Which flowers have you had the most success drawing birds with?

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Vikster replied on 08-28-2009 7:59 PM

My trumpet vine attract the hummingbirds. Coneflowers the yellow finches and the impatents the hummingbirds.  I have not really noticed anything else. Vicki

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bhowdy replied on 08-29-2009 6:22 AM

Okay ... So far I have worn out my Google button .... Searching and looking at / for many of these flowers. It has been great!  I copied and pasted all the different suggestions and will be ready for next spring. I thought I would list them all below (adding any that come later too). I always figure that I am not the only dummy in a room, at least thinking that way makes me feel better. Hopefully the list will help others too.

One plant / flower that I did not see mentioned was "Milkweed" any thoughts on it?
And I read the discussions about the "evil" of the trumpet vine ... can anyone expand on those thoughts ... Why? Why Not?

Thank you to all that contributed

THE LIST

Tithonia (aka) Mexican Sunflower
Impatiens (yellow)
New Guinea Impatiens
Zinnias
Coneflower
Monarda
Shasta Daisy
Blazing Stars (Liatris)
Indigo Spiral Sage
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Vine
Butterfly Bushes
Coral Honeysuckle
Lantanas
Pentas
Cannas
Petunias
Red Salvia
Balsam
Bee Balm
Cosmos
Garden Phlox  (tall)
Fuchsia Baskets
Scarlet Dropmore Honeysuckle
Turk's Caps
Trumpet Vine
Milkweed

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mcjughead replied on 08-29-2009 6:56 AM

We always enjoy watching the Orioles enjoy our Red Hot Poker plants when they are in full bloom.

Hummers love the cypress vine, aka Cardinal vine. And they seem to like it when our hostas are blooming as well.

These are just a few that I didn't see on your list.           Jane

   Jane & Mike

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theLark_IN_5 replied on 08-29-2009 8:54 AM

bhowdy:

And I read the discussions about the "evil" of the trumpet vine ... can anyone expand on those thoughts ... Why? Why Not?

Here's a link to a post on gardening forum

http://community.birdsandblooms.com/forums/p/277304/3168989.aspx#3168989

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Luvbirds_PA_F replied on 08-29-2009 12:18 PM

Bob, if I knew what I know now, I never would have planted, not one, but yes two!! trumpet vines. The trunks have wrapped themselves around my chainlink fence and there is no way of ridding myself of them without destroying the fence. There are shoots everywhere in my yard. I have no doubt that somewhere in Ohio, or maybe even as far west as California, somebody has trumpet vines growing in their yard. As I stated before, the Hummingbirds love the flower nectar, but, they also are a messy vine. It's a never ending chore picking up the spent blooms.

As far as Milkweed is concerned, Tropical Milkweed is a great host plant for Monarch Butterflies. I had four caterpillars this year that I hope produced Monarchs. It's an annual but so easy to grow. This was my first time planting one and I will do it again next year. Not sure about any value to the birds though. I also planted a Swamp Milkweed but it is still very small and I have hopes for it for next year.

This is my plant

Here is a link for more info:

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bhowdy replied on 08-29-2009 1:02 PM

Thanks Jane, Larkie and Luvbirds,

I really didn't mean to highjack this topic ....  But it is so informative!
List .... scratch off Trumpet Vine .... I'll torture the Californians some other way.

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CindyinAtl replied on 08-30-2009 6:46 PM

Wow, great input from everyone.  This has me in the mood to plant.  But its not the right time of year!  At least I don't think so.  Darn!

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theLark_IN_5 replied on 08-30-2009 7:47 PM

This is going into my favorite file so I will have it when it is the right time to use.

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amwood replied on 08-30-2009 8:38 PM

i have had sucses with sunflowers, coneflowers and zinnias. i also had lots of sucses with turks cap.