Show your butterfly and hummingbird gardens/plants

[Worth1]

These herb and flower arrangements are becoming more popular in my area to the dismay of many lawn lovers.
Thankfully I live in a neighborhood that appreciates them and even though our houses are nice and a nice neighborhood most dont have what you would call a lawn.'
Just a hand full of maybe four or less.
We have native plants and ground cover.

[imp]

Most all varieties of basils I ave grown have been popular with bees when in bloom. Enough so, I always give a basil plant a bit of a shake before clipping or putting my face into it to smell.

Originally Posted by Worth1

These herb and flower arrangements are becoming more popular in my area to the dismay of many lawn lovers.
Thankfully I live in a neighborhood that appreciates them and even though our houses are nice and a nice neighborhood most dont have what you would call a lawn.'
Just a hand full of maybe four or less.
We have native plants and ground cover.

I’d love to see fewer grass lawns in our neighborhood. Between the irrigation, bugs, weed killers, etc. they are so wasteful. I’m happy that so far no one has seemed upset with me for breaking with tradition. I’ll be really thrilled when someone else on our street follows suit!

Originally Posted by imp

Most all varieties of basils I ave grown have been popular with bees when in bloom. Enough so, I always give a basil plant a bit of a shake before clipping or putting my face into it to smell.

So funny; when I took cuttings I had to be careful as I clipped off the flowers. The bees were very persistent!

[Karla]

Beautiful!

[Karla]

Love the hummingbird and flowers.

[Karla]

Nice pic of your plants.

[SpookyShoe]

What shade-loving plants have you all used to attract pollinators? I'm planning my hummingbird/butterfly/bee areas that have shady parts to them.

Originally Posted by SpookyShoe

What shade-loving plants have you all used to attract pollinators? I'm planning my hummingbird/butterfly/bee areas that have shady parts to them.

The African Blue Basil border runs near an Oak in the front yard so parts of it are in shade for half the day. Doesn’t seem to care and the bees positively swarm it.
I’ve also had really good luck with Hamelia and Firespike in part shade - for the larger butterflies and hummingbirds. I’m looking for a way to fit in a Major Wheeler honeysuckle... maybe on one of the fig trees.

[SpookyShoe]

I had a Firespike 2 years ago and the sun actually burned it. It would probably do better in part shade. My basils don't like to grow in full sun either. The leaves burn. I'm talking about the sweet basil.

Originally Posted by SpookyShoe

I had a Firespike 2 years ago and the sun actually burned it. It would probably do better in part shade. My basils don't like to grow in full sun either. The leaves burn. I'm talking about the sweet basil.

Yes, I’ve noticed that. I let basil, cilantro and dill seed around the fruit trees and the plants in part shade look better for longer.

[SpookyShoe]

I planted 2 fewer tomato plants this year so I could have pollinator plants in the same bed. These are in front of my tomato plants. Dwarf Marigold Red, Golden Empire Bidens, and Midnight Candle Salvia. Sorry about all the leaves. The live oaks are dropping their leaves and the back and front yards are covered.

[SpookyShoe]

More......

Speedwell (Veronica) and African Blue Basil (bees go mad for it according to PlainJane). I haven't put the basil out yet; it's sitting on top of the barbeque. I also planted some bare root Echinacea and I'm waiting for it to come up (hopefully). The leaves will be relentless for the next couple of weeks. I had to buy netting to cover the tiny pond.

You will love the African Blue Basil and so will the bees.
The other flowers look fantastic!
We’re battling the oak leaves as well; can’t wait till they’ve all fallen for the year. What a mess.

[SpookyShoe]

Went to my favorite independently owned nursery today and saw the bees going mad for orange Bidens. Also saw purple cuphea. A lady there said that her hummingbirds prefer the orange/David Verity over the purple.