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How to Effectively Use Hanging Baskets to Attract Hummingbirds
Zoe Ann Hinds
Even if you don't have a lot of space in which to plant flowers, you can easily and effectively attract hummingbirds through the use of hanging baskets. This is a simple and effective way to beautify your yard and attract one of nature's most amazing creatures. It is my hope that the information which follows will help you to discover how to effectively use hanging baskets as a way to attract and enjoy these truly amazing birds.
It is very important that you select the right flowers. You will want to choose flowers that will thrive in hanging baskets and that will also attract the hummingbirds.
You will want to select plants that have nectar-rich tubular shaped blooms on them. Plants such as penstemon, salvia and petunia are excellent choices, because the hummingbirds can easily access the nectar due to their long, narrow bills and tongues.
The plant form is also very important. You will want to select flowers that stick out from a plant's foliage, by either protruding or dangling. This is important because hummingbirds normally feed while hovering, so this will provide ample air space so the birds' beating wings easily clear any leaves.
The plants you select for use in your hanging baskets should offer a wide variety of color. Many people offten associate the color red with helping to attract hummingbirds. Red is a color which hummingbirds can see from a great distance, so offering flowers that are nectar-rich and come in various shades of red should always attract their attention. However, flowers of almost any color, including orange, pink, purple, white and yellow will also attract hummingbirds and cause them to feed from these nectar-rich plants.
The quantity of blooms a plant produces will also play an important role in attracting hummingbirds. When selecting plants, you will want to choose plants with multiple flowers in open clusters. These types of plants are more appealing than plants like hibiscus that feature a small selection of large blooms.
You will also want to consider the bloom time of the plants you select. Choosing plants that have a long bloom time will help provide the hummingbirds with a source of nectar for an extended length of time. Another way to ensure that the hummingbirds will always have a source of nectar is to select plants that have staggared bloom times.
When using hanging baskets to attract hummingbirds, there are other considerations besides specific plant characteristics that you must consider if you are to have success at it. This is what this section of the article will help you discover.
You will want to consider the type of planter that you will use. There are many varieties of planters available. The most popular hanging planters are made of wire, terra cotta, glazed ceramic, wood or plastic. One choice is a wire mesh basket lined with sphagnum moss and filled with potting soil. Another choice is the use of unglazed terra cotta pots. With this type of pots, you must water them frequently and hang them securely from a sturdy support.
Ceramic hanging pots come in many colors, including red or orange, that can be used to attract hummingbirds. This type of planter often has a saucer to catch water and therefore help the plant retain moisture. You can also use Wooden containers that have been painted red or orange and that are made from rot resistant redwood, cedar or cypress. Plastic pots are another alternative in which to create your hanging baskets, because they are lightweight, versatile and affordable.
It is also important to remember that any type of hanging basket will weigh more when wet than when it is not wet. It is important that the hanging basket be fastened securely overhead with sturdy hooks or screw eyes over a strong support. If your pot doesn't have it's own hanger, use galvanized wire or chain to suspend it from the desired location. Make sure to place the hanging basket in a spot that will offer enough support for the plant and won't place too much stain on the surface below.
Hanging baskets are a simple, effective and space-saving way for anyone to attract hummingbirds to their yard. It is my hope that the information contained in this article will help you realize that you too can enjoy seeing hummingbirds in your yard, no matter how limited the amount of space available to you.
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