Rare hummer sighted (article) & question about winter nectar plants

10 years ago

"A white-eared hummingbird was banded in a backyard in Theodore,
Alabama this week, the first ever seen in the state. It weighed 4.2
grams, or slightly less than two pennies.

The species – named for a white slash on the side of its head – wears
an iridescent purple mask on its face and a refulgent green cape around
its neck. White-eared hummers have never been seen so far to the east
in the United States, and only once before has the species been
documented east of the Mississippi River. The last time was 20 years
ago, near Biloxi.

there are 13 species of hummingbirds known to winter in Alabama."

- http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/hummingbird_weighing_less_than.html

What are some winter bloomers that could help support hummers over winter? I've seen them visiting Camellias in February.

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

That is so cool! What a pretty gem of a bird. Winter jasmines come to mind, Camellia sasanqua, and Mahonia.

When I lived in the deep south, I grew Alyssum all winter long as well as snapdragon....I don't remember any winter hummers, but every other nectar feeder loved them. The birds visited them when they showed up in the spring. I wonder if they like pansies, another winter flowering plant.

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Comments (8)

User
10 years ago
This is difficult. I have done a little quick research and the plants I see I am not sure hummingbirds would use. The only thing I know to do is to keep the feeder up. Just take it down when it is going to freeze and then as it warms up through the day, put it back up.
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I don't go outside much if I'm uncomfortable, so that's pretty much from Dec-Feb. LOL! TYVM for the great suggestions. I'd forgotten about snapdragons! I'm completely clueless about winter bloomers for here. If I had some I would at least go check on them once a day or so, more activity is always good. Will keep an eye on some pansies out front... never occurred to me to shop for plants over winter. That's probably something to check too.

Botanical name for winter Jasmine, pls? Is that a yellow bloom?
User
10 years ago
I know that hummingbirds like petunias because they visited mine in the summer but will plants similar to that (such as pansies) provide enough food or are you just wanting to have something that they will visit occasionally?
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL thanked User
jeff_al
10 years ago
winter jasmine = jasminum nudiflorum. I have grown this plant but did not like the habit so took it out. my loquat tree is in bloom now and you could grow other citrus in your warmer climate. don't know that hummers feed on the flowers of loquat but the bees love it. it has a nice floral scent. you can also grow winter honeysuckle that blooms in february but it has been placed on the invasive species list of some states. i grow it and do not find seedlings nearby.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL thanked jeff_al
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Original Author
10 years ago
TY, Maylingsmom. Yes, I was thinking the best way to spot a hummer in winter would be to have some winter blooming nectar plants. Those would be perennials really worth having! Summer bloomers are so prevalent.

TYVM, Jeff!
junco East Georgia zone 8a
9 years ago
I have a winter hummer visiting my garden in Augusta, GA. It has been hanging around since November. Up until this week I had salvia coccinea and salvia involucrata, "Ugly Shrimp Plant", and Flowering Maple (Abultilon pictum) . Yesterday am the low of 25 completely killed both salvias but parts of the shrimp plant with flowers are still ok and the Abutilon was untouched. You might try any or all of those plants. The shrimp plant was a pass-along from hummingbird gardeners in south Louisiana so I don't know a specific name.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL thanked junco East Georgia zone 8a
User
9 years ago
Flowering quince is in full bloom now in northern Al.

also I saw roses in bloom just last week. Another shrub was in

bloom, lyroped_______. Need to look up the plant.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL thanked User