Then today, I finally saw my first hummingbird, and actually had my camera on hand! I didn't get too close, because I didn't want to scare her away, but she was hitting the Agastache (also known as Hummingbird Mint) like crazy. I was thrilled, I bought this in Lowes last year (discount again, lol) because every time I was in the store, the hummingbirds were practically elbowing you out of the way to get to these flowers. They were nuts for them! This flower is one of my favorites in the garden, although it doesn't photograph well for me, it has beautiful flowers and is aromatic when brushed even slightly.
Hi Jen, I saw that you mentioned Chapel Hill in a comment on Digging. I'm in Charlotte - I haven't found many North Carolina bloggers, though I know there are a few. Your blog is beautiful! I love that butterfly shot. Isn't agastache wonderful? Seems to always have one pollinator or another on it, and it smells nice.
ReplyDeleteDarcia, thanks so much for the comment! I see that hummingbird almost every day now, it makes me so happy! I really want to put some agastache in the front yard as well, but I'm holding off on doing anything out there until I feel like less of a noob. I'm always on the lookout for more Carolina gardeners, so nice to meet you! Can you BELIEVE how hot it is? Even my drought tolerant bed is miserable. Thanks so much for the compliments on the blog, also :)
ReplyDeleteJust dropping in from Blotanical! Lovely pollinators, your swallowtail is beautiful. We have them here too, but I can't ever seem to get quite that close with my camera! I agree that Agastache is a wonderful pollinator attractor, as are many of the Salvias. I hope your hummingbird stays around for a while!
ReplyDeleteI lucked out with that Swallowtail, I managed to get very close -- I think it must have been half asleep still ;) So far there are at least 2 hummers visiting me, and they are not keen on sharing the Agastache with one another. I am going to plant a lot more hummer friendly plants, hopefully I can get a real crowd going, and they can learn to share! I need to get another blog post up, but its been so hot lately, I've been in summer dormancy, haha.
ReplyDeleteWas happy to find another North Carolina gardener via Blotanical. We have many of the same plants - maybe because I'm also a Lowe's discount shopper. I haven't planted any agastache yet but have it on my wish list. I've found that the pollinators love zinnias, too. Look forward to reading more of your blog!
ReplyDeleteGinny, nice to meet you! I'm so glad I signed up on Blotanical, I've met so many NC gardeners that way. I actually have a bunch of zinnia seed that I should really get around to sowing..... I don't know if I will do it this year though, now that I'm hitting the 9 month mark, I find that my priorities are "stay inside, preferably next to the air conditioning vent" and "watch HGTV" -- as hot as it is outside, I don't feel like I'm missing too much! And I *love* your garden, great pictures, will be checking your blog regularly!
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