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Calling all Hummingbirds

Raindrop — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:03:45 +0000

As Spring unfolds, we’re noticing a flurry of activity amongst our backyard feathered friends, taking turns visiting the feeders and touching down on water feature for a quick splash or drink. My favorite time is first thing in the morning when I let the dog outside and listen to the symphony of song from a variety of birds. As of late I’m seeing hummingbirds more often, mostly the Rufous that migrate south in the winter and the Anna’s who sometimes stay in the Portland areas during milder winters.

In April we place hummingbird feeders in open areas near flowering plants. Best practice is to clean feeders and put out fresh nectar every 3-4 days.

Here are some favorite plants to attract hummers.

Bright red flowers attract hummingbirds.plant choices to attract Hummers include;

Aquilegia formosa, Columbine, with spring and summer blooms.
Weigela ‘Variegata’ blooms in spring with rosey red flowers and variegated foliage.
Penstemon x campanulatus ‘Garnet’ with wine red blooms all summer.
Salvia elegans, ‘Scarlet Pineapple’ covered with jewel red tiny blooms in summer and fall has pineapple scented foliage reaching 3-4′high – Stunning!
Alstroemeria ‘Butterscotch’ has a long bloom time, summer through fall. Even with the yellow orange color, the hummers frequently visit these plants.

With forethought and the right selections you can attract these charming and entertaining birds for more than half the year.

Signs of spring’s promise

Raindrop — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:19:33 +0000

With days getting longer, I take daily walks through the garden to find signs of spring awakening. I consider this less of a duty and more like a treasure hunt. They’re subtle but they’re out there. Blooms are peaking out from behind the leaves in late winter-blooming plants. Some of my favorites include the deep magenta blooms of Cyclamen coum, the intoxicating fragrances coming from Clematis armandii and Sarcacocca, the nodding heads of Hellebores. And this is just the beginning!

For me the garden season is year round, in February the buzz from the garden shows give me a jump start.

The Yard, Garden and Patio show opens Friday, February 17th and runs through the 19th. It’s held at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK,Jr Blvd. For more info go to www.ygpshow.com. Discount coupons are available at Dennis’ Seven Dees Garden locations at a discount of $5 off the door price.This show features elaborate showcase gardens with this year’s theme being “Seven Gardens of the World”.

Take some time to soak in the wonder and beauty of these amazing showcase gardens, don’t forget your camera noting inspiration for future projects.Take advantage of some free seminars, pick up some tips for successful vegetable gardens or how combat garden pests with natural measures. The Green Market is full of wonderfully tempting new varieties. Be sure to catch a presentation by Ahmed Hassan, celebrated Landscape designer and DIY network “Yard Crashers” host. His presentations are at noon and 4pm on Friday and Saturday and noon and 3pm on Sunday. It’s sure to be entertaining, don’t miss this one.

While you’re there stop in at the Wine Pavilion and Beverage Garden. This gives you a chance to enjoy a glass of wine or beer, listen to local musicians, relax a bit and regroup. These spaces as well as the stage backdrop for Ahmed Hassan were designed by Melinda Frey of Raindrop Garden Design in collaboration with Anne Taylor of Living Elements Landscape.

Enjoy the show and remember to wear comfortable shoes, you may be there a while!

Personalized Garden Design

Raindrop — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:08:23 +0000

Raindrop Garden Design offers personalized services to guide, inspire and support your vision for outdoor living spaces, fulfilling your needs and delighting you with possibilities.

The initial conversation is a fact finding mission, asking specific questions and listening carefully to your needs, priorities and dreams. Your input counts. You take ownership by being involved.

RGD brings to the table knowledge and hands on experience in choosing appropriate landscape components that will fit your aesthetics and your budget.

Plant palettes are composed of versatile, low maintenance plant material, many that offer year round interest with color, texture and form allowing you less time working and more time relaxing in your garden.

Promoting sustainable practices will produce a thriving eco system and provide wildlife habitat in your own backyard. You become part of the global solution.

Optional post design installation stewardship promotes communication, clarification and a team approach with contractors, homeowners and designer, assuring you of the outcome you want.

Let’s talk about ways to transform your yard into the garden of your dreams.

Featured in the Oregonian Home and Garden Section

Raindrop — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:00:31 +0000

Click on the following link to read the article featured in the Oregonian’s Home and Garden section, print date October 9, 2009

http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/09/gardening_with_pets_landscape.html