1 Rhododendron
RHODODENDRON SPP., ZONES 4 TO 10
Choose from hundreds of species in this flowering shrub's family. Some types, such as Catawba rhododendron, are noted for being more attractive to hummingbirds than others. Plant wherever they will receive dappled sunlight to partial shade. Too much shade results in fewer flowers. Growing in moist, well-draining, acidic soil is also vital.
Why we love it: The large clusters of brightly colored, bell-shaped flowers on some cultivars are also quite fragrant.
2 Rose of Sharon
HIBISCUS SYRIACUS, ZONES 5 TO 9
A stately shrub that reaches 8 to 12 feet tall, this hardy hibiscus is adaptable to various soils but does best in moist yet well-draining soil. Cut back faded blooms to prevent seed formation, or grow hybrids that don't produce viable seeds. It also makes an attractive flowering hedge when massed together.
Why we love it: You and the hummingbirds will enjoy this late-season bloomer's trumpet-like flowers in white, pink, red, purple or violet hues.
3 Weigela
WEIGELA FLORIDA, ZONES 4 TO 8
Though old-fashioned weigela didn't offer much after its bloom, newer cultivars exist with burgundy, gold, green, cream or pink foliage. Some are even repeat bloomers after the initial flush of flowers in late spring. Weigela grows 6 to 10 feet tall, but compact cultivars are available in the 1 1/2-to-4-foot range.
Why we love it: The blooms on arching stems look particularly good against dark-leaved varieties.
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Esta historia es de la edición June/July 2023 de Birds & Blooms.
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Sense or Nonsense? - Why some birds can taste and smell - but others can't
Does a porcelain berry taste like a blueberry to a gray catbird? Does a block of lard smell like frying bacon to a northern flicker? The short answer is no. While some avian species do have a well-adapted sense of taste or smell, they can't distinguish between flavors and odors the way humans can. They're not picking up every ingredient in the suet you put out, says José Ramírez-Garofalo, an ornithology researcher at Rutgers University in New Jersey and the director of Freshkills Biological Station in Staten Island, New York.
Maple Mania - Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
Amazing facts about this fall foliage mainstay
Food-Focused and Fierce - Meet Canada jays and learn why they eat almost anything they can find
Even if you haven't heard of Canada jays, you've heard of their relatives. Members of the corvid family, they belong to the same group as American crows, blackbilled magpies, and jays including blue, Steller's and scrub. "Unlike many of the other jays, a Canada jay doesn't have a crest of any kind; it just has a rounded head," says Dale Gentry, director of conservation for Audubon Upper Mississippi River.In 2018, the Canada jay's name was changed from gray jay, but Dale thinks the former adjective was fitting. "Most of its body is shades of gray with some white," he says. "There are different subspecies that have different physical traits, but most of them have some lighter coloring on their foreheads, upper breasts and throats, each with a darker streak that starts at each eye and goes back."
IN GOOD COMPANY
BIRDS OF A FEATHER MAY FLOCK TOGETHER, but what about other collectives of critters-and what do you call them when they do?
YOUR OWN Perfect Prairie
Learn how to cultivate an oasis of grassland flora in your backyard
ON THE MOVE
Birds approach the challenges of migration in surprising ways. Learn about how they walk, swim or take the scenic route during their travels.
Autumn Wonders
Fall colors offer befitting backdrops for these stunning reader photos
Sparrow Look-Alikes
Distinct sounds help separate these similar species
Embracing the Darkness
From black plants to moody decor, Gothic garden elements can offer a unique outlet to express your dark side
Red-Hot Plants
Scarlet-hued berries add a pop of color to any garden
