This isn't about h-birds, and it's more about buzzers than hummers, but it seems like a reasonable follow up anyway. There's a narrow path along one of my borders, between a mixed bed and a small pool - about 25' long and only 3' wide (the path; the mixed bed is about 10' deep) and for over a month now the racket from the mixed bed has been astounding. This border is backed by old spruce trees and has a long row of evergreen euonymous (not one of the invasives, this is 'Manhattan' or a similar large-leaved variety) between the trees and a row of tree peonies, mountain laurel and azaleas, underplanted with gingers, geraniums, and various other perennials. Closer inspection revealed that the racket was coming from the euonymous, which has been blooming for weeks. After an even closer look, I realized that the buzzers were not bees at all, but flies. I can't detect any odor from these flowers, but there must be one, and it must not be anything that would appeal to people. Are there other plants that attract flies by the millions? These bugs (or are they insects?) don't seem to congregate anywhere else in the yard, and don't seem to be doing any harm. And, they don't scare anyone the way the bees that are swarming the clethra do.

i;m hoping the other birds slow down in eating now, all winter, i've gone thru 200 pounds of sunflower seeds a week!--and still putting it out. i have 10 bluebird houses out too, and most of them have blue birds. when we sit on the back deck, the bluebirds are twittering and singing constantly.hate to hear of someone shooting at the birds, our golden eagles occupy a lot of our leisure time too.need i say i love my animals--and birds?

I was so impressed by all the cultivars and wonderful characteristics of Bignonia capreolata (cross vine), that Marty was talking about above, that I did a little looking to see where they can be found. Some of the better sources I could find (due to price, selection, etc.) are: * Sunlight Gardens (about 20 miles from Knoxville) - http://www.sunlightgardens.com/index.html * TyTy Nursery - http://www.tytyga.com/ * Logee's - http://www.logees.com/default.asp * Fantastic Plants (mail order in West TN) - http://fantasticplants.com/ Does anyone know of sources of other varieties besides 'Tangerine Beauty', var. atrosanguinea, and 'Jekyll'?

Turk's Cap or also known as Malvaviscus arboreus. We have had multiple humming birds be attracted to Turk's Cap. Chop it back in the winter and it will re-grow for the summer. It has gorgeous red flowers. Also on my blog I have a recipe for a natural humming bird food. Here is a link that might be useful: The Girl in the Wild West