Hummingbird Approved Blooms

Sighting a hummingbird is cause for great excitement here at My Garden Path.  Fall and Winter seem to be the seasons for these speedy jewels to visit this garden.  Actually, there seems to be only one speedy jewel this year.



Senecio confusus, Mexican Flame Vine

Perhaps it is that this female Ruby-Throated hummingbird only sees enough of her favorite flowers blooming along the Path during the Fall season. 



Justicia brandegeana 'Fruit Cocktail'

December 21, 1990, is the first time I spotted a hummingbird here.  It was feeding on the bright red Tropical Hibiscus blooms which were just outside the guest bedroom window.  What a God-sent moment that was.  


Justicia brandegeana

I was helping my Mom into the bed for the first of many times.  She had rather suddenly been released from the re-hab center following a major stroke.  My Dad was in another hospital across town recovering from surgery.  There were three children living at home.  I needed to see that hummingbird.

Salvia elegans, Pineapple Sage

That little bird visited the Hibiscus bush every afternoon as I helped Mom get into bed for a nap.  Just like clockwork that iridescent jewel would appear. 

Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph'

Now, in an effort to encourage the return of hummingbirds each year,  a smorgasbord of hummingbird attracting blooms has been planted. 



Salvia purpurea

The bright reds and oranges of the firespike and flame vine may be the initial attraction for the hummingbird, but once in the garden other blooms seem to be just as enticing.  Purples, pinks and even whites are nectared from time and again.



Barleria cristata,Philippine Violet & Pentas lanceolata

Everytime I see the tiny hummingbird flitting among the flowers, I am reminded of God's care.

Odontonema strictum, Red Firespike


"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26

The Color of Pumpkins

Even though no pumpkins are grown here at My Garden Path, the color of pumpkins can be seen everywhere.  This beautiful fall weather has brought forth many bright orange blooms. 

The rising sun glows through these Mexican Flame Vine, Senecio confusus, blooms.  Twining around the arbor placed just outside the backporch, this vine draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. 

Blooms have been non-stop since late spring, but the cooler temperatures have ushered in a fresh flush of flowers.

More pumpkin colored blossoms are found on the Tecoma stans 'Orange Jubilee' planted against the back fence.  It's another continually flowering plant that has ramped up its production of blooms with the cooler days.

Trumpet shaped blooms attract the flying, flitting, and buzzing creatures that bring life to a garden.

Parrot Beak, Heliconia psittacorum, love their spot under the drip from the rooftop.  These rhizomes disappear when winter weather arrives, but as soon as spring warms the ground they come back and bloom beginning late summer through fall.

This colony grows larger every year and that is just fine with me.  Standing only two feet high they make a great groundcover for a shady spot in the garden. 

Many other flowers are just beginning to set buds now that it is fall.  There are red, purple and yellow blossoms getting ready to burst forth.  I hope you'll stop back by to see the rest of what fall brings to my garden. 

It's Hot In The Garden Today!

Everybody is feeling the heat of summer in the garden today. 

It's no wonder with these flaming orange zinnia blooms popping up all over.

This orange-on-orange combination of Gulf Fritillary butterfly on Mexican sunflower, tithonia rotundiflora, is scorching hot.

The bees are working the fiery orange flame vine, Senecio confusus, blooms.

It's even hot in the shady garden with these glowing 'orange marmalade', Crossandra infundibuliformis, flowers.

I never noticed that there are so many orange colored blossoms along My Garden Path.  I welcome them all to keep adding to the heat in my summer garden.