Hummingbirds Love Rose of Sharon Bushes

Does this picture remind you of tropical hibiscus?

Deep Pink Rose of Sharon blossom
by Grandma Pearl

Rose of Sharon, also known as Althea, is a member of the hibiscus family (Hibiscus syriacus), originally from Southeast Asia, which explains why it loves the heat of August.  That's when my bushes begin to open their fancy blooms to the sunshine, which they also love.  Being drought tolerant, they grow best in Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9.

Be sure to give them good drainage--they don't like wet feet!  In fact, if you over water Rose of Sharon, its leaves will turn yellow.  I love the V-shape of this bush, which works well in a mixed hedge row.  It will be in bloom towards the end of the summer when most other hedge plants have finished flowering.

If you prefer to make your Rose of Sharon into a tree shape, you must do so when it is a year old.  Start by pruning the lower side branches to encourage the top growth.  This plant will reach a typical height of 8 to 10 feet.

I love the pure white of my double Rose of Sharon bush.

by Grandma Pearl

 

If you love hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial pollinators, this is the plant for you!  I have several female ruby-throated hummingbirds fighting over this particular bush on a daily basis.  All kinds of insects are attracted to its nectar and pollen as well.

I think you'll love this plant, but don't despair if it does not have leaves on it right away.  It is very slow to produce leaves, and also to produce flowers.  It's the proverbial 'late bloomer', but it is definitely worth the wait.

By the way, if you have a deer problem, be sure to protect your Rose of Sharon bushes from their browsing habit!  

Can you see the 2 female ruby-throated hummingbirds in this picture?  They sort of blend into the bush, don't they.

There is one in the upper left, and just the blur of a fast-flying hummer on the lower right.  They do love the nectar!

                                                                                   by Grandma Pearl

My white-flowering Rose of Sharon bush is 10 feet tall, and has been growing here in the southern tier of New York State for about 15 years.  That shows you that even though it loves the heat, it is hardy enough to stand our cold, snowy winters!

Grandma Pearl

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Finches Come In All the Colors of the Rainbow!

Remember that old mnemonic for the colors of the rainbow?  

R O Y G B I V representing Red—Orange—Yellow—Green—Blue—Indigo—Violet

Well, members of the finch family represent all those colors and more.  These seed and fruit loving birds literally come in all the colors of the rainbow!  Beautiful and musical, Mother Nature has created finches for our pleasure.  They are most helpful when ridding us of weed seeds, and serenading us with their cheerfully expressive songs. Smaller finches range in size from 5 to 6”, while grosbeaks are the largest at 8”.

Male Purple Finch
by Grandma Pearl

Blue Grosbeak from Dan Pancamo, flickr.com, cc-by-sa

The Purple Finch, also known as Raspberry Finch, and the Blue Grosbeak are just two of the colorful members of the rainbow.  Can you guess which finch is yellow? violet? orange?

Find out Here

With all the rain we've had lately, my gardens have exploded with colorful blooms!  I love to use flowers and plants that attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.  Adding to the native wildflowers and bushes that my resident birds recognize and that are familiar to them, keeps my yard flowering all season long.

variegated pink and white weigela bush
by Grandma Pearl

Variegated pink and white weigela bush is a hummingbird magnet.  It also attracts butterflies and bees.  I'm in zone 5 and it has always been hardy here.  It will bloom for about a month, and last year it bloomed again toward the end of the summer!  The blossoms start out pink and then turn white with blush pink centers.  I have several weigela bushes, and the hummers are in and out of them constantly all day long.

Attract Birds With Flowers

white weigela blossoms--hummingbird magnets
by Grandma Pearl

My oregano in one part of the herb garden.
Grandma Pearl

When the oregano flowers in late summer, it attracts lots of beneficial insects and bees, plus butterflies.  It's a very popular plant.  I use this herb all the time in cooking and salads.  In the foreground is golden oregano, in the background near the lattice is regular oregano.  There is also monarda, or bee balm, just starting to grow.  Bee balm is another hummingbird magnet, and it attracts butterflies and bees.  I love the smell of it, and I can always tell when the bees or hummers are working it.  The aroma is wonderful!

Grandma Pearl

See the newest Rustic Bird Houses made from antique reclaimed barnwood HERE

List of Flowers that Attract Hummingbirds