If you plant it, they will come.
With apologies to Kevin Costner, that sums up the experts' advice on attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard.
Barbara Botts , a lifetime member of the nonprofit hummingbird conservation society Georgia Hummers Study Group Inc. , said that some hummingbirds from the West Coast migrated to the area for the winter but that the real excitement begins in March, when ruby-throated hummers pass through on their way to Canada from Central America and Mexico. That means this is a good time to consider whether you want to plant something they'll like to snack on.
"For the past few years, you could set your watch on March 16," she said. "People ought to have something red blooming for the birds to see by then, because those first birds are scouting, and they're heading all the way to Canada."
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, especially red. Mrs. Botts , who owns Green Thumb West Nursery, said any kind of salvias will catch a hummer's attention.
"They're looking for nectar and plants that have a long tube; it can get down in the tubular section," she said.
Anne Waters , a tour guide for the Augusta-Aiken Audubon Society, used to lure the tiniest feathered friends to her south Augusta home with a sugar-water feeder. She found it was too much work to keep it clean and free of mold, though, and then she realized her garden seemed to be attracting just as many birds as the feeder.
"There are people who are willing to take that feeder inside every week, but I guess I'm more into the gardening aspect," she said. "I'd rather be digging in the dirt and growing the flowers that they come to."
Those plants include red salvia , cypress vine , red pentas , ageratum and lantana. Although it's not typically listed as a hummer favorite, Mrs. Waters said she's seen them feeding on the small purple blooms of liriope border grass. It probably helps that she has taken up her entire lawn and replaced it with flowers.
"People think of them as only eating nectar, but they eat a lot of insects as well," she said. "One of the things they eat is mosquitoes, and they can eat all they want here. They'll eat little spiders, too."
A big garden also helps keep the birds apart , an important factor because male hummingbirds are extremely territorial.
"I had a cypress vine growing into a cherry tree, and on one certain branch, a hummingbird male would try to guard that entire cypress patch," she said. "He'd just sit there, moving his head from side to side, saying ëThis is my vine.' It was really comical to watch."
Although the Georgia Hummers Study Group recommends 34 trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and annuals to attract hummingbirds, Mrs. Botts said she's fond of trumpet and cypress vines, morning glory, scarlet sage, and red and blue salvias. As with any species of bird, water is a big plus.
"Most people who are bird watchers are gardeners of a fashion," she said. "Any kind of bird watcher realizes they have to have cover, water and food."
A shallow water source, along with a buddleia (butterfly bush) and a sunny, flat surface, will draw a slower but no less pretty visitor. Monarchs, skippers, common buckeyes and giant swallowtail butterflies will make your yard their home.
Paul Guillebeau , an associate professor of etymology at the University of Georgia, said buddleia is well known as a butterfly's best friend because of the nectar it produces.
Buddleia is a genus that encompasses 100 species, so it's helpful to know which one works best in this area. Attraction, a type of B uddleia davidii developed by Mike Dirr at UGA, was one Mr. Guillebeau recommended ; another is Black Knight Buddleia davidii. It's known to be deer-resistant and comes in a red variety that attracts hummingbirds.
"Lantana is another one that's commonly planted," he said. "It's real pretty, and it grow like gangbusters. Neither of these have any pest problems to speak of, and both of them get real big, but you can cut lantana down to the ground and they'll grow back."
He recommended that gardeners be wary of planting their butterfly bushes close to vegetable gardens. After all, before metamorphosis, butterflies are caterpillars, which might have their eyes on tomato plants.
"They have a good nectar source, and there are different kinds of flies, bees and wasps that also feed on nectar," he said. "But they're also good because they attract beneficial insects that will help control the pests. Essentially, you'll be creating a better balance of nature."
Reach Patrick Verel at (706) 823-3332 or patrick.verel@augustachronicle.com.
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