eyes go wide with wonder when they see such oversized versions of familiar flowers! On the other hand, on a more humble note, I'll bet their powers of sight are so much more sophisticated than ours that my flowers look like pitiful fakes to them!

Ellen, I'm hesitant to describe my exact process, because I don't want others marketing them and making a bundle from my idea. I've just been making them for myself, but if anyone's going to make money from them, it should be me. I wouldn't mind explaining it to you, but I don't want to broadcast it over the internet to millions of people.

You don't need any amazing artistic skill to make a simple one, although it helps to be fairly good with your hands. The difficulty comes if you want to make them into objects of beauty. That is definitely a challenge. From a hummingbird's perspective, I don't think they care if they're ugly, lumpy, misshapen, or poorly done, just so long as they're brightly colored and function properly as a sugar water dispenser. Your friends and neighbors may laugh at you, but the hummingbirds won't care.

If you want to ask me for more details, email me at kristinbirds@yahoo.com.

By the way, I was charmed by your warm response! I just sat at the computer and giggled quietly to myself until my eyes welled up. How nice that there are other people out there that care so much about these tiny creatures, and provide support for them in their journeys.

Hey!! Kristin and Ellen , whos post is this anyway , I mention flowers and you two take it and run, just kidding. My hummers havent packed their bags just yet, had several visits today, but I bet they have their tickets for Mexico and beyond and I sure hate to see it come to this, but with temps dropping into the 40s at night next week in indy, good-bye ruby throats. But I will leave my feeders out just in case I have one that couldnt get a ticket or the million to one shot I see a rufous. Dreamer you say? All the way.

Sorry 'bout that. What? We wouldn't let you get a word in edge-wise? You shouldn't have taken that last pause.... You know how chatter-boxes are!!! Seriously, I have been gone all day so I don't know if I had any hummers during the day or late this afternoon. (Did they stop by for lunch and supper?) I'll check it out tomorrow. I have read on the ruby throat hummer site of Ga. that some have seen hummers as late as early Nov. (must have been a warm season) I have seen them as late as middle Oct. it depends on the warming trend I think, or maybe they were juvies who needed to get off their wings.;) I am looking forward to next year as I have a little better idea of the plants that will be comming to my yard for my little rubies and other hummers if they like. Will let you know the last day I see one. I have seen where some have caught the little birds. I disagree with that!!!! Leave nature alone. I have even read that the gov. tagged thousands of little rubies only for them to disappear and never to be seen again. I don't know if this is true, but leave well enough alone I say. I would help one in distress, but I'll mainly just be a bird-watcher admirer and food source. Maybe I'll get a red neon sign next spring that says Ellen's bar and insect grill now open!!! LOL Ellen :)

Ellen-- I dont think anyone would catch a hummer other than the official banders and they do it try and track the migratory routes. Even those people say that is a slow process. As I said Im still getting visitors , but infrequent now, the ultimate is on the way. So I too have been looking to next spring, but I have been checking out possible new feeders for the window. I may put three feeders on my window next spring , all the better to view them. Im going to trash the one feeder I have. I would advise anyone from getting that particular one. Its a perky pet half-round 8oz. It has plastic clips that holds the base to the bottle and when you sqeeze the clips together they may break as mine did, had to super glue it back 3times. Only thing is the hummers seem to like to feed from this one better than the other 3. It was the first one I replaced, so maybe they just got used to it. The cheapest window feeder Ive found is the strawberry shaped one and its better for viewing for the ports are directly on the side forcing the hummers to feed in your best view. Dont get them on line thou, Ive seen them for $6.95 in places like menards meijers, etc. You know I really prefer the real glass feeders thou , seems like it would taste better to the birds. I was looking for bottle brushes and you know when you want one they are really hard to find. Walmart has these range brushes and they work really well , they are long and flexable and come in all kinds of colors. I also have a baby bottle brush to clean the neck of feeder , but the only reason I have that is I found it first. Fall is coming so get out the leaf rakes , have your ice scraper handy and may your hummers stay all winter.