YOUR GUIDE TO COASTAL GARDENING

Bye, Bye Summer. Fall is officially here. I love Fall,
when the first cool front arrives, the sky is bright blue
and the air is crisp. When you can open all the windows
and let the cool breeze flow through your home.
It kicks off a season of sweaters, cider, holidays and
football. Add Fall Gardening and what could be better?
Fall was called “harvest” because of the “harvest
moon” that occurs when the full moon is closest to
the autumnal equinox. Before man-made lighting, this
moonlight was essential to a prosperous harvest. Fall
also brings the beautiful changing colors of leaves.
The yellow and orange colors you see actually always
exist in leaves but they are overpowered by the
abundance of green from chlorophyll. The amount of
chlorophyll starts to decrease as the sun weakens
and the days grow shorter.
Evergreen trees such as pines, cedars, and spruces
stay green because their leaves (needles) are covered
with thick wax and they contain materials that
prevent freezing when it gets cold.
This time of year, also brings in the Hummingbirds.
You probably have filled you’re your hummingbird
feeders with “RED” nectar in them, because they like
the color RED. Right…No wrong.
Well…not wrong exactly. Hummingbirds like red
but not any more than they like other colors. Hummingbirds
don’t care what color the flower…or feeder
might be. It’s all about the nectar not the color. AND
LOCATION! Hummingbirds pin the location of nectar
rich dining experiences into their internal GPS. Sort
of like humans when they find a good restaurant.
Many people use food coloring and processed sugar.
Don’t do that! Even if it wasn’t bad for the birds,
those feeders are a pain to keep filled and clean.
Planting a patch of hummingbird friendly plants is so
much easier and it’s much better for the birds.
Here’s a list of nectar rich plants that are sure to
make your home a hummingbird haven. Eventually.
Borage ~ Not only does borage attract happy hummingbirds,
this prolific herb also makes fantastic
companion plants for tomatoes and strawberries.
Annual ~ Needs Full Sun ~ Bloom Time- Late
spring through early summer. Staggering plantings
will ensure blooms all season long.
Columbine ~ These self seeding perennials come
in a huge variety of colors ranging from yellows to
blues to purples to pinks and yes, to reds. Hummingbirds
love them all.
Perennial ~ Full Sun/Partial Shade ~ Bloom time-
Spring to Early Summer
Lilies ~ Trumpet, martagon, oriental, day…white,
yellow, pink, red; it just doesn’t matter. Hummingbirds
love them all.
Perennial ~ Full Sun/Partial Shade ~ Bloom Time-
Ranges from early summer, to summer, to all season
long depending on variety you choose.
Delphinium ~ There are some short varieties
available but most delphiniums are tall. These beautiful
bloomers attract hummingbirds by the handfuls.
Perennial ~ Full Sun ~ Bloom Time- Early to Mid
Summer
Echinacea ~ The jury is out on whether this herb
cures the common cold, but we have proof positive
that hummingbirds love them. And I’ve never heard a
hummingbird sneeze. Have you?
Perennial~ Sun/Part Shade ~ Bloom Time- From
mid summer to fall.
2018 Holiday Gift Shop
The Texas City Garden Club will have its 47th Annual
Holiday Gift Shop on Saturday, December 2,
2018 at the Nessler Center, 2010 5th Avenue North
in Texas City from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Vendor booths are available.
If you would like to participate, please contact Nancy
Heard at 409-948-8497 or 409-771-5697
If you know of a “Spot of Beauty” let us know. Send
a picture and address to bbuffa1@gmail.com