As Christine Huffman (Great Falls, VA) pointed out in her post that her
hummers like Crepe Myrtle. This is a slow-growing, low-nectar-producing,
non-native species that is kind of twisted and a bit shaggy, especially when
left un-pruned. I have noticed for years that hummers like to perch in the
Crepe Myrtle, and I suspect for two reasons. First being that it likely
produces lots of small bugs, especially during bloom time, and the second is
the protective nature of the plant due to its numerous long, thin branches,
flowers and twigs. It is not too likely that a predator will swoop down and
attempt to fly into a Crape Myrtle to make a tiny meal of a perching hummer.
Visiting winter hummingbirds have often been found in yards with
significant numbers of the plant in a more mature variety.
So if you want to attract some additional hummers next year, plant a few
sun-loving Crape Myrtles, which, fortunately for us, seem to just LOVE the
climate in Virginia, and bless us with fantastic plumes of gorgeous flowers
during the late summer.
Craig Zalk, Reston VA (Fairfax County)
