While so far as I know, non-native Crepe Myrtle has not shown any problems
with invasive tendencies, please don't forget native plants to which our
hummers are well-adapted as a matter of course. For example, hummers are very
attracted to Jewelweed, also known as Touch-me-not, Impatiens capensis or
pallida, orange or yellow flowers. Same for Cardinalflower, Lobelia cardinalis,
with its red flowers. Several times in late summer and early fall I have seen
hummers visiting Jewelweed in Arlington -- they know it, and they like it.
Cheers,? Steve Young, Arlington
P.S. Saw a very few Chimney Swifts this evening, and I believe we still have
Wood Thrush hanging out around Long Branch Nature Center; heard one "nickering"
this evening.
-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Zalk <craig.zalk@xxxxxxxxx>
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, Oct 2, 2009 10:17 am
Subject: [Va-bird] Hummingbirds and Crepe Myrtle ("Lilac of the South")
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)
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